A tanning bed burn results from excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, similar to a sunburn from natural sunlight. This overexposure damages skin cells, triggering an inflammatory response that manifests as painful redness and discomfort. Understanding how to address these immediate symptoms and support skin healing can significantly reduce the severity and duration of a tanning bed burn.
Immediate Soothing Actions
Cooling the affected skin is a primary step for a burn. Taking a lukewarm bath or shower dissipates heat and reduces pain. Applying cool, damp compresses to the burned areas for 10 to 15 minutes offers relief several times a day without shocking the skin with cold temperatures.
Following cooling, applying soothing agents alleviate discomfort. Products containing aloe vera are effective, reducing redness and swelling due to anti-inflammatory properties. Lotions with ceramides or hyaluronic acid are beneficial, providing moisture and supporting the skin barrier. Choose fragrance-free, non-irritating formulations to avoid irritation.
Maintaining proper hydration is crucial. A burn draws fluid to the skin’s surface, leading to dehydration. Drinking extra water replenishes lost fluids and supports healing. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can reduce pain and inflammation associated with it.
Supporting Skin Recovery
Protecting the healing skin from UV exposure is important for recovery. Staying indoors or wearing protective clothing prevents additional damage and allows healing. Continued sun exposure can exacerbate the burn and prolong the healing process.
Keeping the skin moisturized promotes healing and minimizes peeling. Applying gentle, fragrance-free lotions or creams frequently maintains skin hydration, supporting repair. Avoid petroleum-based or oil-based creams on fresh burns, as these can trap heat and worsen discomfort initially.
Resist the urge to pick at or peel the skin, even if it starts to flake. Peeling is the natural process of shedding damaged cells, and interfering with it can delay healing, increase infection risk, and potentially lead to scarring. Wearing loose, breathable clothing prevents friction and irritation on burned areas. When cleansing the skin, use mild soaps and avoid harsh scrubbing, as this can damage the compromised skin barrier.
Recognizing When to Seek Medical Care
While many tanning bed burns can be managed at home, certain symptoms indicate professional medical attention. Severe blistering, especially if covering large areas or sensitive regions like the face or genitals, requires medical evaluation. Intact blisters act as a protective barrier, and if they rupture, infection risk increases.
Signs of infection include increasing pain, redness, warmth, swelling, or pus/red streaks around the burn. These suggest bacterial invasion requiring antibiotic treatment.
Systemic symptoms like high fever (over 103°F or 39.4°C), chills, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, or fainting could indicate heatstroke or severe dehydration, requiring immediate care. Persistent or worsening pain that does not improve with over-the-counter remedies suggests medical assessment.