ferian, tailen, and myself hit the beach this past weekend. It was a combination of being slammed face-first into the beach by 5-6 foot waves during the day and drunken insane fun during the evenings. :-) I'll post pictures soonish.
Despite the use of SPF 30 suntan lotion, however, Tailen and I have rather painful sunburn on our backs. Anyone have any suggestions for how to treat sunburn?
When you get down to the mechanics, there is no difference between a sunburn and a burn from touching something hot. It's a thermal burn, treat it as such. I know we covered this in the first aid class :)
Seriously. Cool running water to reduce the heat of the burn and aloe to keep it moisturized. Solarcaine with Aloe might be in order -- the lidocaine or benzocaine in it will give you some relief from the pain.
There are after exposure remedies on the market at your local drug store, but since not all are carried, here's a recipe for one I have found extremely useful.
Ingredients:
100% pure Aloe gel * Ensure there is NO ALCOHOL of any kind listed in the contents! * If you can't find 100% pure, use whatever brand uses the least number of chemicals and additives.
Glycerin Vitamin E oil
Here's the mix I've found most effective: 1/3 to 1/2 cup Aloe gel 1 tbsp. Glycerin 1 droplet Vitamin E oil
This mix has kept me from peeling a number of times, and it has turned a burn into a tan nearly as many. I recommend using it ASAP. If you wait, the damage and pain will be worse than if you treated it right away.
Coppertone Sport Lotion SPF 50 is a good preventative for next time. I've worn that for 10 hour visits to a water park. Stands up fairly well to water. The only thing better is paint.
Make sure to apply it liberally everywhere. Even things you don't think of. Tops of your feet if you're wearing sandals. Your head. Are you sure your swimwear is 100% UV opaque? Yes, there too.
To hell with the lanocain, and novocain and other crap. Take 2 ibuprofin every 4 hours or so. They work on sunburn pain as well as other pain. THEN worry about keeping your body slathered in moisturiozer or numbing gels.
Drink LOTS of water. Take cool showers. Wear clothing that will wick moisture away. In the future, slather each other in spf30, make sure you get everywhere. If missing parts wasn't a problem, then you need to get more sun in general. Your body does build up a tolarance over time, it's called a base tan. You shouldn't lose that if you can help it.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-16 12:45 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-16 12:52 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-16 12:53 am (UTC)Or plenty of aloe and drink tons of water and consider taking some ibuprofen when the pain gets really bad.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-16 12:54 am (UTC)Seriously. Cool running water to reduce the heat of the burn and aloe to keep it moisturized. Solarcaine with Aloe might be in order -- the lidocaine or benzocaine in it will give you some relief from the pain.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-16 01:21 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-16 01:50 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-16 01:59 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-16 03:02 am (UTC)Ingredients:
100% pure Aloe gel
* Ensure there is NO ALCOHOL of any kind listed in the contents!
* If you can't find 100% pure, use whatever brand uses the least number of chemicals and additives.
Glycerin
Vitamin E oil
Here's the mix I've found most effective:
1/3 to 1/2 cup Aloe gel
1 tbsp. Glycerin
1 droplet Vitamin E oil
This mix has kept me from peeling a number of times, and it has turned a burn into a tan nearly as many. I recommend using it ASAP. If you wait, the damage and pain will be worse than if you treated it right away.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-16 03:41 am (UTC)Coppertone Sport Lotion SPF 50 is a good preventative for next time. I've worn that for 10 hour visits to a water park. Stands up fairly well to water. The only thing better is paint.
Make sure to apply it liberally everywhere. Even things you don't think of. Tops of your feet if you're wearing sandals. Your head. Are you sure your swimwear is 100% UV opaque? Yes, there too.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-16 04:41 am (UTC)Drink LOTS of water. Take cool showers. Wear clothing that will wick moisture away. In the future, slather each other in spf30, make sure you get everywhere. If missing parts wasn't a problem, then you need to get more sun in general. Your body does build up a tolarance over time, it's called a base tan. You shouldn't lose that if you can help it.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-16 12:11 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-16 01:03 pm (UTC)Base tan? Hahahahaha.
That was the first time I was at the beach since 2001.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-16 01:03 pm (UTC)Shall we send you the pics? :-)
(no subject)
Date: 2007-07-16 01:07 pm (UTC)