With summertime in full swing, sunburn is a harsh reality of spending more time outdoors to enjoy the warmer weather.

From days at the beach to relaxing days by the pool or an adventure-filled day at the park, sun exposure increases when the weather gets warmer.

Although some level of sun exposure is healthy for your body, too much can quickly lead to serious burns and long-term skin damage. Each sunburn increases your risk of developing skin cancer or other serious skin conditions later in life.

While most of us are good about remembering to apply sunscreen often, sometimes sunburns happen more quickly than we realize, and we are left to deal with the pain and burn that come with it.

Although for most, the best remedies include rest, hydration, and applying aloe for relief, others may need more serious treatment, especially if their burns are severe.

Let’s discuss when you should visit Amory Urgent Care for a sunburn.

First, What Is a Sunburn?

By definition, a sunburn is a type of skin burn caused by overexposure to sunlight or artificial sun lamps that exposes our skin to excessive ultraviolet radiation.

Sunburns typically appear 6 to 12 hours after initial sun exposure and can last days to weeks, depending on the severity.

Symptoms of sunburn include

Red skin
A burning sensation
Itchiness
Skin that is warm to the touch
Skin peeling, primarily upon healing

In some more serious instances, blistering may occur.

Sunburn Treatment

Mild to moderate sunburn can be treated at home with

Over-the-counter ointments,
Aloe
Pain-relieving medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen

It is also important to hydrate with cool water, apply damp, cool washcloths to the affected area, and rest to help relieve symptoms and speed up healing.

If you have a sunburn, it is vital to keep your affected skin away from direct sun exposure or artificial sun lamps until your sunburn heals completely. Exposure that occurs too soon after the initial burn can lead to more extensive and painful blistering and burns.

When Should I Go To Urgent Care for a Sunburn?

Severe sunburn cannot be properly treated at home.

You should visit Amory Urgent Care immediately if you experience the following symptoms along with your sunburn:

Fever
Chills
Swelling
Skin inflammation
Nausea or vomiting
Infected blisters
Severe pain
Headache
Confusion
Vision problems
Fainting
Dehydration

Although we cannot entirely prevent the possibility of sunburn when spending time outdoors, there are various ways to effectively reduce your risk of getting one.

Avoid Severe Sunburn With These Tips

The best way to avoid severe sunburn is to follow proper preventative measures every time you’re exposed to sunlight or artificial UV lamps.

To reduce your risk of sunburn

Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors
Stay out of the sun when it’s at its strongest between 10 am and 4 pm
Wear a hat
Use sunscreen daily with an SPF of at least 30.
Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or more when out in the sun for an extended period of time

Long-term sun exposure and sunburns can lead to an increased risk of skin conditions such as

Wrinkles
Brown spots
Skin cancer

It is crucial to take care of your skin and avoid overexposure and burn by following these tips.

Sunburn Care in Amory

At Amory Urgent Care, we believe that you deserve to get the treatment you need when you need it, without long wait times or trips to the doctor or hospital. If you’re experiencing a severe sunburn or another type of burn, we are here to help. We offer all types of care for serious burn treatment 7 days a week. Stop in anytime; no appointments are needed.