Summer Burn Care Essentials

Summer welcomes the return of the hot sun and sizzling BBQ. Although we enjoy basking in the sun and cooking on the BBQ, it’s important to remember that both pose dangers of getting burnt. Familiarise yourself with how to treat these burns with our Medicare range.

What is a Burn?

A burn occurs when heat, chemicals, sunlight, electricity or radiation damages skin tissue. Most burns happen accidentally. There are different degrees of burns. Your healthcare provider determines the seriousness (degree) of a burn based on the depth of the burn and the amount of affected skin. Burns can be painful. Left untreated, a burn can lead to an infection.

Types of Burns

First-Degree Burn
Mildest skin burns where the epidermis is damaged. Skin will be red, slightly swollen, and painful but not blistered.

Second-Degree Burn
Epidermis and part of the epidermis are damaged. Skin will be pale pink, there may be blistering and swelling.

Third-Degree Burn
Most serious burn, all three layers of the skin are damaged. The skin is burnt away and the tissue underneath may appear pale or blackened. The remaining skin will be dry with no blisters.

How to Treat Sunburn

Cool Down 
Taking a quick, cool shower will soothe the damaged skin and provide relief. Do not bathe the skin for too long as it can be drying and lead to further skin irritation.

Apply Medicare Burn Gel with Aloe Vera 
Our Medicare Burn Gel with Aloe Vera is used to treat sunburns, minor burns and scalds. The gel is water-based with aloe vera to help heal and reduce discomfort of the skin after a bad burn.
Medicare Aloe Vera Gel is a natural way to restore hydration to the skin. It is a light, non-greasy gel which easily absorbs into the skin. A top tip is to leave your burn gel/ aloe vera in the fridge. This will add further relied to the damaged area.

Pain Relief 
If the burn is swollen and red, taking ibuprofen/aspirin will help to reduce discomfort.

Wear Loose Clothing
To allow healing, wear light and comfortable baggy clothing.

Stay out of the Sun.
Getting burnt over sunburn can be dangerous and cause a lot of further damage to the skin including blistering, swelling and flu-like symptoms. It is advised to avoid the sun for a few days to allow the skin to heal and get rid of the sun-damaged cells. If avoiding the sun isn't possible, wear clothing over the burnt area to cover and protect it along with a high SPF for extra protection.

Re-hydrate 
Sunburn causes fluid to be drawn to the skin's surface taking it away from the rest of the body. It is important to replace this fluid and to stay hydrated.
Contact a healthcare professional if your skin is blistered/ swollen or if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

How to Treat a BBQ Burn

Keep your Distance.
Prolonged heat to your skin can worsen the type of burn so it is important to treat it immediately. Remove any jewellery or clothing that would restrict the area from swelling.

Cool the Area
Place the affected area under cold running water for 15-20 minutes. This is to relieve pain and minimise swelling of the area. Do not apply ice or ice packs to the area.

Apply Burn Gel
The Medicare Burn Gel is perfect to treat minor burns and scalds. Keep it in the fridge so it provides more relief.

Cover the Burn
Cover the area with a burn plaster or dressing depending on the severity and size of the burn. Medicare Burn Plasters are ideal for minor and superficial burns. They contain hydrogel which helps to cool and soothe the burn while also preventing infection. The Medicare Burn Dressings are perfect for larger burns. They come in a variety of sizes and promote healing to the skin.

Explore Our Burn Care Range