How to Treat Upper Back & Shoulders Peeling Sunburn

Fun in the sun is something that just about everybody looks forward to, but getting a severe sunburn on your back and shoulders can be very painful. Burning these sensitive, tender areas makes it difficult to do just about anything comfortably, from leaning back on a couch or chair to lying down to sleep at night. Once the skin begins peeling after a sunburn, there is not much that can be done to stop the process, but you can treat the sunburn to reduce your pain and discomfort, plus any further peeling.

Instructions

• 1

  Take a cool shower or bath and soak your upper back and shoulder thoroughly. Continue to submerge the area in cool water frequently. You can even take several cool showers per day to provide relief to the area.

• 2

  Pat skin dry with a clean, soft towel and be sure not to rub. Rubbing skin will encourage peeling and leave your skin feeling raw.

• 3

  Apply aloe vera to the upper back and shoulders by massaging it gently on your skin. You can use a bottled aloe vera gel or apply the gel squeezed out of an aloe plant leaf.

• 4

  Moisturize several times a day with an alcohol-free cream or lotion. Alcohol will dry out the skin, which will further irritate the burn on your upper back and shoulders.

• 5

  Use a topical steroid on any severe areas, such as hydrocortisone cream. This will stimulate the healing process and reduce any itching. Scratching your sunburn will only make the peeling worse.

• 6

  Wear loose clothing that lets your skin breathe. Try loose T-shirts or clothes made of lightweight, soft fabric.

• 7

  Avoid further sun exposure. If you must go outdoors, keep your upper back and shoulders completely covered and wear a hat.