A 36-year-old member asked:
what is the best way to treat a sunburn?
4 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Jeffrey Kass answered
Podiatry 28 years experience
Apply aloe: Apply aloe vera to the burn, take an antiinflammatory, and "tincture of time".
5724 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Heidi Fowler answered
Psychiatry 25 years experience
Sunburn care: Keep sunburn cool with moist cool/cold compresses. Avoid alcohol containing products. Break off pieces of aloe vera plant & apply sap to skin. Consider non-steroidal anti-inflammatory meds to reduce pain. Don’t yank off peeling skin or burst blisters. Seek medical care for severe pain, fever, lack of improvement of symptoms within several days or if a large surface area is blistered.
5032 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Ralph Morgan Lewis answered
Family Medicine 38 years experience
Not really: Cool compresses; aloe vera gel (avoid the ones with Benzocaine as they can cause allergic skin reaction); topical otc steroid cream for more painful burns (remember to use very sparingly to avoid potential skin damage). Prevention is even better: sun blocks that protect against uva & uvb applied b4 exposure; long sleeves, broad-brimmed hats, pants. For sever blistering, see fp.
5698 viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged

Dr. Heidi Fowler answered
Psychiatry 25 years experience
Sunburn Tx: I agree with dr. Lewis. Apply cool compresses. Aloe vera (aloe barbadensis) can reduce redness, pain, itching & swelling from a burn. It has anesthetic, anti-inflammatory & antibacterial / antifungal qualities. It can speed burn healing by stimulating growth of new skin. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and acetomenophen can be very helpful. Hydrate well and don't peel off any deep layers.
5182 viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
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Similar questions
A 23-year-old member asked:
What's the best way to stop a sunburn from peeling?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. David Rothwell answered
Family Medicine 24 years experience
Moisture: If the burn is deep enough there is nothing you can do. Aloe for soothing relief and lotion may help or at least minimize peeling.
Prevention again is key.....Avoid the burn!
5750 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
What is the best way to soothe sunburns and help the redness go down?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Stephen Friedman answered
Dermatology 41 years experience
Topical treatment: The best treatment for sunburn is prevention with sunscreens, sun protective clothing, hat, and sunglasses. If redness and discomfort occur, topical non steroidal and oral anti-inflammatory medications will help the symptoms. Also, topical corticosteroid may relieve itching as the skin heals. Cool compresses and luke warm baths may also reduce pain and itch.
5736 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
What is the best thing to put on a 2 degree sunburn?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Greg Sexton answered
Plastic Surgery 39 years experience
Not much: Apply moisturizing lotions to keep it from drying, and this will help some. Aloe is considered helpful by some.
If you have actual blistering, then this is a second degree burn, and should be treated with an antibiotic cream-neosporin- until it heals.
5710 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
What is the best way to soothe a sunburn?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Greg Sexton answered
Plastic Surgery 39 years experience
Not much: Apply moisturizing lotions to keep it from drying, and this will help some. Aloe is considered helpful by some.
If you have actual blistering, then this is a second degree burn, and should be treated with an antibiotic cream-neosporin- until it heals.
5710 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
What is the best way to take care of a sunburn?
4 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Greg Sexton answered
Plastic Surgery 39 years experience
Not much: Apply moisturizing lotions to keep it from drying, and this will help some. Aloe is considered helpful by some.
If you have actual blistering, then this is a second degree burn, and should be treated with an antibiotic cream-neosporin- until it heals.
5710 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Jun 9, 2018
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