It is Summer, and people are eager to soak in ample sunshine and the goodness of Vitamin D.

But, there is no such thing as being too safe while going out in the sun. You could be prone to sunburn if you forget to wear sunscreen or take a little longer time to reapply it when outside.

The symptoms of sunburn may take time to become evident, but the damage would have already begun. Classic sunburn symptoms include red, hot, and painful skin. Often, sunburn symptoms are minor and will go away after a few days of rest and home treatment.

But repeated and prolonged sunburns can prove to be serious if left untreated. So, when should you see a primary care doctor in Los Gatos for a sunburn?

Before we get into the answer, let’s understand sunburn better.

Symptoms

Severe and serious sunburns can make you prone to getting skin cancer. So, it’s important not to treat any sunburn lightly and to use a good quality sunscreen.

When you have a sunburn, you will notice the following symptoms.

• Red skin
• Burning sensation
• Peeling skin
• Blistering

Treatment

The sunburn symptoms typically appear only 6-12 hours after sun exposure.

Mild or minor sunburn can easily be treated at home. Drinking plenty of cool fluids, taking cool baths, cool, wet cloths (compresses), application of aloe vera gel can help soothe the affected skin area. Ibuprofen or Tylenol can help relieve pain, inflammation, or swelling.

When Should You See a Doctor for Sunburn?

Most sunburns are minor. But severe sunburns call for immediate medical attention.

Some of the symptoms of severe sunburn are :

• Fever and chills
• Infected blisters
• Swelling or Inflammation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Severe pain
• Headache
• Confusion
• Fainting
• Vision problems
• Dehydration

If you have the above symptoms, it’s time to seek medical help. Dr. Arun Villivalam is a caring and concerned family doctor in Los Gatos, CA and will provide you the care, resources, and treatment that you need for severe sunburn.

Preventive Tips for Sunburn

It is evident that too much sun exposure is the cause of sunburn. So, you need to take preventive measures such as the following before going out in the sun:

• Stay out of the sun between 10 AM – 4 PM, when the sun rays are the strongest.
• Wear a hat and long sleeves in the sun.
• Use sunscreen daily even on cloudy days. Make sure it is at least SPF 30, broad spectrum, and water resistant. Reapply every few hours and after swimming.

Long-term sun exposure may lead to premature wrinkling and skin cancer. So, take care of and protect your skin.

Final Thoughts

One sunburn is not going to leave a significant impact in the long-term, but repeated sunburn and damage can have lifelong effects including cell damage that leads to premature aging, the leathery appearance of the skin, permanent skin damage, sun poisoning, and skin cancer.

So while a minor sunburn is common, repeated and severe sunburns need medical attention.
Protect your skin and go to Los Gatos Doc Urgent Care Center when necessary.