From the Guidelines
Immediate medical attention is required for a 2nd degree sunburn of the face, especially if it involves a large surface area or is accompanied by signs of inhalation injury, as it may necessitate treatment in a specialized burn center 1. Management for a second-degree sunburn of the face involves immediate cooling of the skin with cool compresses or a cool bath for 10-15 minutes to reduce pain and heat.
- Apply aloe vera gel or moisturizers containing aloe vera several times daily to soothe the skin and promote healing, as petrolatum, honey, and aloe have been shown to improve healing time in patients with partial-thickness burns 1.
- For pain relief, take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (400-600mg every 6-8 hours) or acetaminophen (500-1000mg every 4-6 hours) as needed, as these are well tolerated and generally recommended for burn pain 1.
- Keep the burned area clean by gently washing with mild soap and water, then pat dry.
- Do not break blisters as this increases infection risk; if blisters rupture naturally, clean the area and apply an antibiotic ointment like bacitracin.
- Hydrocortisone cream (1%) can help reduce inflammation but should be used sparingly on the face.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to help with healing.
- Avoid sun exposure completely until healed, and use broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 50+) afterward.
- Seek medical attention if the burn covers a large area of the face, if there are signs of infection (increased pain, swelling, pus, red streaks), or if symptoms worsen after 2-3 days, and consider the potential need for surgical intervention to prevent permanent disability, especially if the burn involves the face, hands, feet, or genitals 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Directions adults and children 2 years of age and older: clean the affected area apply a small amount of this product (an amount equal to the surface area of the tip of a finger) on the area 1 to 3 times daily may be covered with a sterile bandage children under 2 years of age: ask a doctor
The management for a 2nd degree sunburn of the face may include cleaning the affected area and applying a topical product, however, the provided drug label for bacitracin does not explicitly address the management of 2nd degree sunburn.
- Key considerations for management are not directly addressed in the label. The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Management of 2nd Degree Sunburn of the Face
The management of 2nd degree sunburn of the face involves several approaches to promote healing, reduce pain, and minimize scarring.
- Topical agents such as antibiotic ointments or silver-containing dressings can be applied to the affected area to prevent infection and promote healing 2, 3, 4, 5.
- The choice of topical agent may depend on the depth and extent of the burn, as well as the patient's overall health status.
- Some studies suggest that topical antibiotic ointments, such as triple-antibiotic ointment, may be more effective than silver-containing dressings in promoting reepithelialization and reducing scarring 2.
- Other topical agents, such as fundermol herbal ointment, may also be effective in accelerating burn wound healing 3.
- It is essential to note that the management of 2nd degree sunburn of the face may require referral to a burn subspecialist, especially if the burn is severe or covers a large area 4.
Topical Therapies
Several topical therapies are available for the management of 2nd degree sunburn of the face, including:
- Silver sulfadiazine cream, which is a standard treatment for partial-thickness burns 4, 5
- Triple-antibiotic ointment, which has been shown to enhance reepithelialization and reduce scar depth and contraction 2
- Fundermol herbal ointment, which has been found to accelerate burn wound healing 3
- Mafenide acetate, which has superior eschar-penetrating characteristics and is used to treat early burn wound sepsis 5
Pain Management
Pain management is an essential aspect of the management of 2nd degree sunburn of the face.