What Is a Sunburn?
Sunburn is skin damage caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays—usually from the sun, but also from tanning beds. It can cause pain, redness, peeling, and long-term skin damage.
🔥 Symptoms of Sunburn
Symptoms usually appear within a few hours and may include:
- Red, warm, and painful skin
- Swelling or tenderness
- Peeling or flaking (a few days later)
- Blisters (in more severe cases)
- Headache, fever, or chills (if the sunburn is extensive)
- Itching during healing
🧴 What to Do If You Get a Sunburn
✅ Immediate Care:
- Move out of the sun
- Cool the skin: Take a cool (not cold) bath or shower
- Moisturize: Use aloe vera or fragrance-free lotion
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water to help skin heal
- Pain relief: Take ibuprofen or paracetamol if needed
- Avoid further sun exposure until skin heals completely
🚫 What Not to Do:
- Don’t pop blisters
- Don’t peel the skin
- Don’t apply ice directly (can worsen damage)
⏳ Healing Time
- Mild sunburn: 3–5 days
- Moderate: 7–10 days
- Severe: May take 2+ weeks and require medical attention
☂️ How to Prevent Sunburn
- Use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher; reapply every 2 hours)
- Wear protective clothing: Hats, sunglasses, long sleeves
- Avoid peak sun hours: 10 AM – 4 PM
- Seek shade whenever possible
- Be extra careful around water, sand, or snow—they reflect UV rays
🌿 Natural Remedies (for Mild Sunburn)
- Aloe vera gel – soothes and cools
- Cucumber slices – reduce heat and inflammation
- Oatmeal bath – helps relieve itching
- Cold milk compress – soothes skin temporarily
⚠️ When to See a Doctor
- Severe blistering or pain
- Signs of infection (pus, swelling, red streaks)
- High fever, chills, nausea, or confusion
- Sunburn over a large area or in a child under 1 year
🌟 Encouragement:
“The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.”
—Psalm 121:6
Take care of your body—it is God’s temple. Protecting your skin is a way of honoring the health He has given you.
