Hell's Itch - Death by Sunburn

Oh! the joys of summer! Freedom from structured institutions (schools), staying up late, sleeping in, playing, playing, and more playing! And is there anything better than a pool, lake, or beach? I think not! Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that American's Favorite Pastime is SUMMER!

There are very few things worth even murmuring a complaint at during this glorious time of the year! That is, if you have not suffered the sunburn of the century ---quickly discovering that things have gone very-very wrong.

A few days ago, I laid poolside with my bestie chatting it up while our kiddos splish-splashed in the beautiful, aqua-blue waters of her community pool. Let me begin by saying, I am a rigid dictator when it comes to the application of sunscreen, which my children received a full rub down prior to swimming. Me? Well, I got to talking......and yes, I failed to apply the sunscreen to myself. Please save your 'sunscreen' lectures, as this is an anomaly in my life. My excuse? I was in a rear end accident two full months ago where I received a brain scrambling concussion! Good excuse, I know! And it you have ever suffered a concussion, you KNOW!! YOU KNOW!!! it is horrible!

So the burn! Holy Lord in Heaven, I was burned! Both arms, down to the wrists! Both legs, down to my feet! Oh! my poor, poor chest and shoulders! So, so very bad! Now, if that wasn't bad enough, after 12 hours of immense burning pain, the itch started! Hell's Itch!!

Now this isn't, Oh! My! I'm peeling, itch! This is all the way down to the bone, cannot reach, itch. An itch that brings its friend insanity to help further torment you. An itch that lies under the skin and burns like the fires of hell just as much as it itches. Mind over matter, doesn't work! Why? Because it literally causes you to lose your MIND! Every rational thought is gone, swept under the hell of the itch. You cry, you laugh (like a crazy horror movie laugh), you yell, you punch stuff!! Punch the crap out of stuff! You contemplate knocking yourself out, and may have tried (if we are being honest) atleast 4 times. In fact, you almost have your spouse convinced to help you!

In the wake of the this shocking madness, I have gleaned many things. Things, so precious, so important, I had to share. If you have found yourself on this blog, twitching and itching like Jeff Goldblum right before he turns into the fly, be rest assured, relief is minutes away.

*****Go to the store (or have your spouse do this) and buy the following products:*****

Solarcaine **cool aloe**

Benadryl (liquid, pills, or tabs)

Your fav 'After-the-Sun' lotion

Calamine Spray

Note: I did not want lotion because I, in no way, wanted to be tempted to touch/scratch my skin!

Once you have your arsenal of sunburn products the following should be done:

1.) Take a Benadryl immediately!

• If you get Hell's Itch, this is an indication that your body is having an allergic reaction to the burn!
• Take every 4-6 hours!

2.) Take a hot shower! It will feel like you are boiling your self alive, but it works, I promise. Just make sure you test the heat on a part of your body that isn't burned to gauge the heat, it needs to be hot but should be bearable/comfortable to your unburned skin. 

• Do not take a long shower! Water dries the skin out! 10 mins top!
• If this is your first shower, post burn, use a mild soap (Dove) to clean your skin. Don't scrub!
• Do not shave!!! If you have to, shave knee down (not the knee!). Use a really good razor, not disposable!

3.) Pat dry!

• Do not rub skin to dry!
• Use the softest towel you own.
• Skin should be a tad damp.

4.) Liberally spray your burn with the Calamine Spray!

• Reapply as needed

5.) MOST IMPORTANT!! Do not, under any circumstance, scratch!

During the first few days, you DO NOT want to put any lotion on your burn --it will make the itch worse! Not even raw aloe straight from the plant will help. In fact, it will act as an itch accelerator! Please no lotion!

After the intensity of Hell's itch begins to die (believe me, you'll know), the following should be done:

1.) Continue with the above steps 2 , 3, & 5!!

• Try to shower only one time per day!
• Never scrub skin with soap or anything for that matter.
• Lightly clean with gentle soap.

2.) Spray burn liberally with the Solarcaine.

• No lotion!! (you can use on unburned parts)
• Let this completely dry before dressing.
• Reapply as needed

3.) Keep taking Benadryl as needed. 

• 24 hour allergy pills will help but is no match to the Benadryl.
• You will know if you need it or not!

When you feel like the itch is a faint noise in the background of your mind, you can start to apply after-the-sun lotion to your burn, along with the Solarcaine. I sprayed the parts of my burn that were the worse, let it soak in for a few mins, then applied lotion. 

Once you start to peel, refrain from peeling it! You can damage your skin even further, and invite both the burn and the itch back, when you do (and infection)! Never exfoliate while in the shower!! Let your body do this naturally! Your goal is to feel better and get your skin healthy again.

What to wear?

1.) Expose skin to the air as much as possible!

• Yep, this means no covering on burned parts!

2.) Wear clothes that closely match your burn pattern.

• This can be very helpful with #1.

3.) If you are a girl, loosen your bra straps!

4.) Wear free flowing, light fabrics, baggy clothes. 

Hope this helps, and you recover quickly!!!