What helps against itching and pain?

Quick overview: Frequently asked questions and answers

What helps quickly against sunburn? Cool compresses, curd wraps, after-sun products with aloe vera and compresses with black tea can help to relieve the symptoms.

Does sunburn get better overnight? Sunburn doesn’t get better overnight. Symptoms peak after 12 to 24 hours and can last up to a week or longer, depending on the severity of the burn.

What is a second degree sunburn? In the case of a second degree sunburn, in addition to redness, blisters also form on the skin and there is more severe pain. Medical advice should be sought.

Article contents at a glance:

What is sunburn?

From a medical point of view, sunburn is an inflammation of the skin (dermatitis solaris). This can occur when the skin is exposed to sunlight that is too intense for it.

In addition to UV radiation from sunlight, sunburn can also be caused by artificial UV radiation from a solarium.

Typical places for sunburn are the so-called sun terraces:

• Shoulders
• Decollete
• Forehead
• Bridge of the nose
• Ears
• Instep

But in principle it can occur anywhere on the body.

Frequent sunburns are a major risk factor for skin cancer, especially when they occur in childhood.

Sunburn causes typical symptoms

Sunburn is accompanied by symptoms such as redness and swelling as well as overheating of the skin. The changes to the skin are usually sharply defined and affect the areas of skin that were exposed to UV radiation.

All of this is combined with burning pain and sometimes itching. In severe cases, skin blisters form.

When do symptoms appear?

Depending on the skin type and the intensity of the sun’s rays, the symptoms appear after three to six hours, and the redness reaches its maximum within 24 hours. It can take more than a week for the symptoms to subside.

When a sunburn heals, the affected skin itches and often even peels off. In the case of a mild sunburn, the redness usually turns into a tan.

Differentiation from other diseases

Sunburn must be differentiated from other illnesses. If skin rashes and itchy pustules occur, it could also be a sun allergy or Mallorca acne.

Nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness or an increased body temperature are signs of heat stroke or sunstroke, which must be treated accordingly.

Degrees of sunburn

As with burns, sunburn is classified into three levels of severity:

• Grad 1: The skin is red. Swelling and overheating of the skin and the entire body occur. Burning pain and itching are also typical.

• Grad 2: In addition to redness and swelling, blisters also form on the skin. After bursting, the blisters leave behind superficial defects (erosions) that may become wet. The drying of the wound secretion leads to the formation of yellowish crusts. The blisters can later be removed as pieces of skin.

• Grad 3: In grade 3, the epidermis and uppermost parts of the dermis have been largely destroyed. Eventually, the top layer of skin peels off in large areas.

Causes and triggers for sunburn

The cause of sunburn is a local inflammatory reaction of the skin, which is mainly triggered by the short-wave UV components of the sun’s radiation.

A distinction is made

• UV-A,
• UV-B and
• UV-C radiation.

While UV-C rays are filtered by the ozone layer, parts of UV-B and UV-A radiation reach the earth – they increase the risk of skin cancer.

UV-A radiation causes the skin to tan quickly by producing melanin. UV-B rays, on the other hand, cause longer-lasting pigmentation that protects the skin from future solar radiation. However, UV-B penetrates deeper into the skin.

On the one hand, the rays cause sunburn and damage the genetic material, but on the other hand, they also ensure the production of vital vitamin D.

How quickly do you get sunburned?

The intensity of UV radiation depends on various factors:

• season
• Time of day
• Latitude
• Above sea level
• Reflection of radiation by water, sand or snow

Whether and how quickly the skin is damaged depends on the genetically determined skin type. Each person has an individual protection time when it comes to solar radiation. Light-skinned people, such as red- or blonde-haired people, are at greater risk. Very dark-skinned people can stay in the sun longer without protection.

Danger of sunburn even in the shade

Shade does not provide complete protection against skin burns because indirect UV rays can be reflected from the environment.

Therapy: What helps against sunburn?

