Avoiding and Treating Sunburn

Prevention is the best bet with sunburn, but there are ways to ease the discomfort of sunburn if your get it.

There are all kinds of warnings out there by medical professionals and government agencies telling us that over exposure to the sun is not good, and we would all like to think that we stay diligent throughout the Summer to minimize our chances of sunburn, but it does eventually happen.  Best practices dictate that prevention through minimal exposure is best. Avoid mid-afternoon 10am - 2pm for full sun exposure, wear clothing and hats that shade your skin from the sun, protect your eyes with sunglasses that block as much sunlight as possible, and use sun screen products with a minimum SPF 15 (SPF 30 is better) on parts of our skin that are exposed during the day. If your skin starts to look pink, step into the shade.

Burning occurs when you have overexposed your skin to the sun. The CDC says that any discoloration of the normal palor of your skin is a sign that the skin has be damaged - that goes for sunburn, as well as suntan. By the time you notice your skin is turning pink, you should act immediately, as sunburns turn redder after exposure and the burn develops as time passes, even after exposure. 

Once you realize you have a burn, here's some tips to sooth the burn:

  • Take cool showers and baths.  Don't dry completely and try to leave a little moiisture on your skin, followed by a moisturizer to help trap the water in your skin.
  • Apply a cool wet towel to the skin.  This will keep moisture on the skin and releive the burning sensation. Remoisten and reapply when the twoel gets warm.
  • Take aspirin or ibuprofren to help reduce swelling, redness and the pain/discomfort.  Using Aceteminiphen will only help with the pain but not adress the other symptoms of sunburn.
    • Talk to a doctor before using Cortizone cream, especially on kids.
  • Use moisturizer creams to keep your skin soothed.  Don't use any kind of cream or moisturizer with a name ending in '-caine' as these products tend to dry the irritated area. 
  • Minimize exposure of burned skin to the sun. Sunburn denotes that skin is damaged and needs to heal. exposing it to the source of the damage is counterporductive and will only make things worse.
  • Stay hydrated. Sunburn dries you out, and you should take extra steps to make sure that you drink exra water to keep from drying out further.
  • If blisters form, do not pop them! Allowing blisters to heal naturally will reduce the risk of infection and let your body heal as it should.  Blisters are a sign of second degree sunburn, and form as a part of the natural healing process.

Some sunburns are enough to make people physically ill, usually called 'sun poisoning'. Seek medical assistance if your sunburn has any of the following symptoms:

  • Fever and Chills
  • Facial Swelling
  • Blisters Covering a Large Area
  • Headache, Confusion or Faintness

When your sunburn and its symptoms are gone, take extra care to protect your healed skin from the sun to avoid more serious conditions inthe future.

Last but not least, some medications may make your skin more susceptable to damage from the sun, so check with your doctor.  Some common medications that make skin more sensitive include antibiotics, heart drugs, birth control pills, acne treatments and diuretics.

Sports Camps, Speciality Camps, Day Camps in Danvers MA

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts, offers a delightful self-guided walk that is perfect for families with children. The park's 480-acre expanse, once the Moseley Estate, is rich with historical charm and natural beauty. Families can embark on a self-guided tour through lush...
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Music Together - Friday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
10:30 am to 11:15 am

Marblehead Junior Class Carnival

The Marblehead Carnival is a fundraiser for the Marblehead High School junior class in Massachusetts!
Come join the annual Marblehead Carnival sponsored by Junior Class at Devereaux Beach. Each year this carnival serves as a major fundraiser.  You'll find rides, games, and great food!
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Saturday, May 10

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

The Second Saturday in May is the day to help stamp out hunger! Be the Change...
Participate in the Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive, an impactful initiative recognized as the largest one-day food drive in the country. This program offers residents a simple and convenient method to contribute food to those facing food insecurity. All you have to do is place your donation of non-...
7:00 am to 5:00 pm

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts, offers a delightful self-guided walk that is perfect for families with children. The park's 480-acre expanse, once the Moseley Estate, is rich with historical charm and natural beauty. Families can embark on a self-guided tour through lush...
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

ECTA Spring for the Trails

Annual Spring for the Trails Essex County Trail Association ECTAat Willowdale State Forest in Ipswich Massachusetts
Join ECTA for the 11th Annual Spring for the Trails on Saturday, May 10th! The race begins at 8:00 AM sharp on the beautiful trails, both single and double track, of Willowdale State Forest. This course is 100% on trails!
8:00 am

Tulip Festival at Cider Hill Farm

Come cut your own tulips at Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury Massachusetts
A gorgeous, fan-favorite variety of 100k tulips are scheduled to bloom in early May. Welcome spring with this multi-weekend festival featuring free live music, self-guided blooming orchard walks, outdoor hard cider bars, food trucks, fitness n' family activities and cut-your-tulips. General...
8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Annual Long Hill Plant Sale

The Trustees of Reservations Long Hill Plant Sale - a North Shore tradition in Beverly Massachusetts
The Trustees of Reservations invites you to Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens for their annual Long Hill Plant Sale. Enjoy this local tradition in it's 32nd year! Look through a wide selection of plants, from old favorites to rare and unusual species all grown here at Long Hill.
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Beverly Library Spring Book Sale

Beverly Library in Massachusetts hosts hosts their annual book sale and fundraiser. Image is AI generated.
Our annual Friends' Spring Book Sale takes place daily at the main library from Saturday, Saturday May 10 through May 17. The sale will be open daily during regular library hours: Mon.-Thurs., 9AM-9PM; Fri.
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Music Together - Saturday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
9:15 am to 11:15 am

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

2025 Salem Living Green Expo

Salem Living Green Expo at Derby Square in Salem Massachusetts
The Salem Chamber of Commerce and City of Salem Department of Sustainability and Resiliency are collaborating to co-host a Living Green Expo downtown! Come explore the Living Green Expo at Old Town Hall on Sat, May 10th (10AM - 1PM)!! Lots of great North Shore businesses and community organizations...
10:00 am to 1:00 pm