Summer is here and it’s important for seniors to remember that the sun can cause some serious sunburn. Seniors should always wear sunscreen, even if they aren’t going out in the sun. Just being around the bright sunlight streaming in the windows can be enough to cause seniors to get sunburned. Seniors with elder care can get help applying sunscreen from an elder care provider. Make sure that the sunscreen has an SPF of at least 30, but higher is better. Some companies make sunscreen with an SPF of 70 or higher.
But sunscreen, hats, and other sun protection aren’t always enough to prevent sunburn. Sometimes the sunscreen wears off. Other times it may wash off, if seniors are swimming or kayaking for example. Any senior that gets sunburn where the skin starts to blister should go to urgent care to get immediate treatment. But seniors who have a sunburn that doesn’t blister can use these home remedies to stop the burn and the pain:
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a natural watery gel like substance that comes from the leaves of Aloe Vera plants. Your senior parent or grandparent may keep an Aloe Vera plant in the kitchen in case of burns that happen while cooking. Aloe Vera has natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It’s also very cool and soothing. Aloe Vera has been used to treat burns for centuries. Seniors or a an elder care provider can cut open a leaf of Aloe Vera to get fresh Aloe Vera juice to put on a sunburn. It provides instant cooling and soothing and it will help the burned skin heal. If your senior parent doesn’t have an Aloe Vera plant they can buy commercial Aloe Vera gel at any drugstore. Keep it in the fridge so it’s nice and cold and it will be extra soothing on a sunburn.
Cold Compress Or Cold Shower
Putting a cold compress like an ice pack or even a bag of frozen vegetables on the sunburned area will provide instant relief or seniors with sunburns. A cold shower or bath can also provide relief. Seniors with bad sunburns should try frequent cold showers or stay in a cold bath for as long as possible refreshing the water as it gets room temperature so it’s nice and cold.
Cucumber
Cucumber has similar properties to Aloe Vera and it’s very inexpensive and easy to get. To use cucumber to soothe a sunburn have an elder care provider chop up a cucumber and mash it into a paste. Apply that with a cold wet washcloth or towel to the burned area. Change the cloth or towel when the cucumber is room temperature. Try to keep the compress on for at least fifteen minutes.
Oatmeal Bath
A relaxing and very soothing cure for a sunburn is a milk and oatmeal bath. An elder care provider can run a cool bath adding a cup of milk and a cup of whole oats to the tub. It will be messy to clean up but very soothing to the skin.
If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Hillsborough, NC, please contact the caring staff at East Carolina Home Care today. Call (919) 601-7810.
Providing quality home care for seniors and families in and around Morrisville, Apex, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, Oxford, Roxboro, Carrboro, Rougemont, Pittsboro and Durham in North Carolina.
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