Kimmi has severe sunburn, any suggestions?

[tc]

She used sunscreen, I put it on her, but she still got terribly burned. I don' think it was as water proof as it said. Her shoulders are blistered, oozing and just really painful. We're putting neosporin with pain killer on it and covering it with a soft bandage, but the pain is still intense. She's taking Ibuprofen too. Does anyone have a sure fire way to make it stop hurting? It's not so much the heat, it the open wounds that are causing the pain. She said it feels like her nerves are all exposed.

Any suggestions on how to make her more comfortable would be apprecieted.

 

[Michelle]

I don't think I would use the neosporin, actually...do you have any aloe gel? They have a kind that has a numbing medicine in it too, that would help. Leave it open, don't cover it with anything.

Poor baby, I know how that goes, I had a few blistering sunburns in my childhood and teen years and it IS miserable.

If you suspect the blisters are getting infected (the oozing part) I would get her to a doctor.

Hope she feels better soon!

 

[becka]

I will also not use the Neosporin and leave it exposed.

There are sprays and aloe gels that are "cooling" and have topical pain killers in them to help numb the area. They can be good for short periods of time.

Make sure she drinks lots and lots of water to help hydration.

You might think about going to the doctor if you suspect infection or if over the counter stuff is not working. DH once had a sunburn so bad we ended up in the ER. He had burnt the nerve endings in his skin!!! He ended up on a Benadryl IV to help with the itching he was having and I believe they even sent him home with a sedative so he could rest.

 

[piphay]

We always used a wet wash cloth dipped in a vinegar mixture.... it pulls out the burn.

 

[RitaZ.]

Another thing that may be helpful is Aveeno Bath Treatment, it's recommended for sunburns. It's sold in a box that contains individual packets.

 

[Morticia]

You have to remember that w/a sunburn, all the moisture in that area has been pulled out of your skin. The OP's are correct. You must have her drink LOTS of water, put wet, cool washcloths on it, keep up the aspirin for pain. It may work better than Ibuprophen & Naproxyn. Aloe Vera is soothing & does replace moisture, but is not a replacement for water, so keep up the water, both inside & out.
Keep a watch for infection & immediately go to urgent care, if it goes beyond mild redness & oozing.
Remember that all sunscreens need to be reapplied throughout the day & after about 1-4 hours (depending on skin type) you need to give your skin a break from the sun, cool off & then reapply the sunscreen.

Been there, done that @ Lake Havasu.

 

[tc]

I am going to the store at lunch to get her something else. I called her said to not put the neosporin on. I figured it was antibiotic and pain relief, so would be good. What do I know, lol. I think she's past getting the burn out, and just needs help with the blisters. I don't think they're infected, just sore. The oozing was the day after the burn (Friday was the day she got burned.) Now, the oozing is gone, and it's just the blisters that have popped and hurt like **ll!!! I will tell her to leave it open too. Thanks for the advice.

Any more help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Gaspode]

Hiya,

Poor thing!!! I have suffered from this in my time and it is no fun!

When I did, I was about 7. We were in Miami. I burnt my shoulders really bad and my little strappy sundresses caused blisters.

Someone suggested to my Mum that she apply natural yoghurt. This was great, had a really instant cooling and soothing effect so I would suggest that. If it doesn't help I guess you can always eat the stuff still in the tub!

Aloe Vera gel (normally like a green or ice cool blue colour) is really great also and what we always take on holidays with us now *in case* anyone ever gets it as bad again.

Hope she is okay soon!
Gaspode

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Ditto the aloe vera gel. Keep it in the fridge for real cooling relief.

 

[Towncrier]

As a veteran of many sunburns, I suggest that a trip to the doctor might not be a bad idea. With that much burn, your DD might also have sun poisoning. When the burning sensation finally subsides, it may be replaced with an itching sensation. The doctor might even prescribe a cortisone spray.

So sorry that your DD got burnt. I feel her pain.

 

[wdwnutze]

I would definately head for the Dr. Sounds like a bad burn and you might want to rule out any infection. They might give her something like Silvadene(?spelling). They use this cream on burns and it works terrific. It is prescription only though I think.

 

[tc]

She called the doctor yesterday. He prescribed an ointment for burns, and told her to use better sunscreen next time. Okay, so she knew that. She is feeling better today. Mostly peeling and drying. The ointment seems to be keeping it pretty moist and it's not as painful. There is no infection. We now know, even if it says waterproof, it still needs to be reapplied. I had always told her that, but she's the kind of kid that needs to find out herself. She works at a daycare, and always reapplies on her kids. She just didn't reapply herself. She's really peeling and itching now, but I think the worst is over. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

I left disney with 2nd degree burns from the sun in 2001.
I had boils on my chest and my whole face was huge blisters.
Aloe helps but also soaking in water.