Summer is the time for vacations when many of us move closer to the sea or other natural reservoirs. However, just then, many residents of the northern regions have a problem when their skin itches after tanning. Today we will try to figure out why this is happening and how to deal with it.
How does the sun affect the skin?
Under the influence of ultraviolet rays, complex biochemical processes begin to occur in human tissues. As a result, the production of cells containing melanin is activated, which gives the skin a beautiful brownish tint. Meanwhile, ultraviolet has a positive and negative effect on the human body.
Those who are worried about why the skin itches after sunbathing will be interested in the fact that the sun's rays contribute to the production of vitamin D, which is necessary for healthy skeletal system. They also kill pathogenic microflora and improve tissue repair. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation in the human body, the synthesis of the hormone of joy, enhancing the overall emotional background, occurs.
However, we must not forget that prolonged exposure to the sun can cause burns, allergic reactions, early aging and excessive dryness of the skin. Therefore, you should not be exposed to too long exposure to ultraviolet rays.
How does a burn occur and how is it dangerous?
To understand why the skin itches after sunburn, you need to figure out why it appears at all. Ultraviolet radiation contributes to the release of melanin. This is a natural pigment that gives the skin a dark shade. Tanning can be caramel, honey, milk or coffee color. Its shade is determined taking into account the type and natural tone of the skin.
Burns are dangerous because during their stay in the sun a person does not experience any painful or unpleasant sensations, and therefore does not rush to hide in the shade. The first signs of injury begin to appear in the evening. The skin turns red, itchy and blistered. All this lasts about three days, and then it begins to peel off.
Why does skin scratch after tanning?
Most often, the primary lesion occurs in the nose, back, shoulders and upper thigh. It is in these areas that the most severe itching is usually noted. One of the most common causes of irritation is considered improper preparation for tanning. As a rule, a person simply comes to the beach and spends too much time there. As a result, instead of a beautiful color, the covers of his body acquire a red tint, begin to peel and itch.
About the same consequences are caused by the untimely application of a tanning agent or the use of improperly selected cream. Before applying this or that cosmetics, carefully read the instructions. And then you do not have to think about why the skin itches after sunbathing.
Also, the cause of redness, peeling and itching can be a long stay under ultraviolet rays in one position. Therefore, during sunbathing, change your body position more often. Among other things, such effects are associated with individual skin sensitivity and a tendency to allergic reactions.
First aid
Now you already understand why, after a strong tan, the skin itches. What to do in such cases, should know any average person. To consider the first signs of a sunburn, you need to look at yourself through dark glasses on the beach. So you can see a barely noticeable redness and immediately take refuge in the shade.
It is advisable to apply a wet cold compress to a heavily burnt area. If your skin is very itchy after tanning, you can get rid of the growing itching using special preparations, such as “Rescuer”, “Panthenol”, “Bepanten” or “Sudocrem”. All are sold in pharmacies and are intended to treat burns. Each of these products has cooling, soothing, and regenerative properties. Therefore, the timely use of such drugs prevents the death of the upper layer of the epidermis.
Recovery
If, despite all the precautions taken, the skin itches after tanning, then you will have to make every effort to alleviate the discomfort. To do this, follow a few simple rules.
First of all, you should strictly observe the drinking regimen. Experts recommend consuming at least two liters of clean water daily. Thanks to this, the update processes are accelerated.
It is also advisable not to neglect such healthy drinks as yogurt, kefir, green or herbal teas. They contain valuable substances that enhance immunity, increase skin firmness and elasticity.
To make up for the deficiency of essential trace elements that help restore the body more quickly, you should definitely introduce brown bread, fresh berries, fruits, liver, nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, fish and seafood into your diet.
Folk methods
If the skin itches after sunbathing, then itching can be relieved with the help of proven means used by our grandmothers. A classic of alternative medicine is the treatment of damaged areas with ordinary sour cream. This technique has long been proven effective and recommended by many medical practitioners. Cool sour cream quickly soothes irritated skin, reduces pain and prevents further peeling.
No less effective will be the use of raw or boiled potatoes. A cold compress from grated root crops helps to eliminate itching and accelerate the regeneration of damaged areas.
For those who already understand why skin is itching after tanning, one more recommended tool can be recommended. To get rid of itching, large cabbage leaves, previously doused with boiling water and kept in the refrigerator, are applied to the injured areas. For greater convenience, it is attached to the body with a bandage and left for several hours.
Good calming and regenerating properties have fresh parsley juice. It contains a large number of valuable substances that contribute to the removal of puffiness and the elimination of redness. Gauze is moistened in the juice of this herb and applied to the burned areas. After such compresses, the skin will not peel and peel.
A good soothing effect has a decoction of chamomile. For its preparation, two tablespoons of dry raw material are poured into a glass of boiling water and boiled over minimal heat for fifteen minutes. The resulting product is cooled, applied to a cotton swab and rubbed on itchy skin.
Lotions of cold strong black or green tea are no less effective. The towel soaked in it is applied to the burned skin and kept for several minutes.
Most common mistakes
Having figured out why the skin itches after tanning and what to do in such cases, you need to say a few words about what is unacceptable in such situations. In order not to aggravate an already difficult condition, it is impossible to process damaged areas with ice cubes. This measure gives a temporary effect, but the resulting stress will cause peeling and other cosmetic defects.
It is strictly forbidden to clean damaged skin with alkaline soap and regular scrub. Such actions are fraught with severe inflammation and even an allergic reaction. It is not recommended to apply alcohol-containing products and pharmaceutical tinctures to charred areas, causing tightness, dehydration and itching.
If the skin itches after tanning, it cannot be lubricated with petroleum jelly and other fatty compounds that impede oxygen metabolism. It is strictly forbidden to pierce the blisters formed in the damaged areas, as this is fraught with infection and scarring.
Over the next three weeks, it is undesirable to drink alcohol, soda, coffee and strong tea. All of these drinks cause dehydration, which slows down regenerative processes.
Preventative measures
Any health problem is easier to prevent than to treat. Therefore, so that you do not have a question why the skin is very itchy after tanning, you need to follow a few simple recommendations. Before sunbathing, try not to neglect water procedures. So you not only cool your skin, but also wash away dirt and sweat from it. On hot summer days, do not go to the beach from 12 to 16 hours.
After sunbathing, do not forget to visit the shower and moisturize your skin. When tanning, be sure to use special creams with the right level of protection against ultraviolet rays. And if you notice a rash or peeling, consult a dermatologist.
Conclusion
Do not risk your health when trying to get a beautiful tan in one visit to the beach. To avoid problems, take sunbaths gradually and only after preliminary preparation. And then you do not have to frantically search for the answer to the question why after tanning the skin itches and what to do in this case.