It is summertime and many of us will be spending time outdoors. For those who don’t take precautions to protect their skin from the strong rays of the sun, the results can be unpleasant. Too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays may lead to sunburn.
Sunburn can cause irritation and pain to the affected areas. It is important to treat sunburns as soon as possible to help your skin heal and avoid further complications.
Here are a few tips on how to help heal sunburn:
- Take a cold bath or shower
- Drink plenty of water
- Use gel or cream containing ingredients such as aloe vera or calamine lotion on the affected area
- Take a pain reliever if necessary ( aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen )
- Avoid further exposure to the sun
- Never use creams that contain alcohol
If the sunburn is severe, especially in very young children, it may require medical attention. The signs of a severe sunburn are lethargy, high fever ( 101 degrees or higher ) and large blisters. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.