Sunburn is an acute cutaneous inflammatory reaction that follows excessive exposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation. Sunburn is literally a burn on your skin. It is a burn from ultraviolet radiation. The consequence of this burn is inflammation of the skin. Almost everyone has been sunburned or will become sunburned at some time. Anyone who visits a beach, goes fishing, works in the yard, or simply is out in the sun can get sunburn. Improper tanning bed use is also a source of sunburn. Sunburn can be life-threatening and is a leading cause of skin cancer. Sunburn can easily be prevented through the use of sunscreen, clothing, and by limiting solar exposure, especially during the middle of the day.



Sunburn normally only affects the outer most layer of our skin and in extreme and repeat prolonged sun exposure may result in secondary burns and blistering.

Ultraviolet light causes changes in the surface and in the deeper layers of the skin. It reduces the stretchiness of the skin and can cause premature aging and wrinkling of the skin, as well as the formation of age spots. Some other symptoms of sunburn are fever, chill, nausea, vomiting, rash, flu and skin loss.

Apply soothing lotions that contain aloe vera to sunburned areas. Topical steroids may also help with sunburn pain and swelling. Note: Do not use the cream on children younger than age 2 unless your doctor tells you to. Do not use in the rectal or vaginal area in children younger than age 12 unless your doctor tells you to.

Apply a moisturizing cream, aloe or 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to affected skin. A low-dose (0.5 percent to 1 percent) hydrocortisone cream may decrease pain and swelling, and speed up healing.

For mild sunburn, cool compresses with equal parts of milk and water may suffice. You may also use cold compresses with Burow solution. You can buy this at a drugstore. Dissolve 1 packet in 1 pint of water. Soak gauze or a soft clean cloth in it. Gently wring out the cloth and apply to the sunburned area for 15-20 minutes. Change or refresh the cloth and solution every 2-3 hours.

Melanin in our skin protects the skin from harmful ultra violet rays. But when the amount of exposure to ultra violet rays exceeds the ability of melanin to protect the skin, it results in sunburn. The skin is more exposed to scorching sun while working outdoors, swimming, skiing, and hiking and hence chances of sunburn increase. Certain factors like consumption of birth control pills and antibacterial agents used in soaps make our skin more prone to sunburn.

If you have to be outside during this hour, try to wear a hat, sunglasses that protect your eyes from UV rays, and clothing made of light colored, light weight, tightly woven material.

Lubricants such as petroleum jelly or butter may feel good but they actually cause the skin to retain heat and should not be applied on the first day. Products with benzocaine may provide temporary relief but can aggravate irritated skin and ultimately delay healing.

Vinegar on the sunburn dose wonders...the reason people say mustard is it is a lil easyier to keep mustard from driping... if you soak a rag in vinager and aply it to the sum burn this will work. Never put anything with oils on the burn, this will only make it worse.