How to Treat a Sunburn

Staying out in the sun without protection and sunscreen can burn your skin, even if it's a cloudy day. Not only can sunburns hurt, they can age your skin.

The sun isn't the only source of harmful UV rays. Tanning beds can also cause harm and sunburn. There is really no safe way to expose your skin to UV rays and sunburn isn't always easy to treat or relieve.

If pain is severe, call your doctor. Blistering signals second-degree sunburn and there could be an increased risk of infection. A sunburn can cause a mild fever and a headache. This is caused from dehydration, so drinking fluids helps. 

Use cool cloths on sunburned areas and take frequent cool showers or baths. Apply soothing lotions that contain aloe vera or a topical 1 percent hydrocortisone if there is pain and swelling. 

Do not use hydrocortisone cream on children younger than 3 years old, unless your doctor tells you to. There is little you can do to stop skin from peeling after a sunburn, it is part of the healing process. 

Lotion may help relieve the itching. Don't treat sunburn with products like benzocaine or lidocaine, these products can irritate your skin because the chemicals in them can cause allergies. Also, avoid petroleum jelly.

Follow these basic rules to protect yourself from sunburn: Stay out of the direct sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wear a four-inch broad-brim hat and tightly woven, loose fitting clothing. Use sunscreen 15-30 minutes before sun exposure, often and liberally. Wear sunglasses that block at least 99 percent of UV rays.