Sunburn
Friday, July 18, 2003

Sunshine can lift a person’s spirits and make you feel healthier. But if you’re fair-skinned, too much sunshine can lead to a painful sunburn. In today’s Sixty Second Housecall, Dr. Ken Davis gives advice on alleviating sunburn pain and how to avoid sunburn.

Sunburn is an actual burn of the skin caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun. Depending on the severity of the burn, the skin may simply redden or it may become blistered and sore.

People with fair or freckled skin, blond or red hair and blue eyes usually have the skin type that easily sunburns. Preventive measures are important. Be sure to protect your skin from the sun, limit your exposure to sunlight, use sunscreen generously and wear clothing that covers your skin if you have skin that burns easily. Don’t forget protective measures while watching that ballgame or mowing the yard.

Treatment options include cool cloths applied on sunburned areas, cool showers or baths and lotions with aloe vera applied to affected areas. There is little you can do to stop skin from peeling after a sunburn. It is part of the healing process. Lotion might help relieve the itching. Severe sunburn with blistering may require emergency treatment with IV fluids and more extensive burn care. For more information, join us on-line at wtva.com. For North Mississippi Medical Center, I’m Dr. Ken Davis.