How To Prevent & Treat Sunburns

 

 sunburn prevention ua

  

It’s official 1st day of summer started on Saturday. Living in Florida feels like everyday is summer. Today they said it would reach 90 degrees, yikes!  If outside activities do not involve water and cooling off this summer we are indoors.  When we are outdoors we have to take precautions. I have had too many family members have melanoma off their skin lately. Here is how sunburn can be prevented:

 

Protect 

 

 Sunblock should always be worn when outside and experts say that a SPF should be at least 30 or higher. The higher the numbers mean more coverage but keep in mind that no sunscreen can completely protect. SPF 30 filters about 97% of UVB rays, SPF 50 filters 98% and SPF filters about 99%. 

 

Don’t skimp on sunscreen. Dermatologist suggest that you need an ounce or so to cover your face and body.  Most people use only half that amount! 

 

I always thought it if was cloudy outside no problem no sunburns will happen but that is far from the truth. Up to 80% of the sun’s rays can penetrate through clouds and fog.

 

Do not forget to reapply sunscreen after being out in the sun for a few hours.  

 
The sun’s UV rays reflect off water and can increase the risk of sunburn. 
Between the hours of 10 am to 4 pm is when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Maybe enjoy outside activities before or after these hours or take shade.  Also make sure you use water -resistant sunscreen too!

 

Our family wears protective clothing when we are in the water.  I normally stock up after summer time (that is when the prices drop on summer wear) for the following summer purchasing a few of the swim shirts so that each of my children will have at least 2 shirts each.  

 
Wear hats and sunglasses to keep the sun off your face and out of your eyes. Sunglasses should be at 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB.

 
Skip tanning beds.  Some of these high pressure sunlamps give up to 12 times more than UVA light than that of the sun!

 

Treat

 

Pain can be treated with pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen. It will not stop up the healing process of the burn but it can help reduce swelling and redness. 

 
Pure aloe from either the plant or natural aloe found at the health store can help soothe the pain. I keep a bottle in our refrigerator at all times so that in case we do get burns the coldness feels good on the skin. 

 
Sunburn draws fluid to the skin surface and away from the rest of the body so make sure to drink lots of water. 

 

What about you are you keeping sunburn free this summer? 


Comments

  1. We try to avoid the worst hours and that seems to keep the burn down. That’s a good time of the day for a nap anyhow!

  2. I’m the worlds best at avoiding the sun. My skin just hates it. I always wear sunscreen. Shirts that breathe and grow a ton of aloe. Thank you for sharing such great tips.

  3. I always use aloe vera to treat sunburns. But you’re right – protection is the most important!

  4. Kelly Hutchinson says:

    We recently had 2nd degree sunburns because the kids went to a friends house and they did not remind the kids to put on sunscreen. It was so terrible to see them in such pain.

  5. Protection is so important. I always try to remember sunscreen when I go out.

  6. I had a wicked sunburn a few weeks ago and aloe really helped me with the pain!

  7. I admit that I try to conserve how much sunscreen I use because it’s pricey. I guess that’s not a good idea!

  8. It is so helpful to stay out of the sun during 11-2pm and/or stay covered with a hat/long sleeves. It all depends on your skin tone which varies even in our family. Love your tips to protect & prevent especially the aloe in the fridge.

  9. I always try to use sunblock when I know I am going to be in the sun for a long period of time and have no base color!

  10. I’m big about wearing sunscreen these days! I spent way too much time in the sun when I was young!

  11. We are in the sun a lot and I follow all the rules. We try to get out of the sun where we can but when you send time outdoors in the summer it’s bound to happen. Great tips!

  12. I’m so grateful for Aloe! I’ve had to use it too many times.

  13. I’m really good at applying the sunscreen. Horrible at remembering to reapply! We use an aloe blend with essential oils for any over sun expose to heal it up. It works great. But would be better to not get it in the first place.

  14. Although it doesn’t help heal the sunburn, I always take Ibu to help get rid of the pain! It’s also good to drink a lot of water!

  15. Sunburn is horrible and these are some great remedies that you share…

  16. Great tips, I’m usually diligent about sun protection but we’ve all failed from time to time!

  17. Paula Parker says:

    Good tips. I do good using the sunscreen, but I hate wearing hats and sun glasses. Thank for the encouragement.

