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AVOIDING AND DEALING WITH SUNBURN

With summer temperatures here, a few precautions can help you avoid the pain and damage caused by sunburn.

Everyone enjoys being outside more during the warmer months of the year.   And, of course we all want the healthy glow that a tan gives you.   But too much exposure to the sun without using protection can lead to sunburn.   Besides being painful, sunburn puts your skin at risk for developing cancer and ages you prematurely. First-degree burn is a typical sunburn with scaling of the skin, where you usually peel a couple of days later. Second-degree burns are blisters on the skin. And severe second-degree burns can result in scarring, fluid loss - even chills and fever that can lead you to the emergency room!   So much for a relaxing, fun filled day at the beach.

Your best bet is to take precautions to avoid getting sunburned in the first place.   Here are the best steps to take:

•  Sunscreen- Make applying sunscreen part of your morning routine.   This is especially important if you live in a sunny climate like California or Florida. Put it on after you shower or brush your teeth.   It takes the amount of one ounce, or a shot glass full, to cover your entire body. If one bottle of sunscreen takes you from June past Labor Day, you're not using enough!   You MUST wear a minimum of SPF 15, AND you also have to use sunscreen correctly. That means putting it on at least15 to 20 minutes before you go outside.   Be sure to cover all areas of the body- including your scalp.   Reapply after 2- 3 hours depending on how much you've been in the water and the amount of perspiration you experience. 

•  Cover up with clothing- Wear dry, tightly woven, loose fitting clothing over your sunscreen.   You can also purchase clothing that has "built in" sun protection from athletic stores, or you can wash your clothes once a month in Sunguard and add SPF to them.

•  Hat- Wearing a wide brimmed hat provides extra protection for your face and scalp.  

If you slip up on taking these precautions and find yourself with a burn, here are some things you can do to help alleviate the pain.

•  Keep the skin super moist so it won't peel. Aloe gels and after-sun moisturizers are a must!

•  Apply topical vitamin C and other antioxidants to inhibit free-radical damage (which acts like explosions in the skin) and causes aging.

•  AVOID calamine lotion because it dries the skin out and makes the whole thing worse .

•  A cool baking soda bath soothes sunburned skin. Just sprinkle it generously into tepid bathwater and soak for 15 minutes or so.   Instead of drying off with a towel, 
let the solution dry on your skin. Air-drying will make you feel cooler, too.

•  Take aspirin or Tylenol to help reduce inflammation and block some of the pain.

Obviously, your best bet is to take the necessary precautions to avoid being burnt in the first place.   A tan may look great, but a burn is too painful to be attractive.

For more information on avoiding sunburn and how to soothe one, check out these links.

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