Sunburn relief and treatment using over-the-counter self-care pharmacist's recommendation

Let's act fast to slow down this damaging effect on your skin.

The goal of managing sunburn would be to:

Relieve pain and inflammation.
Prevent dehydration by keeping hydrated.
Moisturize the skin.
Protect the skin from more damage.
Reduce the risk of infection.
Stay away from the sun for a while.

With this in mind, let's use this to take care of this sunburn.

Lady with a sunburn

To Start With...

Move and stay away from direct sunlight, preferably go indoors or under a shade.

Cool the skin by:
- sponging it with cool water or
- a cool shower for about 10 minutes or
- a cool compress with a wet towel

Drink plenty of water.

Moisturize

1. Aloe vera

This will provide a soothing effect, increase skin healing and protect the skin against moisture loss.

What to look out for in choosing a good aloe vera gel:

Watch out for a sales ploy of 100% gel. This is not the same as 100% aloe vera gel.

Also 100% natural, is not the same as 100% natural aloe vera gel. These usually contain other natural ingredients.

A gel with vitamin E is preferred to reduce any stinging effect.

Usually the more expensive the gel, the better. If you want 100% aloe vera gel, you will need to use the plant. Get it from the supermarket.

2. After sun soothers:

These contain aloe vera mixed with other soothing ingredients.

They will soothe the skin, moisturize it and reduce the feeling of the skin feeling tight.

Good products are Burt's Bees® and Hawaiian Tropics® after sun products.

If itchy

1. Calamine lotion.

2. Sarna lotion for cooling effect.

3. Hydrocortisone 1% applied to very inflamed areas only. Do not apply this to a large area.

Pain and inflammation

NSAIDs

Ibuprofen or naproxen will help with pain and inflammation. Take as soon as possible.

Acetaminophen

Take this if you cannot take ibuprofen or naproxen. NSAIDS should be the first choice.

Last updated by pharmacist on : 09/08/2018

Know this about the safe and effective use of this recommendation.

Our disclaimer

Recommendation is the opinion of a registered US Pharmacist currently practicing as a community pharmacist.
Recommendation is not an attempt to discuss all possible self care or treatment approach to this health challenge.
The responsibility of the recommending pharmacist is limited to this question:
"If a patient presents with these symptoms, what will you recommend and why?"
It is not an attempt to publish an article on the treatment of any condition. Just what would you tell a patient who present with so and so in the usual course of your practice.
The pharmacist image presented in this article may or may not be the actual image of the authoring pharmacist.
Because we insist on using articles written by currently practicing community pharmacists, these pharmacists may choose to remain anonymous especially if they are employed by an employer to avoid being pressured to recommend a particular product to drive sales.
Please read the policies and terms of use for self-care OTC, selfcarepharmacist.com and it's affiliates by clicking on the button below.

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