With the arrival of summer and the warmer temperatures, the most common nightmare experienced by those who throw themselves to the sea and poolside is sunburn. It is often seen that especially white-skinned people cannot tan for once without reaching the consistency of a ‘lobster’.

Sunburn is a skin problem that occurs as a result of excessive exposure of the skin to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun and manifests itself in the form of redness, pain, burning and stinging. In severe burns, the treatment may not heal before a few days, and it is possible that the skin affected by the sun will dry and peel afterwards. There are many products for sale. It is very important to choose and apply the right one of these products according to the type and color of the person’s skin. Fair skinned people should prefer high factor products. Despite high factor products, high-hazard ultraviolet rays cannot be prevented at certain hours. In order for the body to receive minimum damage from these rays, attention should be paid to the hours of sun exposure. Experts explain that excessive exposure to the sun between 11:00 and 15:00 can cause serious diseases such as skin cancer. During these hours, the sun should be avoided as much as possible and protective measures should be taken. It is important that the skin is clean and well moisturized before tanning. This is important not only for the health of the skin, but also for the quality of the tan.

If these measures are not taken, the person may face sunburns, which can cause a lot of trouble. The burn that occurs in the sunburned area is not much different from the burns that occur as a result of contact with boiling water or fire. Depending on the degree and severity of the burn, it may be necessary to be treated at home or in a health institution. Sunburns that occur suddenly and cause severe pain and wounds are the most dangerous types of burns and should be treated in a burn center or by a specialist dermatologist. Emergency services also have the capacity and authority to provide first aid to sunburns. There are several treatments that can be applied at home for milder burns as well;

• The content of products such as lotions and creams that are applied to the skin to moisturize it should be paid attention to. It is more correct to use medicines obtained by consulting the pharmacy.
• The best way to relieve pain is to wet the burned area with cold water with the help of a sponge.
• The burned area should not be rubbed. Manual intervention should be as little as possible. If the clothes worn on the burned area are slightly wet, the pain can be reduced.
• Plenty of water should be drunk to compensate for the fluid lost by the body.
• To relieve the pain of sunburns, creams that numb the area for a short time can be found in pharmacies.
• Experts state that cucumber to be applied to the burned areas is also beneficial.
• Painkillers can be used to relieve pain, but aspirin, which causes blood thinning, is not recommended.

The Best Ways to Avoid Getting Sunburn

Sunburns are the result of over exposure to UVB rays from the sun. They cause the skin to redden and blister, damaging the outer protective layers of the skin. Just one bad sunburn can lead to long-lasting damage to the skin and increase the risk for skin cancer.  According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one out of five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

Prevention is the best way to avoid sunburn. These tips will help when you’re outdoors.

1. Avoid the sun during peak hours of 10 am – 2 pm.
2. Seek shade.
3. Wear clothing with UPF protection (ultraviolet protection factor) UPF 50+ helps block 98% of UVA/UVB rays.
4. Wear sunglasses with UV protection.
5. Wear a wide-brimmed hat.
6. Always apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going outdoors, even on a cloudy day. It takes approximately 15 minutes for your skin to absorb the sunscreen and protect you.
7. Use sunscreen year round. Some of the worst sunburns have occurred in the winter.
8. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen which protects you from both UVA and UVB rays.
9. Use a sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or higher.
10. Use a sunscreen that is water resistant (40-80 minutes).
11. Use plenty of sunscreen. An adult should use about 1 oz. of sunscreen to cover exposed areas of the skin (equal to a shot glass).
12. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming or excessive sweating.
13. Be sure to apply sunscreen to vulnerable areas such as ears, neck, and top of feet.
14. If your hair is thinning or your head is bald, apply sunscreen to your scalp.
15. Take sunscreen with you wherever you go.
16. Don’t use expired product.
17. Don’t forget to protect your face!

Remember, people who get sunburns don’t protect themselves with proper measures. They leave their skin vulnerable by not wearing protective clothing and usually don’t apply enough sunscreen, didn’t reapply after being in the sun or water or use expired product. Don’t forget that UVB rays can reflect from surfaces such as ice, snow, and sand and increase UV exposure. UVA rays can penetrate through glass, such as your car window.

Tips to treat sunburns

For those who have already experienced sunburn, there are several steps you can take to alleviate the symptoms and promote healing such as:

In severe cases of sunburn, a dermatologist may prescribe topical or oral medications to help alleviate symptoms and promote healing. They may also recommend regular skin checks to monitor for any signs of skin cancer.