Got a sunburn....

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Critical Care/ICU.

My chest and shoulders got burned.

I know, duh!

Dose anyone have a good concoction to prevent the inevitable peeling?

I use chilled aloe gel with lidocaine (ahhhhhhhhh), but is there something better?

Make sure that you do not get any sun whatsoever on it, or you will definitely peel. To completely prevent the peeling, you would have to modify your DNA. :)

I got sun today, too. Lotion, lotion, lotion! With aloe, if possible. I hope your burn isn't TOO bad...... :uhoh3:

Specializes in Critical Care/ICU.
To completely prevent the peeling, you would have to modify your DNA. :)

So, do you have a recipe for that? What about wrinkles? :chuckle

I plan to cover up in the next several days, plus I'll be working and sleeping during the day.

Pretty sure it's a first degree burn. No blistering, not necessarily painful (I think the lido in the aloe helps), just very red. I do know better and I was wearing sunblock, but this was the first REAL outside time I've had this year. I've got skin that usually tans a deep dark tan so this took me by surprise. Maybe my hormones are wreaking havoc on my body as I suspect they probably are.

Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

Try some Tylenol or Advil. Cool compresses help, too. OUCH!

Try Dermaid. You can usually get it at any pharmacy. Pricey, but worth it's weight in gold.

I nearly forgot....Noxema. That sun must've knocked me for a loop. I'm not nearly this ditzy! Sorry! :crying2:

Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.
My chest and shoulders got burned.

I know, duh!

Dose anyone have a good concoction to prevent the inevitable peeling?

I use chilled aloe gel with lidocaine (ahhhhhhhhh), but is there something better?

The pharmacist where I used to work always recommended Noxema. He says it is the best thing out there to keep it from peeling, itching and it will cool the sunburn without causing you pain

Hope that helps. I have tried it before and I am a believer :p

Specializes in Utilization Management.

I just got a mild sunburn myself. I used Aloe for the burn, and when it started itching and hurt only a little, used moisturizing lotion. I haven't been out in the sun much for about 10 years, so I expected to peel, but I didn't.

Specializes in Utilization Management.

PS Yes, tylenol helped with the discomfort. Hope you heal quickly, begalli!

Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

Are you on any medications, there are a whole slew of them out there that produce photosensitivity.

Noxema rules in this case.

Hope you are feeling better now.

Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Education.

My long-standing "nurse-heal-thyself" remedies for sunburn:

  • Drink plenty of water/Gatorade
  • Ibuprofen (600mg-800mg doses for anti-inflammatory effect)
  • Aloe lotion during the day
  • Noxema at night

Mom used to attack me with vinegar when I was younger. We'd get home from the lake and she'd corner me with a roll of paper towels & a bowl of white vinegar. She claimed it "pulled the heat" from the burn. I guess it helped...I just remember the smell! :)

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