Although ideally, it is best to avoid sunburn, when they do occur, management is key to giving the skin an opportunity to attempt recovery. Read more...
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Aloe vera for sunburn relief
Coconut oil's potential for sunburn relief
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What is a sunburn?
Sunburns are the result of spending time exposed to UV radiation primarily from the sun. Artificial UV exposures can occur with tanning beds as well. Sun poisoning is a result of how extensive the sunburn is. Sunburns that are extensive and/or deep in the skin will make it more difficult for your body to regulate temperature. When this occurs, symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, and malaise can kick in.
Is it the heat from the sun that causes the burn?
Sunburn is a term applied to our skin’s response to excess UV exposure. It may be better referred to as a UV burn as there is a misconception that it is the heat associated with the sun that triggers the burn as opposed to UV.
The sun emits 3 main types of energy:
Light
Thermal
UV
It is actually the UV exposure that triggers an erythema or inflammatory response in the skin that sets off a chain of events including vasodilation, swelling, and potential blisters. This can occur on cloudy days when light is blocked by clouds, it can occur on ice cold days at high altitudes even while skiing when thermal heat is reduced.
How long does it take to get a sunburn?
The amount of time it takes to develop a sunburn depends on multiple factors. The intensity of the UV, the amount of melanin in our skin, the use of any products -- oral or topical, altitude, time of day, etc. all play a role. I have had some patients tell me they experience a sunburn within 10 minutes of UV exposure and others after over an hour. This varies widely.
How long can a sunburn last?
The duration of a sunburn can vary based on the intensity of exposure. For most the initial erythema and swelling response will last for about 3-4 days followed by peeling of the skin referred to as desquamation. Think of this phase as when the redness and swelling start to subside, the skin that had been inflamed has to go somewhere and it will start to shed or peel.
For skin of color, I often find that the initial redness may not be as obvious although discomfort may be felt. The peeling or shedding phase follows a few days later. I often see patients at this stage if they are not familiar with what to expect. Patients may be concerned that they recall pain or discomfort associated with their skin for a couple of days and then worry when the peeling starts to occur as they may not be familiar with sunburns and did not identify themselves as having one given the lack of obvious redness.
If blisters were associated with the sunburn, these can take upwards of a week to resolve. Try to avoid excess UV exposure for at least 2-3 weeks to give your skin a chance to heal completely. Of course, remember to wear sunscreen to protect your skin effectively to avoid a future burn.
Don't sunburns only happen at the beach?
Although it’s true that while we are on vacation we may spend prolonged time outdoors, the irony that I have noted after 15 years of performing thousands of skin cancer screenings annually is that most people are actually careful about wearing sunblock while at the beach or the pool. The vast majority of the sunburns I see in practice are the ones that occur when we simply are not thinking about sun exposure. Most of the burns I see in people who are otherwise careful about wearing sunblock occur in April or May while out watching a game, out for a walk or hike, etc. The temperatures are still somewhat cool so most are not thinking about wearing sunscreen. The UV intensity can still be significant resulting in a burn.
What are the first steps to managing a sunburn?
When it comes to managing a sunburn, the first step is focusing on reducing swelling and progression of the burn, soothing the discomfort associated with the burn, and healing in any blisters or eroded areas that develop from skin sloughing after a burn. NSAIDs and anti inflammatories can help with the first stage and even potentially steroid creams or oral if severe. Soothing discomfort and reducing redness is a great place for aloe to play a role. And, lastly coconut oil may be better used later in management to help protect and restore the skin as it heals in.
Aloe Vera Gel for Sunburn Relief
Aloe vera gel is a popular remedy for sunburn. Aloe is known for its affordability, accessibility, and effectiveness. Practical experience by patients and studies have shown its efficacy in soothing sunburns by reducing inflammation and redness, thus promoting faster healing. Aloe is easy to find at drugstores and discount department stores and worth keeping in your beach bag for quick relief.
Coconut Oil's Potential for Sunburn Relief
While coconut oil is commonly used for various skin conditions like eczema, its effectiveness in treating sunburns is less studied. However, it exhibits some anti-inflammatory properties and may offer mild sun protection by blocking approximately 20% of UV rays, but difficult to say if this is UVA or UVB rays. Remember that this is not consistently seen with use and cannot be relied upon for UV protection alone.
Best Practices for Managing Sunburn
Managing sunburn involves several steps to alleviate symptoms and promote healing. Initially, focus on reducing swelling and inflammation with NSAIDs or anti-inflammatories. Aloe vera gel can then be applied to soothe discomfort and minimize redness. Later in the healing process, coconut oil may help protect and restore the skin.
When is it time to see a doctor with a sunburn?
If you are experiencing any discomfort or symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, or malaise it is important to see your doctor. It is important to understand that our body’s response to a burn is not limited to the skin and can impact other organs.
What are the best steps to take to avoid a sunburn?
In trying to prevent a sunburn, it is most important to consider a full sun safety plan. Sunblock, hats, sunglasses, and sun-safe clothing is key to protecting your skin effectively.
I recommend sunblocks with physical agents such as zinc or titanium. These ingredients block the sun. Chemical sunscreens absorb the UV. The problem with this concept is that chemical sunscreens have a limit to how much UV they can absorb. Once they hit their maximal absorption the rest of the UV spills over to the skin.
Hats should be labeled as UV protective and ideally have a 3-inch brim all the way around. The problem with baseball hats (which most prefer) is that they do not protect the back of the scalp, tops of the ears, and neck.
Sunglasses should also be labeled as UVA and UVB blocking. The problem here is that tinted does not mean UV blocking. If a UV filter is not present then you can be placing your eyes at higher risk. The tint will cause your pupils to dilate and if the sunglasses do not block UV you may be getting more UV exposure than you realize!
Sun-safe clothing is the most important step in preventing sunburns and sun poisoning. The largest surface area of our body is covered by clothing and choosing the right clothing is key. Much like with sunglasses, clothing that is not labeled as sun protection may be giving you a false sense of security. The UPF of a white T-shirt can be as low as a 3! I have a patient who saw me after returning from Costa Rica- he applied sunblock all over except where his swim trunks were (he assumed his swim trunks would protect against UV). This is awful but the only place he burned was under his swim trunks! It is also important to use sun-safe clothing that does not use chemical finishes to achieve sun protection to minimize the chances that these special treatments wash out in the washing machine over time.
In summary, aloe vera gel and coconut oil offer potential relief for sunburns, with aloe vera being particularly effective in reducing inflammation and discomfort. Incorporating these remedies into your sunburn management routine can help expedite the healing process and restore skin health.
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