Every Spring or early summer it never fails I get burned at least once. Usually April or early May first time cutting grass I over do it and get a little pink. This year since grass never really quit growing I started cutting grass in January or February. I know I had cut it a half dozen times already by the start of June. Last year I don’t think I cut it that many times all summer. The good part of that is I thought I had avoided my annual sunburn.
I wasn’t that lucky. Instead of avoiding it my skin just withstood a little more sun so I didn’t get my first sunburn until the end of June. If you have looked at my photos on here recently you will see several shots of the Blue Angels Practicing here in Huntsville, AL. They were flying right over my house all Thursday and Friday afternoon of last week. So I spent most of the day Thursday the 26th from about 10am until 6pm watching them, shooting photos and just enjoying the show.
I stayed in the shade and was applying sunblock SP45. When I came in to get cleaned up for dinner I noticed I was more than a little pink. Tip buying in bulk is good way to save money, but check expiration dates. Turns out the gallon bottle (slight exaggeration) was bought back when my brother was working in landscaping. He has been in the Navy now for over 10 years if that is any clue. The bottle expired November 1999 and while it may have helped some it was no longer as strong as I needed.
After a quick shower I was really feeling the burn. I was scorched on my arms from the shoulders to fingertips, knees (sitting most the day so most of my legs were spared) and face. Worst of all I had been wearing sandals so my ankles to my toes were burned except where the sandals covered the tops of my feet which made it even worse, reflection of the sun off gravel and concrete driveway really cooked my feet. Knowing the pain I was in for I quickly got online and started looking for tips on how to save myself from intense pain. Also I was still hoping to be able to go to the air show at least one if not both days.
Once you start peeling all you can do is wait, but here are the tips that made my sunburn, easily the worst I have got in 30+ years living in Alabama and Florida, more bearable.
As soon as you first notice you are pink there are a few things you can do to help avoid peeling, infections and most importantly (at least to most of us) pain.
First step avoid things that will dry your skin worse. As soon as possible (within first 12-24 hours) Take a warm/cool shower to help clean your skin. Stay in the shower no longer than around 10 minutes or the excessive water will dry the skin more. The shower is important as dirt and the salt that forms on your skin from sweating will dry the skin. Avoid getting soap/shampoo on the burned areas as it will also dry the skin and aggravate the burn. Pat yourself dry; Rubbing with even the softest towel will irritate the skin and make the pain worse.
Step two Can be done immediately after shower, but definitely want to do this the 2nd day within 24-48 hours of noticing the burn so it can help the most. Spray vinegar on the burned areas. It does not smell that great so best to be outside when spraying down, but it really does work. If your face is burned or you don't have an empty spray bottle instead of just pouring a gallon on you soak a soft paper towel or cloth and pat the burned areas.
The Vinegar helps draw the heat out as well as softens the skin. This helps avoid the inevitable itching/scratching which is what really causes the majority of peeling. Do not over do it with the vinegar, but can reapply as needed to stop itching.
Next thing apply a generous amount of Aloe Vera Lotion. Aloe Vera Gel is a great thing to have in the kitchen area for any type of burn, but there are special brands designed for sunburns which will help more than the common aloe lotion. Aloe gel helps return nutrients to the skin, moisturize and generally help heal the burn. If you can't stand the vinegar definitely grab you a bottle of aloe it truly is a life saver. Personally I have a Aloe Vera plant that I will cut a stalk from and use for severe kitchen burns, but for minor kitchen burns I have a bottle of Banana Boat Aloe Vera gel and a bottle of Aloe Vera After sun Lotion for sunburns.
Last and most important hydrate yourself. Drink plenty of fluids, Water, Gatorade,,,,,Avoid caffeinated drinks as they are not great for hydration. A few cups of coffee or glasses of cola won’t do a lot of damage, but for every oz of coffee or cokes add that much water to your diet. Even if you normally drink plenty of water you need to drink more to help return fluids to the body. The skin takes a lot of water to rehydrate and the more in your system the easier it is for it to heal and return to it’s normal condition.
This was the first time I followed these tips and I was feeling good enough day 2 that I was able to get back outside and shoot some more despite being burned and by day 6 was even able to do yard work making sure grass was cut before the holiday weekend. This may have made things worse, but hey I am a glutton for punishment and most of the time we can't just crawl into bed and wait 1-2 weeks to heal.
Labels: Summer, Sun Burn tips
