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Don’t Feel the Burn How to avoid – and treat – damaging summer sunburns 
You score points for slathering on sunscreen at the beach. However, if that’s the only occasion when you protect your skin you could be risking painful and damaging sunburn. You could also increase your likelihood for developing skin cancer, which is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta. You’re more likely to become sunburned when sun exposure isn’t top of mind, says Marty Visscher, PhD, skin health expert. A sunny, or even overcast, afternoon in the bleachers watching baseball, wandering through an art fair or attending an outdoor concert may not be occasions when you think about applying sunscreen. But that’s when you’re likely to get a painful burn, according to Visscher, director of the Skin Sciences Institute at Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati. You don’t have to imitate a mushroom living in the dark during the summer. You can enjoy your favorite activities and save your skin if you take precautions, including frequent use of sunscreen and protective clothing. Make a habit of applying sunscreen every two hours when you’re outdoors, especially if you’re active, and reapply after swimming, says Maria M. Tsoukas, PhD, assistant professor of dermatology, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Keep sunscreen next to the house keys as a reminder to slather yourself when you’re out, Visscher advises. The product should protect against two types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA (the most common kind of sunlight) and UVB (which doesn’t penetrate as far into the skin, but can be damaging). You’ll see a number indicating the sunscreen’s sunburn protection factor (SPF). Select a sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or above, Tsoukas says. (The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is proposing new guidelines for labeling sunscreen that will help you choose a product based on its UVA protection.) Take cover under a hat. You can find clothing that’s treated with SPF materials, but Dr. Tsoukas doesn’t recommend that unless you’re very prone to burns or have certain health conditions. Some medications can cause photosensitivity, while others might make you more susceptible to infections if you’re badly burned. Check with your physician about sun and skin precautions, Tsoukas says. You may not notice the burn at first, but within a few hours of excessive sun exposure, your skin will feel warm; touch and it stings. Opt for topical care. A heavy cream, such as Vasoline, keeps the body’s water inside the skin and can help provide hydration so you feel better and start to heal, Visscher says. She suggests you avoid creams with menthol. “It can be cooling, but can also irritate damaged skin,” Visscher says. Cool compresses and baths can also offer some relief, says the skin sciences expert. If you have a more serious second-degree burn, blisters may form, Tsoukas says. Don’t break the blisters, which act as skin barriers. Instead, gently coat the burn with a topical cream (Dr. Tsoukas also recommends Vasoline for second-degree burns). Resist the temptation to cool down with ice cubes, which can harm the skin, according to Dr. Tsoukas. If you develop a fever, consult a physician.
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Bev Bennett, a veteran food writer and editor, is the author of "Dinner for Two: A Cookbook for Couples" and "30-Minute Meals for Dummies"
