i got sunburned, now i am peeling?

Question

it looks really dirty to me, but am i supposed to "help" the process along by peeling it off ? will that damage my skin? how long will it take for the peeling to be finished ?? i've heard rubbing with baby oil can help. .any suggestions????

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 green tea 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 bags or potato or shaving cream or olive oil or baking soda or banana peel or petroleum jelly or whipped cream or avocado or bacon grease or corn starch or tumeric or lemon juice or curd- not until the skin is fully healed!

alcohol might help with the pain but it is a serious risk as it will dehydrate you - so don't drink any. ibuprofen or aspirin will help but larger burns are often accompanied by stomach ulcers, so tylenol/panadol is best for pain if you are gonna tough it out. drink plenty of water or energy drinks that don't have caffeine (gatorade)

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). wash the burn 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.

the paraffin imitates the natural oils, creating a seal stopping water leaving the body and reduces pain by protecting sensitised nerves. both of these factors improve healing - good stuff stays in, bad stays out - that is one job of healthy skin. aloe is good coz it remoisturises but that moisture can be quickly lost as the skin can't contain fluids. so put aloe on, and then the paraffin on over the top. if there is broken skin leave out the aloe - just paraffin.

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. serious sunburn i.e. blisters (and all other burns) should be seen by a burns trained doctor or nurse.

Answer 2

Don't peel it yourself! If it starts peeling don't mess with it. Just let it run its course. That's how a lot of sunburns end up, you just have to deal with it. Rub aloe vera (cheap, available at drugstores) on it.

Answer 3

Aloa Vera lotion is good for that. But don';t peel it off just let it come off naturally when it is ready. It will come off when the new skin under it has formed.

Answer 4

if ur skin is peeeling that is a good sign but dont peel it of because if u did that it will hurt badley i had sunburn on my face once it peeled alone in 1 week but dont touch it!!

Answer 5

Been there, done that.
Peeling it off doesn't help, trust me.
I don't know how long it will take, it pretty much just depends how badly you are peeling.
I'd try aloe vera (I think that's what it's called), and see if that helps.
Well, good luck with that.

Answer 6

try aloe vera. lotions with cooling effects also help (not the ones with eucalyptus tho) - cucumber.

don't pick on the skin or peel it forcibly, you might get wounds. ouchie.

Answer 7

EAT IT LIKE A GECKO

Answer 8

ya your probably going to die