From the Guidelines
Sunburn treatment should prioritize cooling the affected skin, managing pain and inflammation, and preventing further sun exposure to minimize morbidity and mortality. The most effective approach to treating sunburn involves a combination of cooling measures, pain relief, and skin care.
- Cooling the skin using a cool shower or bath, or by applying cool compresses for 10-15 minutes several times daily, can help reduce the temperature of the skin and alleviate discomfort.
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 400-600mg every 6 hours or acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500-1000mg every 6 hours can help reduce pain and inflammation 1.
- Applying aloe vera gel or moisturizers containing aloe to soothe the skin, reapplying every 2-3 hours, can also help calm the skin and promote healing.
- Hydrocortisone cream (1%) can help reduce inflammation when applied 2-3 times daily.
- Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water is essential, as sunburn draws fluid to the skin surface.
- Avoiding further sun exposure until healed and wearing loose, soft clothing to prevent irritation are also crucial.
- Not breaking blisters if they form is important, as this increases infection risk.
- If the sunburn is severe (covering large areas, with blisters, or accompanied by fever, chills, or confusion), seeking medical attention is necessary. It's worth noting that preventing sunburn is key, and individuals, especially those with fair skin, should take measures to protect themselves from the sun, such as seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and using broad-spectrum sunscreens with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher 1.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Sunburn
- The current literature documents the use of various pharmacologic agents in managing acute sunburn, including corticosteroids, NSAIDs, antioxidants, antihistamines, and emollients 2.
- However, studies have shown that these treatments are often ineffective at decreasing recovery time, with 14 out of 40 studies addressing the actual treatment of sunburn concluding that these substances have little to no effect 2.
- Some studies have reported mild improvement with these treatments, but the study designs or methods were flawed, making it difficult to draw conclusive evidence 2.
Symptomatic Treatment
- Given the lack of convincing data and consensus of opinion regarding sunburn management, the most effective and practical approach to acute sunburn is symptomatic treatment of UV light-induced symptoms 2.
- This approach focuses on alleviating symptoms such as erythema, pain, and pruritus, rather than attempting to reverse the damage to epidermal cells 2.
- It is essential to note that, regardless of the treatment modality, the damage to epidermal cells remains the same, highlighting the importance of prevention and sun protection measures 2.