Guide To Treating And Preventing Sun Poisoning

Use A Cooling Moisturizer

The outer layer of skin affected by sun poisoning will most likely begin to peel off in a few days to a week. In the interim, individuals can use a cooling moisturizer to soothe their skin and provide some pain relief. Cooling moisturizers often contain aloe, a plant-derived gel with cooling and moisturizing properties. Many ingredients can alleviate the burning sensation of sun-poisoned skin such as yogurt, milk, and menthol. Many moisturizers incorporate these ingredients into lotions for the added benefit of cooling and moisturizing. After-sun gels and creams are made specifically for providing relief to sunburned skin. These cooling moisturizers can be found in most pharmacies.

Take Over-The-Counter Pain Reliever Medication

Patients who have a mild case of sun poisoning may want to take over-the-counter pain reliever medication to ease the discomfort associated with this condition. Generally, doctors recommend taking acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), ibuprofen, or naproxen to start. Due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, individuals under nineteen years old should not take ASA. All patients taking over-the-counter pain relievers should take no more than the recommended dose, and the medication should be used for the shortest possible amount of time. Patients who have hypertension, liver, or kidney issues need to consult their doctor before using ibuprofen. The medication can cause side effects, including upset stomach, mild itching, dizziness, diarrhea, and ringing in the ears.

The recommended adult dosage of oral ibuprofen is two to four hundred milligrams every four to six hours, and patients should take no more than 3200 milligrams per day. Taking more than four hundred milligrams at one time has not been shown to be any more effective than the standard dose. Individuals taking naproxen should remain vigilant for potential side effects such as heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, headaches, and bruising. Some individuals taking this medication may also experience chest tightness and breathing difficulties. Patients using oral naproxen can start with a one-time dose of 440 milligrams in the first hour, and follow-up doses of 220 milligrams can be taken every eight to twelve hours if symptoms continue. No more than 660 milligrams of naproxen should be used in a twenty-four-hour period.