How to treat second degree sunburn?

Summer is upon us, and what better way to enjoy the warm weather than by soaking up all of that beautiful sunlight? Hours spent sunbathing on sandy beaches, sipping cocktails by the poolside or lying idly in your backyard under a thousand rays of the sun can be seemingly delightful. But with fun comes responsibility. Excessive exposure or negligence while sunbathing could lead you to experience unsightly burns as painful souvenirs. In this article, we’ll be discussing how you can treat second-degree sunburns effectively.

Understanding Second-Degree Sunburn

A second-degree sunburn occurs when more than one layer of skin gets affected through overexposure to UV radiation from tanning beds or natural sources like sunshine. The damage incurred extends beyond just having redness and pain around your tanned portions – it affects deeper skin layers.

Signs that indicate a severe case usually include:

  • Blisters forming on tanned areas
  • Discoloration
  • Swelling
  • Enhanced sensitivity accompanied with pain and mild dizziness

Immediate Actions To Take After A Burn

Suffering from terrible burns may leave you scouring for ways out; however, there are some simple steps you should take immediately after getting burned :

  1. Get Out Of Direct Sunlight: Staying within the direct path of sunlight could increase already substantial damage.

  2. Cool Your Skin Down: Since most heating sources cause different types of burn injuries, cooling off immediately with running water (or ice packs if not available) would help reduce swelling and ease down soreness induced by inflammation on body parts recently soaked under UV light waves.

Tip: Instead of using blankets or towels which would get stuck onto freshly burnt spots leading to further irritation – release pressure build-up present under blisters located around discoloration prone regions.

  1. Keep Your Body Hydrated: With significant dehydration leading to more fluid drawn from cells, replenishing the vital minerals and electrolytes within your body could enhance faster wound recovery.

  2. Apply Aloe Vera Gel : Using natural products like aloe vera cuts down soreness and promotes quicker healing with its antibacterial properties.

  3. If Needed Seek Medical Attention : In severe cases, where blister formations cover large portions of your skin together with associated dizziness or fainting spells you might require advanced medical attention.

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Ibuprofen or Aspirin, are effective for reducing pain and swelling that occurs due to sunburn; However, it is advisable to consult a medical professional before taking any medication because every individual’s strain tolerance differs. An overdose of these medications could lead to unwanted outcomes like stomach ulcers or nausea.

At-home treatment methods for second-degree Sunburns

While most people suggest avoiding home remedies at all costs when treating burns arising from exposure to excessive UV rays – there do exist DIY procedures that can be just as effective in mitigating harm by cooling off hazardous burns before they get worse beyond repair.

A.) Cold Compresses/Towels/Water Bottles:

Apply cold compresses wrapped in clean towels directly on burnt areas intermittently throughout the day will help keep heat levels under control reduce itching related irritants resulting from trapped sweat inside damaged skin area(s). Another alternative includes massaging burn sections using water bottles which got pre-frozen overnight – guaranteeing an excellent relaxing experience.

B.) Milk baths:

Milk comprises lactic acid acting as a gentle exfoliant helping remove dead skin cells formed around tanned locations following exposure without damaging fresh new tissue underneath them while simultaneously nourishing burned site(s) while washing away impurities enabling fast rejuvenating effects.

C.) Oatmeal baths:

The anti-inflammatory properties of oats (avenanthramides) and its ability to soothe inflamed skin have made it a top contender in treating sunburns for generations. Combine two cups of blended oatmeal into lukewarm bath water, soak yourself inside this mixture for 20 mins.

Tip: Do not rub tanned areas with cloths or loofahs but instead let the oatmeal get soaked into burning skin – further moisturizing that place & reducing inflammation naturally.

D.) Apple cider vinegar spray

Using apple cider vinegar as a spray is one way to relieve second-degree sunburn discomfort. The acetic acid present within apple cider vinegar restricts bacterial growth preventing infections from originating near burnt sites while simultaneously balancing levels of electrolytes in your system – offering lightning-fast relief without any consequences associated with conventional NSAID medication consumption.

Things To Avoid

  • Cooking oils, petroleum jelly or butter should be avoided at all cost since they can trap heat underneath causing blisters on previously sensitive site(s) resulting in severe infection.

    Tip: Choose lotions containing a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) to enhance protection against future harmful UV rays.

  • Taking hot showers or bubble baths induces warm elements harming already scarred regions by making skin feel tender and burn once again – hindering fast recovery and hence need avoiding entirely until healed

Conclusion :

As we discussed earlier, taking proper measures after experiencing second-degree sunburn would enable superfast wounds recoveries! Employing natural remedies alongside prescribed medicines could result in even less scarring than traditional methods like surgical grafting generating an effortless process towards feeling better quickly-paced recuperation whereby no further attention needed other than implementing few quick tips mentioned above!

Additional Information : Please note that reapplication every two hours if spending time outside under direct sunlight could go farther regarding how much sunburn your skin incurs. Hiding or wearing protective clothing pieces, e.g., hats and shades could create a significant difference to how much sunshine comes into contact with susceptible areas on the body – showing you the best trick in reducing exposure over time!

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