7 Ways to Treat a Tanning Bed Burn
Ever got a tanning bed to burn? No worries, these are common especially because UV radiation inside a tanning bed is a lot more than that of outdoor tanning. You can get a burn quicker on a tanning bed. Although damage to the skin is irreversible; treating a tanning bed burn prevents inflammation and associated pain, infection and helps skin recover faster.
So, here are some ways to treat one.
1. Bath
Take a quick cool shower to bring down the effects of the burn. Adding vinegar or oatmeal flakes to the water will fasten the healing process. However, do not stand under a strong jet of water since this is more likely to cause irritation and increase skin damage.
2. Topical applications
Aloe Vera on affected areas of skin works wonders. The plant has exceptional properties of soothing inflammation and hence works well on tanning bed burns as well. Alternatively, equal measures of milk and cool water can be applied and left on the affected area for 20 minutes to offer relief from pain.
Plain yogurt also helps to minimize pain and soothes the areas effectively. Stay away from exfoliation until the skin heals and replace lost moisture on the area as frequently as possible. Low-dose hydrocortisone creams also work to treat inflammations and relieve pain.
3. Hydration
The principle of hydration cannot be emphasized more. Exposure to UV rays results in loss of fluids through your skin. And when there is the added trauma of skin damage from it, staying hydrated is a basic requirement. Drink extra fluids to fasten the healing process and avoid dehydration.
4. OTC medicines
Over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen are shown to be effective in treating inflammations from sunburns. However, these need to be taken immediately following burns for them to work.
5. No more tanning
Until your skin and the damaged areas return to normal, it is better to stay away from tanning beds or even outdoor tanning for that matter. They can cause further damage that can never be treated or healed.
6. Avoid picking dead skin
The doctor will advise against picking dead skin or scabs. There might be nothing wrong with picking them. However, if the dead skin is attached to living skin or if the skin underneath is raw; you subject yourself to different problems.
For one, the area becomes susceptible to bacterial infections. Two, you can leave yourself a splendid mark. But, if the skin gets accidentally pulled off, then apply anti-bacterial creams to prevent the onset of infections. Keeping the area covered with a sterile cloth helps to cut off the chances of infections. Therefore, wait for the blisters to fall off by themselves.
7. Professional medical attention
If you are subjected to severe burns and inflammation or if you run a fever, it is better to seek professional medical advice. Your doctor can put you on silver sulfadiazine cream or oral steroids.
Although it is better to prevent tanning bed burns in the first place, sometimes it occurs even when you are guarded. In such cases, exercising proper care and caution is necessary to quicken the healing process.