  18. I am SPF user every day as I live in Florida and the sun is soo strong here.

  19. I have been burnt once already this year, luckily not bad and it went away by morning. I love Aloe!

  20. I try to cover up when I go outside as I have fair skin. My daughter got a sunburn the other day. Aloe has saved the day more than once!

  21. Prevention is absolutely key when it comes to sunburn. You can treat it, but it’s much easier and less painful to just avoid the burn altogether.

  22. Great tips … we’re so careful about skin protection in our home. I’d really like to prevent my kids’ from having any major sunburns.

  23. Sunburns are what I hate the most about summer, they completely ruin everything for me. Even with the best sunscreen I still manage to burn.

  24. I have learned the hard way to always reapply sunscreen! Once I had sun blisters in Mexico, I took sun safety more seriously.

  25. I am a stickler for sunscreen all year, but also making sure we have sunscreen with us, and hats and glasses!

  26. I really hope I can stay sunburn free this summer! I hate sunburn, and I know how bad it is for you.

  27. I use so much sunscreen , especially on the kids.

  28. Great tips!! I always seem to manage to burn even though I try to prevent. Mainly not reapplying is my mistake!

  29. Awesome tips… my son is sent to camp with a can of sunblock every day, yet the other day it was overcast, so he didn’t think he needed it before heading to the pool. Needless to say, he was a lobster that night and had to miss camp the next day… lesson learned… HA!

  30. I’m always trying to rub sunscreen on everyone, and after watching a documentary on the dangers of sunburns my son finally believes me and makes sure to be protected when in the sun!

  31. Great tips! Prevention is certainly key!

  32. Elisebet F says:

    I take sunblock with me everywhere! I’ve been burned too many times while living in Florida, plus I used to go to the tanning salon. I’m afraid I’ve already damaged my skin quite a bit, but hopefully I can keep it from getting worse.

  33. I didn’t realize ibuprofen would help. I did know about aloe. That stuff is a life saver!

  34. We’re pretty hardcore wen it comes to prevent sunburn. But we still end up with 1 or 2 every summer. lol

  35. I hate to say it, but I prevent sunburns by mostly just staying out of the sun. I have such fair skin and can actually get very sick if I spend too much in the sun that it has unfortunately made me kind of a hermit. These tips give me hope of enjoying the sun again. Thank you!

  36. I feel your sentiments 🙂 I live in Dubai where its perennially sunny. My best friend and a must to carry around is a SPF 60 lotion. It’s harsh to get sunburn and that’s painful too. Sunblock is a must!

    When we go to the beach and sometimes, I can be a little forgetful, I’ll end up with a painful sunburn. I usually put aloe vera gelly from Forever Living. Does the trick…

  37. My daughter (8) is just starting to learn to apply sunscreen herself. She got her first taste of a sunburn on the top of her legs and she learned about aloe! I hate sunburns, especially on kids.

  38. I always forget to put sunblock to my kids. They are always outside playing for long hours. So far they haven’t got sun burn yet but I won’t wait until they get one. Thanks for reminding me.

  39. I’ve noticed that no matter how many times I re-apply or regardless of high the SPF, I STILL get burnt 🙁
    I didn’t realize you need to use a whole once on yourself!

  40. Great tips on treating sunburns!! Thankfully we haven’t had any issues here (yet)!

  41. I get rashes in Direct Sun… Thanks or the tips to take care of Sunburns 🙂

  42. Drinking water truly helps and it’s also good for you. Great tips by the way. I don’t burn too easily but when I do it really hurts.

  43. Great tips! My husband leaves for basic training soon and we found out that even a sunburn could get him sent home!

  44. Great information! I will never understand why people use tanning beds!

  45. This is great information. Protecting ourselves from the sun is so important.

  46. We do sunscreen before getting dressed in the morning and lots of protective clothes. The kids wear rash guards almost all the time too

  47. Rebecca Parsons says:

    Sadly I burn bad because I am a fair skinned redhead I have to wear clothes that covers, lots of sunscreen and hats. I mostly tend to stay out of the sun a lot because I have had been burnt really bad.

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