Tulsa, Oklahoma, is no stranger to the experience of plenty of sunny weather. People in the area are accustomed to dealing with all different types of weather, but they have a particular familiarity with bright and sunny weather. This is great in most cases, but it is extremely vital that all people understand the dangers that this weather in Tusa can pose as well, including severe sunburn.
Why Sunburn is Dangerous (Particularly for Older Adults)
There is no question that being out in the sun is a good thing in most circumstances, but it is always possible to have too much of a good thing:
Being out in the sun can be good for you. Sunlight can brighten your mood and help you feel healthier. But getting too many ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight or from indoor tanning can harm your skin. It can cause problems right away as well as problems that may develop years later.
The damage that one may sustain to their skin is something that may not heal easily and could cause other health issues. Sunburn is always to be taken extremely seriously, particularly when it relates to older adults.
Actions You Can Take if an Older Adult in Your Care Gets Burned
If an older adult in your care in the Tulsa area is dealing with severe sunburn, there are actions that you can immediately take to try to bring relief to the situation immediately.
Lower the Temperature of the Skin
One of the best ways to reduce the amount of damage that is done to one's skin is to reduce the temperature of that skin as quickly as possible. Lowering the skin's temperature also reduces the chances of inflammation of the skin. This is a major factor in the length of symptoms that one is likely to experience when it comes to sunburn.
Moisturize the Skin
Another action to take immediately upon realizing that there may be an issue with sunburn is to moisturize the affected areas right away. This will help limit dryness, which can cause additional damage to the skin overall.
Use Itch Relief Products
There are numerous itch relief products on the market that can be used directly on the skin to bring down the irritation that one experiences as the result of getting a sunburn. These products are useful for relieving the immediate symptoms that one faces when they are severely sunburnt.
Keep the Older Adult Hydrated
One of the side-effects of sunburn is that an individual may become dehydrated as a result of this incident. It is important to keep the sunburn victim well hydrated during the period of time that they are suffering from the sunburn. For the proper care of an older adult that is under your care, it is necessary to make sure they remain hydrated.
Protection and Prevention are Keep
Sunburn is something that certain groups of people are all too keen to brush off as not being as important or dangerous as some other risks to one's health. However, that is simply not the case. Sunburn can be extremely dangerous to one's health and must be taken seriously every time.