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First Aid Training Sunburn First Aid Basics

An emergency situation may not present as bad as we expect it to be. But that doesn’t mean we should not neglect it altogether. Take sunburn as an example. With as little as 15 minutes of unprotected exposure to the sun, anyone can get sunburn. But since symptoms such as red skin and pain don’t develop until two to six hours after the exposure, we can easily ignore it. What are the signs of sunburn? How do we prevent sunburn then? What are the ways to treat sunburn?

Signs
A sunburn is basically a burn, much like the burns caused by hot stove, hot iron, or a curling iron, that is caused by over-exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.

Sunburns are often first-degree burns that can cause the skin to be red and painful. Peeling of the skin starts a day after the sunburn is acquired. If sunburns are severe and affect both the outer layer as well as the underlying layer of the skin, it is considered as second-degree burn. In this case, swelling and blisters may develop to the affected area. Third-degree burns are extremely rare.

Prevention

Get protection. It sounds like a no-brainer but the reason why people get sunburns is that they simply stay under the sun without any protection. Thus, before going under the sun, apply sunscreen to the exposed parts of your body.  If recovering from sunburn, avoid aggravating the condition by taking a hot bath or showers. Be careful when exposing the skin to the sun.

First Aid Treatment

Get out of the sun. Once again, it sounds like a no-brainer but the truth is, many people ignore the basic fact that a mild sunburn can easily become a severe one. Prolonged exposure to the sun even if the obvious signs of first degree burn are present could lead to blistering second-degree burns. So if you think that you have mild sunburn and don’t want to experience second-degree burn, get out of the sun.

Keep your skin cool by taking a cold bath or a shower. This provides soothing, but temporary relief. This also goes if you experience first-degree burns from other causes.  The human body has the best way of warning others including yourself, that a certain portion of the body should not be touched. Redness of the skin acts as a cordon in a crime scene and pain tells that the portion should not be touched. But if the pain is unbearable, a pain reliever can come in handy.

Aloe Vera can provide a soothing relief.  The stem of the plant has the natural gel that can be used when necessary. But if you need it now and you can’t wait for that aloe Vera plant to grow, you can buy an aloe get at any drugstore. Applying moisturizer regularly can prevent itching.

Keep your skin hydrated by drinking more than your daily water requirement.  Minor burns will usually heal in 2 to 7 days. But if the burn is severe, it is important to seek for professional treatment, especially if there is an increased, redness, swelling, pain, or drainage. Remember, first aid treatments and home remedies should never be substituted with professional treatment

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