Seeking Advice on Severe Sunburn

Updated on June 23, 2008
J.G. asks from Hereford, TX
17 answers

My 18 yr old daughter went to the lake last Sunday. She came home severely sunburned. She ended up in the ER the next day. She was diagnosed with a second degree sunburn and very dehydrated. They gave her a bag of fluids while there. After we came home I notice her right leg was swelling up. It proceeded to swell to twice its normal size and was hot to the touch. I read on-line this could be a side effect to the sunburn. 5 days later the swelling has almost completely gone down but her shin is still red and warm to the touch. Has anyone experienced this and should I be worried of an infection?
Thank-you in advance,J. G

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So What Happened?

Thank-You to evreyone who has responded. I am not as worried,hearing stories from others. And that others have had swelling also. I have been giving her ibuprofin. And she has been putting the licodain(sp)spray on it.Also,cold compresses. Thats about all she will stand for. She is tired of me "babying her" She is peeling something terrible now and the redness and heat in her leg are just about gone.Thanks again for all the advice. It was much apreciated

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B.N.

answers from Dallas on

I would worry that she has developed a skin/soft tissue infection, called cellulitis which needs to be treated with antibiotics. Have her evaluated by a physician.

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D.A.

answers from Dallas on

hi
alavera plant works,i split the leave and use the inside jelly like substance great healer
never used it on that big of area
good luck
D.

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S.A.

answers from Dallas on

If the sunburn is still painful, go to Walgreens and buy BurnStuff. It's on the first aid aisle -- usually on the top shelf above the Neosporin. It's the best stuff EVER for burns. If you're past the "painful" stage, then go on-line to www.activusa.com and order CurActiv Super, which is from the same company that makes BurnStuff. It's a really great lotion that will nourish her skin as it heals so that she doesn't scar. The Activ offices are in Southlake, TX, so if you need to pick it up to get it sooner, you can. The 800 number from my box of BurnStuff is 1-877-710-6952.

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C.N.

answers from Dallas on

Hello J.!
So sorry to hear of your daughter's sunburn! We have experienced some sunburns in my family as some of us have been very sensitive to the sun at times.
What's helped us:
1. Alovera plant: spreading it generously all over the effected area daily
2. Ester C vitamin daily for natural healing from inside
3. Super Lysine from Health food store or Whole foods by Quantum
for natural immunity booster.
4. Magnesium is a natural pain reliever.
5. Lots of distilled water , some exercise, sleep by 10.
The body does it own repair work at early evening hours.
6. You can try www.silvercreeklabs.org or com and do a phone consultation with Dr. Valerie Saxion, natural nutritionist.
7. Pineapple ,tuna , ginger, tumeric , garlic are all good for inflammation.
Blessings to you and your family!!!!!!
You will get through this!!!!
Sincerely,
C. N

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T.M.

answers from Dallas on

Hi J.,

It helps it you give her a vinegar bath, take and mix up half water and half vinegar in a bowl, take a large hand towel soak it in the bath nad lay it on the area that is burned let it stay there for a good 5 min. it will draw the heat out plus feel good to the person cause it is cool. yes it will stink but it works, you will want to keep applying the bath until all the heat is out who is to say how long but all she will be doing is laying around hurting. once you are sure the heat is out apply her with lots of perfume free aloe they have at wal greens aloe with Lidocaine, it 100 percent aloe with Lidocaine the Lidocaine will sting but at same time num the pain of the burn please make sure it doesnt have perfume in it. you will know when the heat is out before you apply the aloe cause the skin will be cool to the touch. you can email me if you need to.

Godbless

T.

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K.W.

answers from Dallas on

Hi J.. I have been badly sunburned before. I am very light complecter (red head). If you put some vinegar on the sunburn it should help. I am sorry to hear this. I know it is very painful & scarey.Take care.

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N.O.

answers from Dallas on

Make sure she's not wearing any clothing over the burned area. Have her wear her bathing suit top if her shoulders and arms are burned.
I recently was burned after staying at the pool to long and it was horrible! I suffered for days, had 3 young kids to care for and breastfeeding a 10 week old. It was literally one of the most painful experiences I've been through.
It can last for days but if you're worried about infection, get her back to the doctor.
She needs to keep cool wet cloths or rags over the area that's hot to the touch and lots of aloe vera with lidocaine.

Take care and hope she's better soon!

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S.S.

answers from Tyler on

Hi J.,
I have heard it called "sun poisoning" before. But is temporary. Just do what doctors say and she will eventually be back to normal and probalby really cautious with sun exposure in future!!!

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P.B.

answers from Tyler on

I agree it is most likely sun-poisoning (it is too much vitamin D from the sun). I experienced the same swelling you described when I spent 4 hours on the metal bleachers for our high school battle of the classes (field day). The bleachers reflected the sun and intensified it. My legs swelled for days and were hot to the touch as well.

Cool, damp rags help sooth, but if you want the pain to go away, dob some Milk of Magnesia on the skin.

Also, Wal-Mart carries the Aloe Vera gel. It is about $5 or $6 for a LARGE (20.5 oz.) pump bottle (Ocean Potion is the brand). The gel will help heal the skin to keep it from peeling. I do beleive she WILL peel because of the severity of the burn, but this will help to lessen the peeling.

Many prayers for a speedy recovery.

P. <><

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E.H.

answers from Dallas on

J.,

I have experienced this myself while at a soccer playoff game of my daughters. Not realizing I was getting a sunburn, I found afterward that my left leg had swelled tremendously. After a couple of days with it swelled, I went to the doctors in which they gave me an antibiotic because they felt that the sunburn may have caused an infection. It took several weeks for my leg to return to it's normal size. Lesson learned, always wear sunscreen! It was so early in the spring season, I thought I wouldn't need it at the time. I was wrong.

Sun Stricken
E.

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D.C.

answers from Dallas on

This won't help in this case, however it might if it ever happens again. Vinegar will take the heat out a sunburn if you use it as soon as you see the red. Yes, I know it smells bad, but you can put some in a cool bath and let them emerse themselves or you can rub it directly on the skin. It also helps with the pain a little. Good luck and I'm hoping that your daughter is feeling better soon.

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S.M.

answers from Dallas on

I would definitely take her to the doctor just in case of an infection. A few years back my now 7yr. old got an infection on his ankle that was red and warm to the touch. The infection was moving up his leg. We took him to the Dr. immediately and sure enough he had an infection. Can't remember the name of it right now, but it was'nt good. If I remember correctly they put him on antibiotics. Hope this helps. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

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C.H.

answers from Dallas on

ALOE helps heal the skin

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D.J.

answers from Dallas on

I wonder if this isn't cellulitis. Cellulitis occurs when a germ enters the body through an open cut or wound. It's nothing to be concerned about and some antibiotics should knock it out. Can she put weight on her leg? If she cannot, she might have cellulitis. Take her to the dr. as soon as you can. I had this a couple of times and it takes 6 wks for the swelling to go down entirely. Good luck!

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H.C.

answers from Dallas on

That sounds a little suspisious...did they warn you of anything at the hospital? Like if this does this and sooo forth. Poor thing..I will pray for her burn that it will get better and that her leg will heal.

H.

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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

You need to give your dr a call again.
She could still have sun poisoning and see what else you need to do. 2nd degree burns are past any home remedy stage for sunburn, they are burns.

update....I just wanted to add that a sunburn is a burn as well. blisters are are a more severe burn.

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G.B.

answers from Dallas on

If things have not gotten better, you might need to seek medical attention to make sure there is not an infection or a blood clot.

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