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Home care begins 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.

- Don't stay under the sun

- Protect nude skin

- Avoid the tanning bed

- Relief of the lesions becomes important.

- Medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are useful, especially when administered early.

Minor sunburns can be treated by applying cool compresses with equal parts of milk and water. You may also use cold compresses with Burow's solution. You can find this at a drugstore. Dissolve 1 packet in 1 pint of water. Soak gauze or a soft clean cloth in it. Gently wring out the cloth and apply to the affected 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 apply the cool jellylike substance found inside the leaves to soothe your skin.

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

Don't use lotions containing topical anesthetic medications because you can become sensitized and then allergic to that medicine.

Needless to say, stay out of 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 lesion is mild and not life threatening, the doctor can simply recommend plenty of liquids, aspirin, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

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

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

Stronger pain-alleviating medication can be prescribed in certain cases.

If you suffer blistering, steroids can be withheld to avoid an augmented 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 grievous cases may be transferred to the hospital's burn unit.