Sunburn Treatment

• In cases of sunburn, cover the exposed skin and get out of the sun.
• Treat heat exhaustion or heat stroke appropriately.
• Cool showers may decrease skin pain. Do not apply ice, as this can cause further skin damage. Also, acetaminophen ( Tylenol) or ibuprofen may be used for pain.
• Topical lotions to keep the skin moist can reduce pain and reduce dehydration . (The normal barrier to water loss through the skin may be disrupted.) Aloe plants are a good source of soothing salve and can decrease the pain from the burn significantly.
• Drink plenty of fluids (several liters per day), especially in cases of large areas of burn (entire trunk or legs, for example). Water loss across larger burns can be significant.