Help...Sunburn OUCH!!

[TerriP]

Does anyone have any good advice for taking the sting out of a bad sunburn? I got burned yesterday for the first time in years and can't think of what I used to do for it. And it isn't like I got a little bit burned either....we're talking blisters. You know me...when I do something I do it all the way!

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer.

 

[pumba]

feels like needles on my skin......the cb gave me some suggestions on the other post I did on warning warning........cause I goofed too......hope you feel better soon too......I hate to think of putting anything on that will get me......ouch

 

[DemonLlama]

I always manage a bad burn once every summer, and the surefire best thing to ease the pain is Ocean Potion Instant Burn Relief Ice, which has aloe vera, lidocaine, and tea tree extract. It's a funky blue gel in a big bottle. Our tiny Walmart in our little town carries it, so it shouldn't be too hard to find.

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[Serena]

OUCH! I'm sorry.

 

[FOJMO]

I got a very BAD one last month in Cozumel while on the Disney Magic cruise. It was very bad. Blisters, oozing, etc.

The only thing I used was aloe gel and Solarcaine with Aloe spray. Keep putting the aloe gel on it and keep it moist, especially after showering.

Drink LOTS of water, as you can get dehydrated. Take ibuprofen.

I will NEVER get burned like that again! I should know better, too, as I had malignant melanoma (skin cancer) 15 years ago and was very lucky after surgery that they got it all.

Good luck!

 

[TerriP]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm going to Rite Aid (a pharmacy here in Michigan) during lunch and I'll look for the Ocean Potion. I am using aloe and bought some Solarcaine spray last night...just doesn't seem to be taking the sting out. Either that or I'm getting wimpy in my old age!!

I hear ya, Fojmo. My Dad died of melanoma twelve years ago next month. I "KNOW" better than to do this. My coworkers keep coming by and saying "Oh, that's terrible" and I keep saying "Don't pity me...I know better than to do this!". I actullay can imagine how angry my Dad must be with me right now. If cursing is allowed in Heaven he's on a roll this morning, I guarntee it!!

 

[browneyes]

A red vinegar bath helps take out the burn. Also, it stinks, but BenGay will take the burn away (it'll burn like fire for a few minutes when you first put it on). BenGay will also moisturize and will prevent peeling. Good ole aloe vera will help too (either fresh from the plant or you can buy a bottle of it in the store when you go).

I hope you're not hurting too bad. Sunburn pain is awful pain. It feels like you hit every nerve when you do something as simple as breathing.

 

[ahutton]

I soak in an Aveno bath - it helps my skin feel better much faster than the sprays ever did. What about using cortisone cream? Would that help it heal faster? Anyone?

 

[PammyK]

This will sound strange, but I use strong black tea. I brew up a strong pot of tea, add ice to cool it down and then use an old washrag or bandana soaked in the tea as a cold compress. As the sunburn heats the compress, just dip it back in the tea, wring it out and replace it. It really does take the sting out. The nice thing is that it doesn't smell and isn't sticky, plus it is cheap!

 

[allicat]

TerriP dont beat yourself up over it... it happens!
Right now, Im sunburned on only 1 side of my face, ear and shoulder. Guess, i missed that side with the suntan lotion!?

 

[DaisyDebbie]

Vinegar will take the sting out

 

[KaterBell]

Along with the other remedies posted, I use Noxzema too. Helps make the burn "cool" down... and it moisturizes your skin to minimize on the peeling.

I am definitely echoing those who said Drink LOTS of water and take ibuprofin. It will help a LOT.

Take care of yourself!

 

[Scratch42]

I usually use the vinegar and then don't forget the Vitamin E! In my younger days I blistered so bad that it looked like an eagle!LOL now! Apply the vinegar for the heat, aloe to moisturize and the Vitamin E to ward of scarring!

Hope you feel better soon.

Scratch

 

[d.kurz]

And putting your aloe gel in the fridge really makes it feel good!

 

[nativetxn]

I'm not going to offer advice. I just wanted to offer a very gentle {{{HUG}}}. Hope you are feeling better soon.

Katholyn

 

[Figment22]

Two weeks ago we were on vacation in Orlando and DS10 and I got painful sunburns while hanging out at the pool. I had aloe vera lotion with me which slightly eased the pain for about 10 minutes. Then we tried an aloe vera gel with lidocaine in it--not much help either. I went to Walgreens and bought something called Burn Stuff. DS said it burned more after I put the stuff on than before. In total desperation, I searched through my toiletry bag and found a tube of Balmex, which is an ointment for diaper rash containing zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is the "white stuff" that lifeguards spread on their noses at the beach. Well, I gently rubbed it on his poor, red shoulders before bedtime (it's white and sticky so it may get on your bedclothes, but it will wash out) and voila... he slept well and fairly pain free and woke up in the morning feeling 90% better. It was barely red anymore and most of the heat was out of it. I used it also and it soothed almost immediately and really helped it heal quickly. It was an absolute lifesaver. DS had been in so much pain, he didn't even want to go out to the parks. Balmex gave me my son back!

I hope you feel better. Sunburn is SO painful.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I am really fair and I burn easily. Someone once told me a trick that is time consuming, but it really helps take the heat out. I guess the thought is the same as putting a burned finger under the faucet.

Get a bath towel and soak it in cool water. Ring out most of the water, but leave it pretty damp - not dripping. Put the towel on your bare shoulders until it starts to feel warm. Take it off and flip it over. Put it back on your shoulders. All of this works even better if you are under a fan. After doing it over and over, much of the heat is gone and with it a lot of the pain.

Then put some of over-the-counter burn stuff on. I've been burned so bad that it blistered more times than I can count. I feel for you. Rest and drink lots of fluids. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[TerriP]

I tell ya, the folks here are just too much. All of this advice is so helpful...I've saved it in a Word document so I can have it if I ever make this mistake again.

It's starting to get better, I think. The girls at work all tell me it still looks terrible, but I think it's looking better (maybe I just WANT it to look better!). Of course, I was at Meijer during my lunch break today getting some groceries and FOUR strangers commented on my burnt arms! If I could think of something sarcastic to say to "Did you get burnt?" I'd say it in a heartbeat...I'm so tired of that question! Of course I got burnt silly...did you think I didn't notice???

Anyway, thanks for all of your advice and suggestions. I've gone from lobster red to a bright pink so that's progress. Soon I'll be Casper the Ghost white again and you'll never know what happened!!

 

[imgoingtodisney]

When DS got his ears burned last week to the point of blisters I had him put aloe vera gel on them. DS says they didnt hurt until they actually popped.
He wears his new bucket hat constantly now.

 

[Talking Hands]

If real bad Foille spray.