The most effective sunburn treatment simply helps ease your discomfort:

• Keep it cool. Apply cold compresses - such as a towel dampened with cool water - to the affected skin. Or take a cool bath.
• Keep it moist. Apply aloe or moisturizing cream to the affected skin. Avoid products containing alcohol, which can further dry out skin. Beware of sunburn treatment products containing anesthetics, such as benzocaine. There's little evidence that these products are effective. In some cases, they may even irritate the skin. Don't use benzocaine in children younger than age 2 without supervision from a health care professional. If you're an adult, never use more than the recommended dose of benzocaine and consider talking with your doctor.
• Leave blisters intact. If blisters form, don't break them. You'll only slow the healing process and increase the risk of infection. If needed, lightly cover blisters with gauze.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. If needed, take anti-inflammatory medication - such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) - according to the label instructions until redness and soreness subside. Don't give children or teenagers aspirin. It may cause Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease.
• Treat peeling skin gently. Within a few days, the affected area may begin to peel. This is simply your body's way of getting rid of the top layer of damaged skin. While your skin is peeling, continue to use moisturizing cream.

Consult a doctor for sunburn treatment if:

• Severe sunburn covers a large portion of your body with blisters
• Sunburn is accompanied by a high fever or severe pain
• Severe sunburn doesn't begin to improve within a few days

To prevent future episodes of sunburn, use sunscreen frequently and liberally. Select a broad-spectrum product - one that provides protection against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation - with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. If you take medications that make sunburn more likely, be especially careful. A common example is tetracycline taken orally for acne. Common sense counts, too. Cover up while you're outdoors, and stay in the shade as much as possible.

Article written by Kayleen Hornbrook, D.O., of Family Physicians at Prairie Trail for Ankeny Living Magazine.  

Information courtesy of mayoclinic.com.