Sunburn

Description

A sunburn is a literally a burn on the skin caused by over-exposure to sunlight or a tanning bed. Sunburns typically occur in people who have lighter skin due to their lower levels of melanin. Melanin gives skin its color but it also protects the skin from ultra-violet light. Your level of natural protection is very low if you have fair skin.
Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of a sunburn typically appear within hours of overexposure to sunlight. In mild cases, the affected skin turns light red and becomes slightly swollen and painful. In some cases, a sunburn can cause the skin to become very itchy and irritated.
Severe cases of sunburns should not be taken lightly. If a large portion of the skin is affected, symptoms such as chills, fever, weakness and shock can occur. Supplementary skin infections can occur as a result of skin peeling.
To better protect yourself during the warmer months, it is best to be aware of the types and severity of different sunburns:
First-degree burns only redden the skin, with minor swelling.
Second-degree burns cause the skin to become medium red and typically are accompanied by pain attributed to swelling, skin irritation and mild fever.
Third-level sunburns can cause severe permanent damage to the skin, and should be checked by a doctor immediately. A severe sunburn will be bright red and very sensitive to the touch. Sun blisters, skin irritation, and fever can also occur as a result.

Cause

Over-exposure to the suns ultra-violet rays or tanning beds are the primary causes of sunburns. However, some medications may produce adverse reactions when taken before exposure to sunlight. These types of medication may cause you to be more sensitive to the sun than you typically are. Ask your physician if this is the case for the medication you may be taking. If it is, avoid sunlight throughout peak hours.

Extreme caution: Repeated over-exposure to the sun speeds up the skins aging process and may eventually lead to skin cancer.

Natural Remedies

Aromatherapy: Spray the affected area with lavender and chamomile. To avoid blistering, massage two drops of lavender essential oil directly onto the affected area.

Herbs: Apply a generous amount of cool Aloe-Vera gel to the sunburnt area. If you are severely sunburnt, apply a salve made with St. John`s Wort and calendula flowers.

Homeopathy: Natrum mur. is a useful homeopathic remedy for preventing sunburn, while Urtica Urens as well as Rhus tox can help heal sunburns more quickly. Calendula cream applied topically is also useful.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the process of alternating between hot and cold temperatures using water, ice and steam to maintain and restore health. Treatments include complete body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation and the application of hot or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective in the treatment of a wide range of conditions and can easily be utilized in the home as part of a self-care program. Numerous naturopathic physicians, physical therapists and day spas use hydrotherapy as part of their treatments. We recommend several in-house hydrotherapy treatments. Please seek the advice of an alternative healthcare practitioner prior to undergoing these types of procedures to make sure they are right for you.

*Purified water is essential for any hydrotherapy treatment.*

Juice Treatment: Carrot juice can help speed recovery.

Lifestyle: Prevention is the best treatment for sunburns. Contact with sun in the summertime should be limited to 30 minutes throughout midday sunlight. The best time to be out in the sun is before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m. Overcast days can be just as dangerous to your skin. Do not let the clouds full you into thinking your skin is not being exposed to ultraviolet rays. Sunshine reflecting off of water, steel, snow, sand, and other reflective objects may increase your chance of sunburn.

Sunscreens: Although sunscreen has been recommended for years as a preventative safeguard against skin cancer, new research suggests that sunscreens can actually be instrumental in causing melanoma (skin cancer) due to the fact that they prevent the skin from producing Vitamin D. Vitamin D is an essential hormone that helps inhibit the development of melanoma. However, there is still little evidence to suggest you should stop wearing sunscreen altogether because it will protect your skin from sunburns. In order to protect your skin as best as possible, avoid direct sunlight altogether and wear protective hats or clothing when you must be in the sun.
Topical Treatment: Apply a mixture of two parts apple cider vinegar and one part extra virgin olive oil to the affected region. This will help calm the pain and speed recovery times. PABA cream applied topically as well as Aloe-Vera gel are also well-known cures.

Optional Professional Care

If your signs and symptoms persist despite avoiding the sun, seek the help of a qualified medical expert. The following professional treatments have all demonstrated the ability to be useful for treating sunburns: Naturopathic Medicine, and Oxygen Treatments. (See Resources for additional information.)