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First Aid & Emergencies

Call 911 NOW if you are having:

  • Chest Pain
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Severe Bleeding
  • Sudden Weakness or Numbness
  • A Medical Emergency
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Sunburn Treatment

Call 911 if the person:

  • Does not seem to be responding appropriately.
  • Has a seizure, visual changes, or any other neurologic symptoms. These could be symptoms of severe heat illness.

Call a health care provider if:

  • The burn has blisters or the skin is white-appearing or numb. These are symptoms of a more-serious sunburn
  • The sunburned person is a child under one year old.

1. Rehydrate

  • Replace body fluids with water, juice, or sports drinks.

 

2. Treat Symptoms

  • Apply aloe or over-the-counter moisturizing lotion to skin as directed.
  • To soothe and cool skin, bathe in lukewarm water or apply cool compresses to the area.
  • For pain, take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol).

 

WebMD Medical Reference

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Reviewed by David M. Walker, MD on November 01, 2011
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

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