While burns caused by tanning beds and exposure to the sun's UV rays have similar symptoms and treatments, tanning bed burns can occur with less exposure. This is because the ultraviolet light inside a tanning bed is highly concentrated. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, symptoms of sunburn, such as redness and pain, typically develop between six and 12 hours following exposure to UV light. Treatment of tanning bed burns focuses on relieving pain and inflammation, preventing additional skin damage and infection,and speeding healing.
Step 1
Take an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, immediately after leaving the tanning bed. These medications will ease pain and reduce swelling from severe tanning bed burns when taken promptly after sun or tanning bed exposure, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 2
Take a cool bath or shower as soon as possible. The cool water will soothe the burn and reduce skin inflammation. Avoid standing directly beneath a strong jet of shower water, as this may increase irritation and further damage your skin.
Step 3
Apply aloe vera gel to your skin to moisturize and soothe it, or use a compress of diluted milk to alleviate pain and burning. Because milk will spoil in a short time, replace the compress every hour or two.
Step 4
Drink extra fluids to speed healing and prevent dehydration that can result from severe tanning bed burns. Your body requires extra fluids to recover from skin burns.
Step 5
Try a low-dose hydrocortisone cream on areas of burned and inflamed skin. The cream, which is available at most pharmacies, will help speed healing and reduce pain. To increase effectiveness, use hydrocortisone cream for the first 24 to 48 hours after burning.
Step 6
Keep your hands off of your sunburn, and never break open blisters that form on your skin. Blisters develop as a protective response to skin trauma, and breaking them increases your risk of infection. Apply antibiotic ointment to any open blisters, then cover them with a sterile gauze pad.
Step 7
Avoid additional sun exposure until your tanning bed burn is completely healed. This applies to natural sunlight exposure as well as to tanning beds.
Step 8
Call your doctor for advice if you develop large blisters, run a fever or notice increasing swelling in the days following your burn. In rare cases, sunburns require professional treatment with IV fluids, oral steroids and prescription creams.
Things You'll Need
- Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication
- Aloe vera gel
- Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream
- Antibiotic ointment
- Sterile gauze
