Summertime in Gallup, NM, is here, which means more people are out in the sun all day. And even if you are careful, you can still get a sunburn. It can be challenging to cover every bit of exposed skin. Or, you may have forgotten to put sunscreen on or spent longer outside than you planned. Whatever the reason, if sunburn happens, it’s essential to know what to do. Get relief and soothe your skin with these tips for easing your sunburn.
Get Indoors ASAP
If you feel a sunburn happening, your first step is to get out of the sun. It is preferable to get indoors as soon as possible. However, if you cannot get indoors right away, try to get under some shade. In addition, you can put on a cover-up to reduce any additional sun exposure.
Cool Down Time
Sunburns can feel hot to the touch and can also make you feel warm within. A cool shower or bath can soothe the heat and give you a little pain relief. After getting out, pat — don’t rub — your skin with a towel. Finally, put on a moisturizer right away to help trap some of the water in your skin and combat dryness.
Moisturize It Soon and Often
Sunburns dry out the skin. Moisturizers with aloe vera are especially soothing and helpful. You can use hydrocortisone cream if you have a very bad or itchy area. One trick you can try is to put some aloe vera gel in an ice cube tray. Freeze little blocks and pop them out when hardened. Then, you have a soothing cool cube of aloe gel you can rub on your sunburn. But if this trick is too cold for you, you can also keep your aloe or another moisturizer in the refrigerator.
Get Some Pain Relief
Help your outer skin from the inside. Try taking some ibuprofen or other pain reliever. Sunburned skin can swell, and this adds to your discomfort. As a result, a pain reliever can reduce the swelling. Also, sunburns are drying, so drinking a little extra water can help to prevent dehydration.
Take Care of Any Blisters
Blisters are a sign that you may have gotten a second-degree sunburn. It can be difficult but try not to pop the blisters and let them heal.
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Stay Out of the Sun
While healing, you need to give your skin a chance to rest. Adding more sun exposure could prolong your recovery or even cause more damage. Of course, you may not be able to avoid going outside sometimes. Finally, wear clothing that covers the sunburned skin, and try to stick to shaded areas.
Even careful people get sunburns sometimes. Treat your sunburn seriously and care for your skin so you can get back out there to play.
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