8 December 2016 | Tennis Victoria

If you have ever been sunburnt you will know just how excruciating it can be.

The painfully ugly and cracked lips. A shiny, red nose not of the Christmas day variety.  The skin on your back and shoulders feels like it is ten sizes too small for your body. The mere thought of stepping into a shower and having that stream of water touch your scorching scalp is enough to keep you indoors and unwashed for the rest of your life. Your clothes don’t seem to fit properly anymore. You can’t sit down. Even your bedsheets feel like they’re made from sizzling sandpaper. You say you will NEVER put yourself through this torture again.

Whether incidental or deliberate, unfortunately many of us have been sunburnt at some point in time and experienced all of this self-inflicted agony, which can have serious consequences.

More than just irritating, uncomfortable and painful, sunburn is also very dangerous. It may seem like a temporary condition, but it is not. Every sunburn causes irreparable damage to your skin and that damage accumulates over time.

Every burn adds to signs of ageing like wrinkles and brown spots. It also dramatically increases the risk of skin cancers and melanoma. Research shows that five or more blistering sunburns throughout your life more than doubles your risk of melanoma.

It is critical that you protect your skin from the sun and avoid getting burnt at all costs. If however, you find your skin has received too much exposure to the sun’s UV rays (we all make mistakes), these expert tips from the Skin & Cancer Foundation Inc can help ease your discomfort and may limit the damage you have caused:

#1 COOL IT, FAST

Often sunburn doesn’t appear on the skin for hours after we have been out in the sun. A slight pink tinge could turn into a nasty red and blistering burn four hours later.

“Mild sunburn will get better over one to two days if you keep out of the sun,” says Associate Professor Chris Baker, from the Skin & Cancer Foundation Inc.

“Simple soothing treatments, such as a cool compress and a moisturising cream, are all that is needed.”

If you feel any change to your skin’s temperature or see any sign of reddening on yourself, or your child, get out of the sun and start treatment IMMEDIATELY.

Move into a cool area and place a cold, damp towel on your skin for 10 to 15 minutes. This will help take some heat out of the skin. You can also take frequent, cool baths or showers to help relieve the pain.

#2 MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE

Your skin becomes dehydrated when it has been exposed to too much sun, so it is crucial you rehydrate it with a moisturiser.

After a cool shower or bath, pat yourself dry but leave a little bit of water on the skin, then slather on a moisturising cream or lotion. After a sunburn, you will notice the moisturiser sink into the skin much faster than usual.

Moisturiser will help soothe the skin and make peeling and flaking less noticeable.

#3 DRINK UP

Have you ever notice that, no matter how much water you drink after getting sunburnt, you still feel dehydrated? This is because all burns draw fluid to the surface of the skin and away from the rest of the body.

For at least two days after a sunburn, you must drink extra water and watch for signs of dehydration: dry mouth, thirst, reduced urination, dizziness and sleepiness. Children are especially vulnerable, so seek medical advice if they appear unwell.

#4 DON’T HESITATE TO MEDICATE

As silly as you have been to get sunburnt, don’t punish yourself further and suffer more than you need to. As soon as you see signs of a sunburn, take a dose of ibuprofen.

“There is some evidence that the early use of an anti-inflammatory medication (such as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) may reduce the severity and duration of sunburn. However medical advice is recommended,” says A/Prof Baker.

#5 TIME TO HEAL

No matter how itchy, sore, dry and flaky your skin becomes, you must never scratch, scrub, pick at or peel your skin or breaking blisters. Your skin is extremely damaged and needs time to repair itself.

The skin of the blisters is protecting the underlying damaged skin, so do not pop them. Popping blisters will mean that the skin dries out and can get infected, which can lead to other serious skin problems.

If your blisters open on their own, clean that area with water to avoid infection. Blisters will gradually reduce in size as your sunburn heals.

#6 SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE

The majority of sunburns can be treated at home. However, if a blistering burn covers 20% or more of your body, you must seek medical attention.

#7 LEARN YOUR LESSON

Consider your burn a warning that you have seriously damaged your skin and increased your risk of melanoma.

Don’t become one of the 12,500 Australians diagnosed with melanoma or 1,800 who die from skin cancer each year.

Check the UV Index every day, protect yourself from the sun and ALWAYS wear sunscreen.

You can view the forecast UV Index each day by visiting the Bureau of Meteorology website or downloading the Sunsmart app.

What should I do if my child gets sunburnt?

Young skin is soft, blemish-free and beautiful. The last thing your child or baby’s skin needs is over exposure to the sun’s damaging UV rays.

Although young skin heals faster than older skin, it is also less able to protect itself from injury, including sunburn. You should be extremely vigilant when protecting your child or baby from the sun.

Babies under six months of age should never be exposed to the sun.

Babies and children over the age of one should receive minimal sun exposure however, if this is unavoidable, they should be protected with sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and protective clothing.

Unfortunately everyone makes mistakes, so if your baby of child’s skin is sunburnt, you should follow these steps, advised by dermatologists, to help relieve discomfort and possibly limit damage:

STEP ONE: REMOVE YOUR CHILD FROM THE SUN IMMEDIATELY AND SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION

For a baby under one year old, sunburn should be treated as an emergency. Call your doctor immediately.

For a child one year or older, call your doctor if there is severe pain, blistering, lethargy, or fever.

STEP TWO: COOL THE SKIN

Place your child in a cool shower or bath – or apply cool compresses as often as needed.

STEP THREE: HYDRATE

Make sure your child drinks extra fluid for the next two to three days. Carefully watch for signs of dehydration: dry mouth, thirst, reduced urination, dizziness and sleepiness.

Children are especially vulnerable to dehydration, so seek medical advice if they appear unwell.

STEP FOUR: DON’T HESITATE TO MEDICATE

Give your child ibuprofen as directed by your GP, to relieve pain. Do not use any medicated cream unless your child’s doctor advises you to.

STEP FIVE: MOISTURISE

Help soothe and rehydrate your child’s skin with a moisturising lotion or cream. An aloe gel may also provide some comfort, however aloe gels have not been proven to benefit the skin after sunburn.

STEP SIX: STAY OUT OF THE SUN

Your child’s skin is very sensitive, especially after a sunburn. Keep your child out of the sun entirely until the sunburn has cleared. You should always minimise your child’s sun exposure and, if sun exposure is unavoidable, make sure they’re wearing sun protection.

STEP SEVEN: THINK PREVENTION!

Take this as a serious warning that your child’s sun-safety net has failed and vow to do better to protect them. That means using sunscreen, covering up with clothing and hats, wearing sunglasses, and avoiding the sun as much as possible.