How to treat peeling skin
If your skin has started peeling after sunburn, there are things you can do to stop it from getting worse.
Dry, peeling skin is most commonly a sign of damage to the upper layer of your skin (epidermis) caused by sunbrun. However, peeling skin can also be a sign of an immune system disorder or other illness.
If your skin has started peeling after sunburn, there are things you can do to stop it from getting worse. As tempting as it is, don’t pull your peeling skin off. Instead, allow it to slough off your body on its own.
Here are some treatment methods and tips to stop the peeling once it’s started.
1 Take a pain reliever
Take an over the counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or aspirin. These medications work to reduce the pain, inflammation and redness surrounding your sunburn.
2 Use a soothing anti-inflammatory cream
Apply a topical anti-inflammatory cream to your sunburn, such as aloe vera or cortisone cream.
Avoid petroleum-based or other oil-based creams as these may trap heat and make your sunburn and peeling even worse. Try to moisturize right after you bathe, when your skin is still damp, to help seal in moisture.
3 Take a cool bath
Take a cool (just below lukewarm) bath. This can help ease the pain of your sunburn and stop your skin from peeling further.
Avoid showering if your skin is blistered in addition to peeling, as showering may pop your blisters and trigger more peeling. Do not use soaps or bath oils when you bathe. These can make your peeling worse.
4 Be gentle with your skin
Avoid rubbing your skin with a towel after you bathe. This can make peeling worse. Instead, pat your skin dry with a towel.
5 Make a cool compress
Place a cool, wet compress on your skin for 20 to 30 minutes to soothe irritation and stop peeling. Be sure not to apply ice directly to your skin as that may cause further irritation.
6 Stay hydrated
Make sure you keep your skin hydrated by drinking at least 8 glasses of clear liquids day while you recover from your sunburn. This will help reduce peeling.
7 Keep it covered
Protect your peeling skin from further damage by keeping it covered with clothing or a very thin layer of sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
In most cases, your skin will start to peel about three days after you get burned. Peeling usually stops when the burn has healed — about seven days for milder burns.
(Source: Health Line)
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