In an article published in The New York Times, experts offered tips to soothe sunburned skin. The experts stressed that individuals should know the differences between the two different types of sunburns: first-degree sunburns, which damage the epidermis and result in redness, pain, and swelling; and second-degree sunburns, which affect the dermis and are more severe, causing blistering. When individuals get second-degree sunburns, the dermis becomes separated and inflammatory fluid develops, causing the skin to bubble up. As sunburns damage the skin cells’ DNA over time, they may eventually lead to skin cancer. Receiving multiple sunburns at any age can double an individual’s risk for melanoma. To combat sunburns, experts recommended that individuals:
- Drink enough water to keep the skin hydrated and ensure that the skin is cool and moisturized. Sunburns can increase the blood flow to the skin and cause dehydration. Individuals were advised to take cool showers or baths or use chilled compresses but avoid using ice packs because the extreme cold could injure the skin even more.
- Keep the area clean using soap and water if blistering occurs. Individuals can drain the fluid from the blister with a sterilized needle. However, they should avoid ripping the blister off because exposing the underlying tissue can make the wound vulnerable to infection.
- Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to avoid getting a sunburn or making a sunburn worse and reapply every 2 hours. For extra protection, individuals should wear a wide-brimmed hat, cover the sunburned area with ultraviolet protective clothing, and stay in the shade as much as possible.