Sunburn

Living in Australia means that we have had the importance of not getting sunburnt taught to us. However whether it is because people don’t know they are burning or a variety of other reasons some of us still manage to get sunburnt. Sunburn can start from as little as 15 minutes in the sun even if the harm is not noticeable till later. Usually by the time you realise you are burnt it is too late, as redness to the skin can be delayed and may take 2-6 hours to appear after the burn has begun. In fact the redness can continue to develop for up to 72 hours, while pain from the sunburn is usually most extreme from 6 to 48 hours after exposure. In severe cases of sunburn the pain can be terrible and may require hospital care.

While the damage caused by sunburn is permanent there are things you can do to help relieve the discomfort and the sooner you start the more effective the healing process will be.

● Drink plenty of water. As well as being sunburnt you are possibly dehydrated, but avoid really cold drinks which can cause chills. Avoid alcohol as it can cause further dehydration and can also increase the temperature of your skin.
● Cool compresses.
● To help with the pain of a sunburn it may be recommended to take paracetamol or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) such as ibuprofen. These will also help to reduce your body temperature.
● Aloe Vera and vitamin E containing products are helpful in reducing inflammation, have a cooling effect on the sunburn and put moisture back into the skin beneath the burnt skin.
● Take frequent cold showers or baths and avoid soap products as they may irritate the skin further. Use a soap-free alternative instead.
● Stay out of the sun until your sunburn has finished healing.

When you get sunburnt your cells have absorbed UV radiation, meaning that the genetic structure of the cells has been damaged. This increases the risk of skin cancer (including melanoma) and premature wrinkling that cannot be reversed. This is why prevention is much better than cure.

For further information, please ask our friendly staff in-store where they can help you with all your healthcare needs.

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