What do do if I have a sunburn so bad can hardly move?

Question

I got a sunburn at a Celebrate America thing and I now have three blisters. My sunburn stings really bad and I have been using Aloe Vera Gel. Is this what need to make my sunburn dissapear faster? Or is there something else I should use?

Answer 1

cold water is the best first aid when you burn yourself - 20 minutes under the tap is ideal. NEVER ice or vinegar or milk or butter or mustard or toothpaste or sunscreen or semen or vaseline or tomatoes or vanilla extract or yogurt or sour cream or egg white or lavender oil or cocoa butter or salt or tea or potato or shaving cream or olive oil- not until the skin is fully healed! ignore anyone who advises any of these!

i would advise that you cover the burnt area with sterile paraffin wax or aqueous cream bp. (check the links below and see if you can find a local equivalent)

cover the burnt area in paraffin wax after cleaning and removing any burst blisters - these are just sites of infection and will take longer to heal. wash and reapply every 4-6 hours - cover with cling wrap if you wish to cover with clothes - this will stop your clothes getting covered with paraffin and maintains the burn.

cling wrap alone is ok if you can't get hold of any paraffin. it also acts as a protective artificial skin - helping retain moisture and protect from further damage and pain. cling wrap is cheap and clean off the roll. in Australia ambulances often use this when someone has been burnt. - please note that cling wrap isn't always practical, like on your face.

paraffin creates a seal stopping water leaving the body and reduces pain as it protects sensitised nerves. the paraffin imitates the natural oils secreted by the skin. skin cells are better able to multiply and regenerate with this treatment. pain is also helped. make sure you buy plenty of this paraffin - as the burn heals switch to aqueous cream bp.(aqueous cream has a bunch of paraffin in it plus some moisturisers - look out for stuff that also contains sorbolene or glycerine as these help also). following this regime definitely will help your sunburn heal faster and peel less. aloe is good coz it remoisturises but that moisture can be quickly lost as the skin can't contain fluids- this is a function of healthy skin.

so put aloe on, and then the paraffin on over the top as long as there is no broken skin this works great. if there is broken skin leave out the aloe - just paraffin.

burns can cause heartburn/reflux/gastric ulcers (in more severe cases) - i have never heard the term 'sun poisioning' before but this maybe what some ppl are referring to. its quite unpleasent espeically when combined with pain, thirst and more pain.

long term treatment to prevent scarring or loss of function due to contractures(as skin heals it can tighten reducing how much you can move - a skin graft is necessary to repair this). daily moisturiser, daily stretches - talk to a physio, pressure bandages like tubigrip, massaging the scar. this all reduce/flatten the scar and minimise the need for further treatment/surgery. talk to a physio.

please note that this is an explanation based on the many questions that have been asked on yahoo answers. all treatments are used in hospital settings and when done correctly (by a health professional) hugely improve the outcomes of burns patients. it is not an opinion but medical advice


http://www.doorone.com.au/xGS-Aqueous_Cream~NS-1~linkin_id-8009837

http://www.pharmacyonline.com.au/david-craig-paraffin-400g-p-1831.html

hope this helps - let me know how you go and what similar brands/alternatives are available in your area

email if you still have questions - send photos [e-mail]

finally if you are really worried go to a hospital that has a burns unit or plastic surgeons. anything more serious than sunburn should be seen by a burns trained doctor or nurse.

Answer 2

well you can use that but there are many other ways you can help your sunburn. Here are three ways.
1. Make tea and cool them, then apply to the burn. Any tea will work, mint,peppermint ect. The teas have tannins that help the healing process.
2. take a warm shower to dry out the heat of your sunburn.
3. . i know this sounds stupid but it works. Soak slices of white bread in cold milk and apply to the affected area. The cold milk will draw heat from the area to cool the skin. Whole milk is best, as the fat in the milk is said to lubricate the skin and help it retain moisture.
and thats what i do for a sunburn

Answer 3

Brew some strong tea and let it cool (not instant or bottled) soak soft washcloths, or an old pillowcase (smoother than terrycloth) and apply. The tannic acid in the tea will help ease the sting.

If you have blisters, you are talking at least 2nd degree burns. You have to watch to keep those clean so you dont get infected on top of the burn.

You may want to see a dr. (try a 24 hour drop in urgent care clinic, if you cant see your regular dr. Its a step down from hospital emergency, and usually half the wait)

Use plenty of sunblock the rest of the summer the delicate skin under the blisters will be even more succeptible to burning.

Answer 4

Aloe Vera Gel works really well most of the time but if it doesn't seem to be working I would try solacaine, I used it for a really bad burn on my ear from a curling iron and it took the pain away very quickly. Its made to take the pain away.

If that doesn't work and your blisters get worse I would suggest going to the doctor and seeing what they can do for you.

Answer 5

Aloe Vera is very good. Along with this my mother always had us use vinegar which greatly relieved the pain. If you can stand the smell, take a wash cloth and soak it in cool vinegar and then lay it over the sunburn until it turns warm. Repeat as needed. This also is supposed to help in healing.

Answer 6

I live in Southern California and every year I would get a horrible sunburn. This is one solution I have found that really works:

To ease the sting of a sunburn, dip a soft cloth in to a bowl of iced tea, then sponge the ice tea all over the burn area. It is very soothing and it takes the sting out.

Answer 7

I have been hopitalized twice for this. If the burn is current then you can soak clothes in vineagar and place it on the burned skin for at least 30 minutes. It really helps pull the burn out of the skin. I know it smells but it will help. Also solarcane makes a spray that will help. Keep up with the aloe. Only time will mkae it disapper but there is stuff that will aid in the healing.

Answer 8

i would use the aloe vera gel that u said u were alreay using. try soaking in a really cool bath. it might sting when u first get in but it will help cool it off.

Answer 9

keep cool water soaked rags on the worst areas and take tylonol every couple of hours to help with the pain and swelling.....i have heard of something that has helped and when i tried it it did help take the sting out...put cool whip on the area and wait 20 mins then rinse off with cool water..i think something in the milk helps easy the pain

Answer 10

Noxema Original Skin Cream - apply liberally. It takes out the burn and moisturizes all at the same time.

Alternatively, you can apply distilled white vinegar. This smells awful and only takes out the burn. It does NOT moisturize; on the contrary it tends to dry the skin.