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Sunburn Treatment

Sunburn Treatment Specialist in Alexandria, and Ruther Glen VA

If you have sunburn, then you should consult with a healthcare professional at PACS Urgent Care right away. Some common symptoms of sunburn include redness, swelling of the skin, pain, blisters, fever, chills, confusion, and dry itching. For more information, contact us or walk-in today. We have convenient locations to serve you in Alexandria VA, and Ruther glen VA.

Sunburn Treatment Specialist Near Me in Alexandria, and Ruther Glen, VA
Sunburn Treatment Specialist Near Me in Alexandria, and Ruther Glen, VA

Table of Contents:

What is sunburn exactly?
What are the degrees of sunburn?
How do you know when sunburn is serious?
Should I go to urgent care for a sunburn?

What is sunburn exactly?


Sunburn is a skin condition when you are exposed to a lot of UV rays from the sunlight. It is a radiation burn that affects the upper level of skin – with or without clothes. Sunburn and a tan are not the same things. A tan is your body’s way of showing that you cannot have severe sunburns. But the tan can be a part of the sunburn, too, and having dark skin does not ensure that you may never have sunburn. You can also get sunburn in cool or cold weather with less sunlight. As well, snowy or beachy areas may reflect the sun’s UV rays, causing sunburn. During sunburn, your skin may turn pink or red, sometimes causing it to cut open and bleed. A mild sunburn may further cause the upper layer to peel off to make way for new skin growth. To technically understand sunburn, know that the sun emits UV radiation of three kinds – A, B, and C. In the hierarchy of mild to severe, UV-C mostly goes into the upper atmosphere, causing less skin harm. UV-B causes mild sunburns as it goes to the upper skin layer only. UV-A goes deeper into the fatty tissues and may cause second or third-degree burns. 

What are the degrees of sunburn?


Sunburn looks like red and injured skin due to overexposure to UV sun rays (or even an artificial heat source). The burn may vary from mild to severe. Mild sunburn, or first-degree sunburn, refers to red, dry, and irritated skin that feels “hot to touch.” First-degree burns don’t blister. If it blisters, it means that the burn went deep inside the skin that it injured the second layer of skin, and thus blisters. This is a second-degree sunburn. The blister may or not be pus-filled, but it still implies that the burn will take a lot of extra care and time to heal. A blistering sunburn is a matter of grave concern. Still, if your skin blisters due to a sunburn, don’t touch it – picking or popping. If they break on their own, clean the pus and keep it dry. Visit a walk-in clinic as soon as second-degree sunburn symptoms start showing. A third-degree burn is rare, but it can happen to some outdoor enthusiasts and can cause scarring. Overall, if your burn starts becoming dark red, maroon, or black, then you need to visit a doctor immediately. There normally are not many cases of black sunburns, but if you are not sure, or are, also visit a primary care specialist immediately.

How do you know when sunburn is serious?


Skin that turns slightly pink or red is not a severe case. It will usually take a couple of days for the burning sensation to die down, and another couple for the sunburn to fade away. You will know if your sunburn is serious if you have the following symptoms: faintness, confusion, increased breath as well as heart rate, dehydration, nausea and vomiting, chills and fever that does not go below 102°, pus-filled blisters, skin turning green, or infection in the skin area.

Should I go to urgent care for a sunburn?


The ultimate sunburn treatment is prevention. Be smart and wear sunscreen. Also, try and take breaks from being out in the sun – get some shade or go inside for 15 or 20 minutes every so often. However, if you happen to get sunburn at the beach or while lounging by the pool with the kids, take proper care. Apply cool moisturizer, and aloe vera gel; stay hydrated, and wear breathable fabric. For mild sunburns, give your body the time to heal. If you have second-degree or third-degree sunburn, visit a doctor right away. Children and babies with sunburn should always visit a doctor. If you or your baby has suffered a severe sunburn and think that you need urgent care, book an appointment today with our team of healthcare professionals at PACS Urgent Care. Every case is different and this is why we provide personalized treatment for every sunburn case. For more information, call us or book an appointment today. We have convenient locations to serve you in Alexandria VA, and Ruther glen VA! We serve patients from Alexandria VA, Ruther Glen VA, Bagdad VA, Athens VA, Balty VA, and Doswell VA.

Our Locations

Ruther Glen

  • 11073 Colonel Armistead Drive Suite 105 Ruther Glen, VA
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Alexandria

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