How to stop sunburns quickly

The only thing worse than an incredibly painful sunburn? Incredibly painful, itchy sunburn.

You can get itchy for all kinds of reasons, but it's often the way your body tells you that your skin or nerve cells are struggling with a problem.

"Itching is a sign of inflammation, which is your body's response to an injury, such as a sunburn," explains Lisa Chipps, MD, a certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, California, and a spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation. After an ugly sunburn, the outermost layer of your skin dries (and may even peel) to help promote new healthy skin cells on the surface.

The problem? Scratching a sunburn is not only painful, but can also increase the risk of infection and scarring, says Dr. Chipps. Light sunburns often go away in a few days, but the most severe cases can last up to two weeks – which can seem like an eternity when you have to deal with an itch that you can not scratch.

Although the degree of itching varies from person to person, says Dr. Chipps, some people are more likely to experience a particularly intense itch after the sunburn called "itchy hell" ". Although this only concerns a small percentage of the population, the symptoms are described as an uncontrollable and relentless itch that comes in waves within 48 hours after a sunburn, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

But the worst thing to do is give in to temptation. Although scarring an itchy sunburn is nice, it only increases the inflammation and further damage the skin, which makes the itch worse, says Dr. Chipps.

How to stop sunburns quickly

Itchy sunburns should be relieved as soon as the skin heals and you can take some steps to speed up the process.

Use mild moisturizers

Dr. Chipps recommends covering your skin with bland, unscented moisturizing creams containing moisturizing and soothing ingredients, such as ceramides, oat extract, aloe vera and vitamin E (provided you do not have any known allergies or sensitivities). or oil-based products because they can trap heat in the skin.

Then try the technique of soaking and smearing, says Jules Lipoff, MD, Board Certified Dermatologist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Dermatology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. Simply apply your body lotion, such as CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion, to damp skin after prolonged soaking in a cold bath for 10 to 20 minutes to retain moisture in the skin.

Apply the hydrocortisone cream

The application of an over-the-counter topical steroid, such as a 1% hydrocortisone cream, can help reduce inflammation, soothing a sunburn causing itching, says Dr. Lipoff. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, avoid products containing benzocaine or other ingredients ending in "-caine" because they can be irritating.

Reaching over-the-counter medications

Because itching can increase as your skin heals, topical treatments are not always enough to find relief. In this case, taking an over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help calm the itching and pain. Antihistamines, such as Benadryl or Zyrtec, can also help relieve itchy sunburns. Just make sure you choose non-sleepy options during the day.

Try a fresh compress

Fresh compresses, baths and showers feel incredibly good on hot, irritated skin. Dr. Lipoff also recommends keeping your favorite moisturizers in the fridge so they are cold when applied to your body.

Stay hydrated

You are more likely to become dehydrated after sunburn as your body tries to compensate for the loss of skin fluid. As soon as you notice that you are burned, drink water and even sports drinks to replenish your electrolytes, says Dr. Chipps. Continue to drink excess fluids until you no longer have sunburn.

How to prevent itchy sunburn

The best way to prevent itchy sunburn is to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun. "A sunburn may seem like temporary irritation, but it can cause lasting skin damage," says Dr. Chipps, including premature aging and skin cancer, including melanoma.

Therefore, while enjoying the good weather, stay in the shade when possible, wear protective clothing where possible (such as camouflage, hat and sunglbades) and always use a screen Broad spectrum solar with an SPF of 30 or higher. . Always renew the application every two hours and after swimming or sweating. Check out our favorite choices approved by dermatologists below:

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