You come to St. Augustine to lay out in the sun hoping to get a golden tan, but instead walk away from your lounge chair looking like a lobster that’s been left in the pot too long. Despite health warnings about sun damage, many of us still subject our skin to the sun’s burning rays. More than one-third of adults and nearly 70% of children admit they’ve gotten sunburned within the past year, according to the CDC. Here’s what you need to know about how to keep your skin safe and where to find sunburn relief if you do linger on your lounger too long.
Sunburn Causes and Symptoms
Sunburn is a type of skin damage caused by exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. The most common sunburn symptom is skin that is red and slightly painful to the touch. Most sunburns are either first-degree burns, which affect only the outer layer of skin, or second-degree burns, where skin may blister or become swollen. Depending on the degree of sunburn, it can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks to heal.
Sunburn Treatment
Sunburns are usually mild enough that they can be treated at home. Common treatments include placing a cool compress over the exposed area, taking aspirin or acetaminophen, and applying a cooling gel containing aloe vera to the affected skin.
Severe sunburn may be associated with fever, chills, weakness, and heat stroke or other heat-related illnesses. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, visit FM Medical Urgent for immediate medical care. Most importantly, always apply sunscreen before sun exposure, and stay out of the sun if you begin to notice any sunburn symptoms.
If you or your family member is experiencing severe swelling, dizziness, mental confusion, or trouble breathing, PLEASE CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY.