Various tips and home remedies can help to relieve the symptoms of mild sunburn. These include:

• cool compresses: Wet compresses soothe the skin. Extreme cold, for example in the form of ice cubes, is counterproductive. This only puts more stress on the skin and can cause cold damage.

• Quarkwickel: Many sufferers also find curd wraps and compresses with buttermilk or yoghurt to be soothing. The compresses should be removed as soon as the dairy products dry slightly.

• After-Sun-Products: After-sun lotions or gels that do not contain any active ingredients help to relieve the symptoms. Aloe vera gel or lotions with chamomile extract soothe stressed skin, provide it with moisture and accelerate healing.

• drink enoughSunburn causes the skin to become very dry. To compensate for the loss of fluids, those affected should drink plenty of fluids. Mineral water, unsweetened teas or fruit juice spritzers are suitable.

• Avoid sun: Until the skin has recovered, the sun and intense sweating should be avoided as much as possible.

When is medical treatment necessary?

Sunburn with blistering should be treated by a doctor. If the blisters cause a pronounced feeling of tension, the dermatologist or family doctor may be able to puncture (withdraw) the blister contents with a sterile syringe. A sterile bandage is then applied.

Even with a second degree sunburn, cooling moist compresses and inactive lotions or gels can relieve pain and itching.

Hydrocortisone preparations, which are applied as a gel or lotion, may also be required. If the symptoms are severe, an over-the-counter painkiller such as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or paracetamol can be taken for a short period of time.

Third degree sunburn: therapy

Third degree sunburn usually requires inpatient treatment in a dermatology clinic. Because those affected lose a lot of fluid and mineral salts due to the damaged skin, these are replaced by infusions.

To reduce the inflammatory reaction, a cortisone tablet or infusion can be given. To prevent a bacterial infection, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.

Medical diagnosis of sunburn

In the case of a mild sunburn, medical attention is usually not necessary. However, a doctor should be consulted if

The diagnosis is made based on the typical symptoms that occur a few hours after sunbathing.

Whether the affected person is taking medication is also relevant for the examination, as some medications, such as antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline or even cortisone, can increase photosensitivity.

Sunburn: Course, healing and risks

The symptoms of a mild sunburn usually improve significantly within a few days. However, it can take around two weeks for the skin to heal completely. During this time, the affected areas of skin are very sensitive and react irritably to pressure.

If the burn is accompanied by blistering, thickening of the skin or lighter (depigmented) scars may be the result. Children and older people may go into shock.

UV radiation can destroy skin cells

Sunburns can promote tumors, even decades later. Frequent burns in childhood are now considered a major risk factor for the development of skin cancer (malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma).

Excessive sunbathing also causes the skin to age faster. This manifests itself in signs such as wrinkles and age spots.

Prevent sunburn and protect your skin

To avoid getting sunburn in the first place, consistent sun protection is recommended.

The following tips are recommended:

• no intense UV radiation: You should avoid being in direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm. At this time, UV radiation is high even in the shade.

• wear long clothes: On beach holidays and at home in the swimming pool or at the lake, you should occasionally wear long clothing instead of just swimming trunks and a bikini. Long sleeves and trouser legs or a long skirt keep out UV rays.

• Protection for head and eyes: You should also protect your face and head from the sun with a sun hat. Sunglasses with UV protection are also important.

• Apply cream in good time: Apply sunscreen with the highest possible sun protection factor (SPF) about 30 minutes before sunbathing. It is also important to reapply sunscreen after bathing or if you sweat a lot.

• use proper sunscreen: In principle, sunscreens that protect against both UV-B and UV-A rays should be preferred.

• Protecting babies and children: During the first year of life, a child should not be exposed to direct sunlight if possible. Many experts recommend that sunscreen should not be used on babies until they are twelve months old. Child-friendly sunscreens with a high SPF should be used. Long clothing and a large sun hat also provide protection.

• Avoid solarium: Visits to the solarium promote skin aging and increase the risk of skin cancer. This is why experts generally advise against using solariums. A preventative visit to the solarium to get your skin used to increased UV radiation before a vacation is also not recommended.