One day it’s sunny and warm and we think summer has arrived – the next it’s overcast and drizzly again. Beware – it’s easy to overdo the sun exposure when those really beautiful days put in an appearance – after all, most of us are keen for a bit of a tan but none of us knows when the next sunny day will be bestowed upon us!
But be warned; if you’re sunburnt we really can’t deliver osteopathic and massage treatment to the affected areas. Sunburn is an inflammatory process and hands-on treatment will cause further damage and irritation. Even a mild case of sunburn should be out of the acute phase (24-28 hours after the burn) before any massage work is performed.
The best thing of course is not to allow yourself to burn in the first place, but if you do…..
- Get out of the sun and into the deep shade – ideally indoors.
- Drink lots of water – until your urine is almost clear.
- Take an over the counter pain killer – paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin – whatever you would normally use.
- Apply a cold compress – for up to 10 minutes at a time – fridge cold, not freezer cold.
- Take a tepid baths or showers – avoid using soap and don’t soak for more than 10-15 minutes or the skin is susceptible to further damage.
- Adding a few heaped tablespoonfuls of baking soda or a few cupfuls of oatmeal to the bath water will help to soothe the skin.
- Gently pat yourself dry with a soft towel, or even better allow to air dry.
- Apply Aloe Vera gel or a light, fragrance-free moisturiser.
- Wear light, loose clothing
If the skin is severely burnt and symptoms include fever, chills, nausea or blistering, seek medical help.
