Tips for protecting your skin from sun's harmful rays

Summer is here and for many that means enjoying more outdoor activities. While it's important to remember sun safety, from time-to-time sunburns are bound to happen. Covenant Health System would like to promote sun safety and offer some useful remedies for dealing with sunburns. Darla Porter, R.N., M.S.N., F.N.P.-C., Covenant nurse practitioner, offers some helpful tips on how to soothe your sunburn and protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.

The goal is to cool and cleanse your sunburn.
Tropical creams containing aloe vera, cocoa butter or lidocaine provide the best relief when applied to the sunburn.
Vinegar works great to get the sting out.
Wash your sunburn with a Hibiclens or Betadine antiseptic skin cleanser to prevent infection.
Placing peeled cucumber slices directly on the sunburn provides a cooling effect for delicate areas such as the face and neck.
For mild pain associated with sunburns, acetaminophen (Tylenol) or non-steroidal inflammatory pain relievers such as Aleve or Advil can be helpful.
It is important to drink plenty of water (six to eight glasses a day) to prevent headaches and fatigue.
If your sunburn is causing dizziness, fever, chills, nausea, headaches, swelling, purple blotches, excessive itching, visual difficulties or fluid-filled blisters, you should seek medical attention.
Stay out of the sun until your sunburn is completely healed to avoid any further skin damage.
If your sunburn is not healing, contact your health care provider.

Source: Covenant Health System