Sunburns: how to properly treat them and why a sour cream mask is a very bad idea
The consequence of excessive exposure to the sun is premature aging of the skin.
Summer is in full swing, and therefore the problem of sunburn is urgent. You can burn your skin anywhere – in the garden, by the sea or even in the mountains. How to act in such cases?
“Slight reddening of the skin is the first degree of burn, the lightest,” says Zhanna Prykhodko, a dermatocosmetologist. — In the case of a 2nd degree burn, the skin becomes very red, soon blisters, swells, and hurts. At the 3rd degree, ulcers and erosions form on the burned areas. This can lead to impaired blood circulation and deterioration of the functions of many organs, not to mention the risk of additional skin infections. But it is possible to assess the full extent of the damage caused by the sun’s rays only after a year or more. The skin remembers every burn, and even one such episode increases the risk of neoplasms, particularly malignant ones. For example, melanoma and basal cell carcinoma are the most dangerous types of skin cancer.
— How long can you stay in the sun to get a healthy tan?
— Tanning is no longer considered a sign of health. Even if you’re not burnt. Patients with pigment spots, early senile lentigo (small dark spots), premature aging of the skin, all of which are the result of excessive exposure to the sun, have to be consulted quite often. Unfortunately, there are many patients with neoplasms who have to be referred to oncologists.
— What protection against ultraviolet is effective? And what really saves from sunburn?
— I would advise you not to be in the sun at all from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — this is the time when the sun’s rays are very aggressive. At other times, it is enough to be in the sun for up to 30 minutes in total to provide the body with the dose of ultraviolet necessary for the synthesis of vitamin D. People who are forced to work on a sunny day should wear hats with wide brims. It is not very popular here, but the peoples of Asia and South America have been protecting themselves from the sun for a long time. It is important to protect the skin of the face and shoulders – they are most often affected by neoplasms, in particular, basal cell tumors. Let’s not forget about special creams that protect against excessive tanning.
If it was not possible to protect yourself, the skin turned red, covered with blisters, then first of all it should be cooled and moisturized, a homemade wet compress is suitable for this. And then – treat with any preparation based on dexpanthenol or D-panthenol – this substance easily penetrates the skin, reduces its inflammation, and accelerates recovery.
But “grandmother’s” sour cream mask will only harm, because it will cover the affected skin with a greasy film and, instead of cooling, the burns will only “warm up”. You can’t wipe burns with alcohol-containing solutions, they disinfect, but increase pain.
– Let’s not forget that the skin becomes ultra-sensitive to ultraviolet due to certain chemical compounds, – adds Anisia Bandrivska, an allergist. — Under their influence, a phototoxic reaction occurs: uncovered parts of the body turn red within a few minutes of exposure to the sun, and even in dark-skinned people who have never been sunburned. Dangerous compounds are included, in particular, in some anti-pressure drugs, sugar-lowering drugs (they are constantly used by people with diabetes), antibiotics, antifungal, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs that lower the cholesterol level, some contraceptives. Therefore, I advise you to carefully read the instructions for the medicines you are taking.
Author: Iryna Kontorskih
