It’s Christmas time and that means the sun is hot and you want to be out by the pool, enjoying yourself. It also means that painful sunburn is likely if you don’t take care of yourself.

If it’s too late and you’ve already been out in the sun too long, here are some tips to help you…

Treatments for sunburn include:

• Taking a cool (not cold) bath
• Gently applying a cool, wet cloth on the skin
• Adding moisture to the skin with lotion
• Applying aloe gel or 1% hydrocortisone cream
• Taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain
• A sunburn will most often heal on its own in one to two weeks. While you are healing:
• Stay out of the sun. More sun exposure will make the burn worse.
• Don’t pop the blisters, as this can lead to infection.
• Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

How to prevent sunburn

One way to prevent sunburn is to wear sunscreen and protective clothing. Sunscreens are chemicals that block or filter sunlight. Some have chemicals that absorb and filter the sunlight, such as oxybenzone and avobenzone. Others have chemicals that physically block the light, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. No sunscreen blocks 100% of UV light, but they do help protect the skin.

When using sunscreen:

• Wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.
• Pick broad spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
• Use a waterproof or water-resistant sunscreen.
• Apply to all exposed skin, including ears, lips, back of the neck, and tops of the feet.
• Apply it 30 minutes before going outside.
• Re-apply every two hours, or after swimming, exercising or sweating.

Other ways to prevent sunburn include:

• Stay out of the sun from 10:00 to 16:00. This is when the sun’s UV rays are strongest.
• Wear a hat with a wide brim.
• Wear clothing that protects your skin from the sun. Some clothing is rated with a UV protection factor (UPF).
• Don’t use a tanning bed.
• Look for shade. Shaded areas get less UV radiation.
• Use sunscreen even in the shade. UV rays are reflected off other surfaces such as sand, snow, cement and water.

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Ladysmith Gazette, a sold newspaper distributed in the Ladysmith area.

Please follow us on our YouTube channel and do not be shy; please subscribe and comment as well. 

Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there!