Sunburn Treatment Specialist Q&A

When treating a mild sunburn at home, the focus will be to reduce any aching or tenderness to the skin as well as swelling. To reduce discomfort associated with the skin feeling hot or sensitive, frequent cool baths or showers are proven to provide temporary relief. The application of a moisturizer containing aloe vera or soy to the sunburned skin will provide further relief for hot, sensitive skin. If the sunburned area starts to swell or is causing further discomfort, consider taking aspirin or ibuprofen for relief. Lastly, drinking plenty of water will help to support the recovery process, reduce inflammation or swelling caused by sunburns, and replenish any fluids, as sunburns also often cause dehydration.

The very occasional mild sunburn that can be treated at home is not considered to be a serious medical situation, but more severe sunburns can lead to blistering and much more intense symptoms that may require medical attention. Some other symptoms that are common when suffering from a severe sunburn include dehydration, fatigue, the development of fever and chills, nausea, confusion, and sometimes infection. If you are prone to repeated sunburns and do not properly protect your skin, there are long-term effects that will often develop even years down the road. Those who repeatedly get sunburns are more prone to developing premature wrinkling but are also at an increased risk of developing melanoma, which is the most dangerous type of skin cancer, even years after suffering from regular sunburns. Frequent sunburns, even if they are minor, during childhood or adolescence can quickly increase the risk of developing melanoma at some point in adulthood, so while the odd, very minor sunburn is easy to treat and goes away quickly, regularly having sunburns can end up being very serious.

The more severe the sunburn, the longer it will take to be completely healed. Mild sunburns that only result in redness and some tenderness can take 3 to 5 days before the redness has completely disappeared and the body is considered to be fully healed. Moderate sunburns are often a bit more sensitive, swollen, red, and hot to the touch, typically taking a few days to heal, followed by a couple of more days of peeling. Severe sunburns will be significantly more painful and will often lead to blistering of the skin. They can take multiple weeks to be fully healed and sometimes require medical attention if there is a risk or development of an infection. Patients who suffer from severe sunburns will likely need to at the very least stay home and rest for a day or two to fully recover, as they will also be feeling physically unwell.

It is common for a sunburn to eventually fade from the distinct redness into a slightly darker complexion than the previous skin tone. Still, the degree to which people tan heavily varies from person to person, with many individuals noticing significantly darker complexions after recovering from very mild sunburns. Some individuals see almost no difference in complexion tone after the redness has completely dissipated. Any tan that does result from sunburn is just another indication that damage has been done to the skin cells from exposure to UV rays, so going out into the sun to get a sunburn with the intention of developing a tan will just result in more damage being done to the skin and increase the risk of developing premature wrinkles and skin cancers. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Bulverde Rd San Antonio TX, Windcrest TX, Selma TX, Bastrop TX, Paige TX, Smithville TX, Alamo Ranch San Antonio TX, Leon Valley TX, Helotes TX, La Grange TX, Rabbs Prairie TX, Halsted TX, Leon Springs TX, Fair Oaks Ranch TX, Cross Mountain TX, New Braunfels TX, Hunter TX, Zorn TX, Potranco Road San Antonio TX, Rio Medina TX, Rolling Oaks Estates TX, Dripping Springs, TX, Saddletree Ranch TX, Belterra TX, Lemon Creek Boerne TX, Scenic Oaks TX, Fair Oaks Ranch TX, Belle Chasse LA, Timberlane LA, Woodmere LA, and surrounding areas.