A 30-year-old member asked:
i have a really bad sunburn and it has started peeling and exposing the fresh skin underneath. it is swollen and extremely red in some places. how do i keep it moist?
2 doctor answers
Dr. Heidi Fowler answered
25 years experience Psychiatry
Don't pull on skin: 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.
Answered on Jan 15, 2015
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2 thanks
Dr. Michael Miller answered
36 years experience Wound care
Simple Treatment: Sunburn is response of the tissues to injury from solar radiation. It is simply inflammation which means increase blood flow to the area to promote healing. Do not use ice as this can injure already injured skin. Cool water soaks can help as can taking anti-inflammation medicines like Motrin or advil (ibuprofen). Avoid any further damage as this can cause scarring . Good skin cream applied daily/gently helps.
Answered on Apr 3, 2017
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3 thanks
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Related questions:
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. James Ferguson answered
46 years experience Pediatrics
Burn care issues: As the sunburn sheds overlying blisters/skin a sensitive under layer is exposed. A liberal use of a lubricating lotion & monitoring for infection ... Read More
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Johnnie Strickland Jr answered
33 years experience Family Medicine
Nothing: You lose the top layer of your skin every 7 days anyway and with sunburn the damaged skin has to come off. The redness has to heal over time. You ca ... Read More
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1 thank
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. David Kam answered
36 years experience ENT and Head and Neck Surgery
Yes: Allergic reaction to any plant or chemical can cause redness and peeling of skin.
1
1 thank
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Jovita Anyanwu answered
30 years experience Internal Medicine
Sunburn: Generally Use of topical antibiotics and dressing may help. May require treatment for secondary infection and no improvement
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