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Suggest Remedy For Sunburn On Leg
Question: Hi. I have just been to the pharmacist and they have given me hydrocortisol cream for sunburn on my leg. There are no blisters. Does this mean my burn is 2nd degree? Is there anything else i can do to speed up recovery? How long will recovery take? Thanks
Brief Answer:
A first degree burn due to sun should take about a week to resolve
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am Dr.Kakar (Dermatologist). I have gone through your query and I have noted your concern.
A sunburn which has just erythema/ redness without blisters is a first degree burn. It is superficial process with capillary dilations and increase in blood circulation giving rise to redness and warmth. There might be some pain as well.
Hydrocortisone is a mild topical steroid and its purpose is to reduce discomfort, inflammation and redness in a sunburn and to help faster resolution of a sunburn. If you have pain, you may take a tablet of acetylsalicylic acid i.e aspirin 325 mg, twice or thrice daily for 2-3 days.
The redness, swelling and discomfort should reduce in next 3-5 days of hydrocortisone application and there might be some post-inflammatory desquamation which should resolve in 2-3 days; the whole process taking about a week.
Use a moisturiser once desquamation starts.
Regards
A first degree burn due to sun should take about a week to resolve
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am Dr.Kakar (Dermatologist). I have gone through your query and I have noted your concern.
A sunburn which has just erythema/ redness without blisters is a first degree burn. It is superficial process with capillary dilations and increase in blood circulation giving rise to redness and warmth. There might be some pain as well.
Hydrocortisone is a mild topical steroid and its purpose is to reduce discomfort, inflammation and redness in a sunburn and to help faster resolution of a sunburn. If you have pain, you may take a tablet of acetylsalicylic acid i.e aspirin 325 mg, twice or thrice daily for 2-3 days.
The redness, swelling and discomfort should reduce in next 3-5 days of hydrocortisone application and there might be some post-inflammatory desquamation which should resolve in 2-3 days; the whole process taking about a week.
Use a moisturiser once desquamation starts.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Answered by
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