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Home care starts before sunburns happen. If you are prepared before going out in the sun, you surely won't need these tips and techniques.

Immediate self-care is aimed at blocking the UV radiation.

- Avoid prolonged sun exposure

- Cover nude skin

- Avoid the tanning bed

- Relief of the lesions becomes important.

- Medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are helpful, especially when started early.

Mild sunburns can be treated by applying cool compresses with a mix of milk and water. You can also use cold compresses with Burow's solution. You can buy these at a drugstore. Dissolve 1 packet in 1 pint of water. Soak gauze or a soft clean cloth in it. Carefully wring out the cloth and put on the sunburned area for 15-20 minutes. Change or refresh the cloth and solution every 2-3 hours.

There are many commercially available brands of aloe-based lotions. This ingredient has been known to be beneficial for skin renewal and can be found in any local drugstore. You can also tear off a piece of the aloe plant, split open the leaf and use the cool jellylike material found inside the leaves to soothe your skin.

Cool (not ice cold) baths may also help. Steer clear of bath salts, oils, and perfumes because these may produce sensitivity reactions. Avoid scrubbing or shaving sun burned skin. Use soft towels to gently dry yourself. Do not rub. Once you have done this, use a light, fragrance-free skin moisturizer.

Avoid using lotions that contain topical anesthetic medications because you may become sensitized and even allergic to that medicine.

Needless to say, avoid the sun while you are sunburned.

Medical Treatment for Sunburns

Silver sulfadiazine (1% cream, Thermazene) can be applied for treatment of sunburn with appropriate cautions about use on the face.

If your case is mild and not life threatening, the doctor may simply recommend plenty of liquids, aspirin, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

Additional local measures like cool compresses, Burow solution soaks, or high-quality moisturizing creams and lotions may be prescribed.

If your case is severe enough, oral steroid treatment (cortisonelike medications) may be prescribed for some days. Steroid creams placed on the skin show minimal to no benefit.

Stronger pain-relieving medication may be prescribed in certain cases.

If you suffer blistering, steroids may be withheld to avoid an increased risk of infection. If you are dehydrated or suffering from heat stress, IV fluids will be given, and you may be admitted to the hospital. People with very severe cases may be derived to the hospital's burn unit.