Sunburn Degrees and Treatments

Is that sunburn or are you blushing at me? Sunburn is skin damage from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.

There are three degrees of sunburn and they are as follows:

Degrees of Sunburn

• First: Redness in the skin.
• Second: Some reddening of the skin and water blisters.
• Third: Most to all require the immediate care of a doctor and causes lower cell damage and the release of fluid, resulting in eruptions and breaks in the skin where infection comes into the picture.

Treatments

• Call your Doctor.
• Avoid your lotions.
• Stay out of the sun during this time period.
• Cool (not ice cold) baths may help.
• For mild sunburn, cool compresses with equal parts of milk and water may suffice. Soak gauze or a soft clean cloth in it. Gently wring out the cloth and apply to the sunburned area for 15-20 minutes.
• Medication such as aspirin, Ibuprofen, and naproxen are useful, especially when started early.

Call 911 Immediately If

Sunstroke: High body temperature, usually105*F and above, sweating, headaches, numbness and tingling, fast pulse, rapid breathing, unusually elevated blood pressures.

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