Should I work this weekend? 2nd degree sunburn! help ASAP plz!?

Question

Last Saturday (4 days ago) I was at the beach for 10 hours, and even though I put sunscreen on at least 3 times, I managed to get 1st degree burns on my face and upper body, and 2nd degree burns on my shoulders and outer pecs/chest. (1"w x 7"t, on both sides)

I was applying Aloecain Sunday & Monday, and Tuesday I applied Seabreez and Nivea Cream to moisturize it and prevent it from peeling.

However, by Tuesday night it was peeling like crazy and I gave up on the war, and just let it dry out.

I went to my Kickboxing and Grappling classes, and unfortunately the blisters on my left shoulder were torn off while fighting, exposing the second burned layer of skin.

Due to the amount of sweating and such, I figured it was in a lot of danger of getting infected, so after lifting weights for a half hour I took a shower. Just the cool water stung like ... well, you get the idea.

So I put Neosporine on the open wounds (where I tore the blisters off), and covered them with Gauze, and slept for 12 hours (on-and-off =\).

I am now wearing a clean white T-shirt over them, and am wondering if I should put more Neosporine on them or what?

My family refuses to take me to Urgent Care, because it doesn't seem that severe, and I do not have Medical Insurance.

Now my friend has invited me to Six Flags on Friday, I'm supposed to be doing MMA training & Ice Hockey practice, and Sat-Sun I'm supposed to be working, which includes being in the sun for 6 hours both days.

I suppose I will have to cancel them all, unless my blisters heal up before then. But I need to call my boss today and tell him if I'm available to work or not!?

Answer 1

Good grief!  Did you add chicken soup to your ointments?  I understand it's good for everything.

You have to set your priorities. What is more important to you?  Six Flags (fun, yes, but worth the extra burn?)

Your job?  (It could pay for real medicine to ease any itching and burning.)

How do you figure that they are first and second degree burns.  I hope you have compared yours to a photo in a reliable medical book.  Your parents might need to see that.

If you go out any more until these heal, a new burn on new skin would REALLY be damaging.  They are not going to go away over night.  Could you ask for a temporary in-door reassignment?

You seem to be nervous about developing skin cancer in the future.  That is something truly worth keeping an eye open.

If you get really burnt again, be if from the sun, scalding water, or fire, always, always, put ice  (wrapped in a towel or something) on it.  Leave off the ointments and creams.  Every time you apply something, you take a risk at getting it infected in areas.

Remember the rules of fire?  Fire only exists if it has all three of the following:  Oxygen, heat, and fuel.

Your skin was the fuel.  You can't get rid of the oxygen, but you CAN cool the area down with ice packs and cool towels.  The faster you do that, the better the results.

Unless you can be sure you will be out of the sun in the next few days, calling in sick at work and leaving out the Six Flags trip, would do wonders.

Good luck.  If you can convince you parents to take you to the doctor, perhaps he/she could prescribe something for the pain.

Answer 2

First: Despite how much sunscreen you put on, ten hours is still way too long to be out in the sun, especially ten consecutive hours.

Second: As a side note, when you have sunburn there's no way to stop it from peeling. The skin is damaged or dead and you should let it fall off as soon as possible to get all the peeling fun over with.

Third: Try putting first aid cream on your blisters/bad burns and wrapping them again. The Neosporin will prevent infection a little better, but it doesn't help dry it out, which slows healing for burns, blisters and sores.

Fourth: About your schedule, if there is no way to hold an umbrella over your head 24/7 you should avoid going out on sunny days - so you should only go to work or Six Flags if you know it's going to be cloudy. I don't know what MMA is but if it's outside, same schmeel as Six Flags. If it's inside like your hockey practice, the practice will be painful but it can't damage your skin anymore (unless you have blisters on any of your joints). If your not up for a painful practice - something where you probably won't get much more practice out of anything but endurance - I'd recommend skipping those too. When it comes to your being able to heal, every person and thing you cancel on should understand.

Remember: avoid staying out in the sun for so long. Sunscreen is a mild protectant not a shield.

Answer 3

"But no seriously, if anything I'd say Jesus is coming around the year 2027, if he ever comes that is..."

Where did you get this? You said this in an answer 3 months ago. I arrived at this before you were born, and I've tried to explain it only a few times to even fewer people, and no one has ever really understood it. Why you, and why now?

Sorry bout the burn. My wife had sun poisoning at the age of 8 and they used what was known as dirty medicine. They put her in a bath of tomatoes and rubbed sliced tomatoes over her burns. I think it helped, but not sure.

Answer 4

hey, i had 1st degree sunburn when i was in australia (swimming in the sea forgetting to put on cream) and i found that the best thing to do was to use an aloe vera gel. its cooling and helps the skin heal.

you dont say what you do work wise but i dont see any reason not to go. its your call though - if it will be too painful dont go.

hope it heals soon x*x