My Mom Has Sun Poisoning. What Should She Do To Treat It?

Here are some facts about sunburn and sun poisoning that may help your mom:

Red, tender skin that is warm to touch. Blisters that develop hours to days later.
Severe reactions ("sun poisoning"), including chills, fever, nausea, or rash.
Skin peeling on sunburned areas several days after the sunburn.

• Try taking a cool bath or shower. Or place wet, cold wash cloths on the burn for 10 to 15 minutes, several times a day. You can mix baking soda in the water to help relieve the pain. Apply a soothing lotion to the skin. Aloe gel is a common household remedy for sunburns. Aloe contains active compounds that help stop pain and inflammation of the skin.


• An over-the-counter pain medication, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be helpful. DO NOT apply petroleum jelly, benzocaine, lidocaine, or butter to the sunburn. They make the symptoms worse and can prevent healing. DO NOT wash burned skin with harsh soap.

Call a doctor immediately if there are signs of shock, heat exhaustion, dehydration, or other serious reaction. Signs include: Feeling faint or dizzy, have rapid pulse or breathing, extremely thirsty.  Very little urination, sunken eyes, pale and clammy skin, nausea, fever, chills, rash, light sensitivity to eyes, or eye pain, and very severe blistering.