Learning About Sunburn
There're are few things worse than suffering from sunburn after a long, fun day in the sun. If you've never experienced this or aren't quite sure what it is, knowing such information can help you make the right choice in protecting your skin during the hot summer months.
As the name implies, sunburn is what happens when the UV rays from the sun penetrate through your skin, causing it to “burn” and eventually peel. This is your skin's way of reacting to ultraviolet radiation. Unfortunately, getting burnt by the sun isn't much fun and can be pretty unsightly if left untreated.
Common symptoms include... redness, swelling, tender/painful to the touch, peeling skin, and in severe cases, blisters.
While this condition is fairly common, there are a couple of ways you can treat it. The worst thing you can do is irritate your skin by rubbing, scratching, or picking at it. If you have blisters, leave them alone so they can heal properly. Soon as you get home, take a towel and run it under cold water and apply gently to the affected area or take a cool shower or bath. One popular treatment is to apply aloe vera gel. This product helps soothe the redness and offers some temporary relief, as well as guarding against infection. If you experience particularly painful burns then you may have to turn to an over-the-counter pain reliever.
It is important to practice good sun care for the simple fact that each time you get burnt you are putting yourself at risk for skin cancer, specifically melanoma. To avoid this, use a good quality sunscreen or sunblock. Additionally, wear protective clothing such as hats, and long-sleeved shirts. Don't forget to apply sunscreen or sunblock to areas that are often forgotten: ears, nose, back of the neck, feet, toes. If you know you'll be out in the sunlight for a while, take the necessary steps to keep sunburn from ruining your day.
