The diagnosis

The detection of a sunburn is usually a gaze diagnosis: Due to the typical appearance, sunburn can be detected directly when looking at the image. In addition, there is usually the typical background story with a long exposure to the sun and few protective measures. The symptoms of sunburn are usually itching or pain, redness and in more severe cases blistering or peeling of the skin. Depending on the age of the child, painful symptoms cannot be adequately expressed, but the other characteristics should provide a sufficient picture for the diagnosis.

The treatment

In case of sunburn, the affected area should be cooled and moisturized with moisturizing creams. Any existing blisters should never be cut or pricked: After all, this is an aseptic procedure, so the contents of the blisters are free of pathogens. An injury would greatly increase the risk of infection.

If you experience severe pain, itching or other unbearable symptoms of sunburn, a cortisone cream or the intake of over-the-counter painkillers can help. Particularly suitable here are active ingredients that are not only pain-relieving but also anti-inflammatory, such as ibuprofen or diclofenac. Furthermore, absolute avoidance of sunlight should be maintained for at least one, or better two weeks.

For future exposure to the sun, sufficient sun protection should also be ensured! light sunburns can be treated well with home remedies to accelerate the healing and regeneration of the skin. In the case of a sunburn, cooling, moisturizing and support or reconstruction of the skin barrier should be the first priority.

Yoghurt or quark compresses, for example, can provide cooling and moisturizing of the skin, but should not be applied directly from the refrigerator to the sunburn! It is also not advisable to apply quark or yoghurt directly to the affected areas, as washing off the dried milk products can cause additional irritation of the skin. As a plant, aloe vera has moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and healing properties and is therefore also very well suited for use in sun bandages.

The contents of the aloe leaves can be applied directly to the skin, alternatively, appropriate gels with a high proportion of plant extracts can be selected.Diluted apple vinegar, which has a disinfectant and anti-itching effect, and coconut oil, which contributes to the regeneration of the skin through a number of vitamins, can also help. In general, however, household remedies should not be applied to open blisters or skin areas that have become sore due to peeling, as there would otherwise be an increased risk of infection. Homeopathic medicines should be able to contribute to a better regeneration of the area affected by sunburn.

The choice of the appropriate remedy depends on the symptoms and the overall appearance of the person affected, which is often summarized under the term “drug picture”. Often mentioned homeopathics for use in sunburn include Causticum, Cantharis and Belladonna. Various indications can be found regarding dosage and potency. An administration of 2-3 globules up to four times a day in potency C12 seems to be most often recommended for self-treatment.