Home Care Advice for Sunburn

• Apply cool compresses initially to cool the burn and then 4 times a day
  
• DO NOT apply ice directly to skin, use pillowcase or towel
  
• After cooling AND if no open blisters, ok to apply topical antibiotics or aloe vera
• Benadryl or one of the “caine” sprays can be helpful, but may cause allergic reactions
  
• Cool baths- Aveeno, oatmeal or baking soda can be soothing
  
• Take Ibuprofen or Naproxen every 6 hrs for pain and swelling.  If can not take these use acetaminophen.
  
• Make sure you have had a Tetanus shot within the past ten years
  
• Blister care- you can leave blisters intact, unless the fluid looks cloudy or yellow.
  
• Increase your fluid intake
  
• Watch for signs of INFECTION
  • Pain - worse than the first day
  • Redness – area of discoloration spreading or streaking
  • Heat - Area around wound feels hot to touch
  • Drainage - Yellow or green cloudy discharge
• Watch for swelling, if severe or increasing, come in
  
• Use moisturizer during the peeling stage which will occur in 3-10 days
  
• Cover with clean dry dressing if needed
  
• For painful swollen eyes, DARKEN the room AND APPLY cool compresses AND REST.
  
• Come in for any symptoms and signs of infection or severe swelling or any change in your condition

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