Summer is supposed to be the season for fun under the sun, but unfortunately, it’s also the season of sunburns — or worse, hell’s itch.
If you thought sunburns were bad, wait until you get hell’s itch, a condition that can affect 5 in 10 people who get sunburnt. It’s the kind of sensation that will make you feel like your skin is on fire and regret that you weren’t generous enough with your sunscreen.
In case you suffer from hell’s itch this summer, we’ve put together a go-to guide on how to treat hell’s itch fast and how to protect your skin from the sun to stop it in the first place.
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What Is Hell’s Itch?
Sunburns generally go away in 3 to 5 days, but they can become the cause of discomfort when they turn into what’s been dubbed as ’hell’s itch’ or ’fire ant itch’. It describes the extreme pain that people experience as they recover from a sunburn.
Hell’s itch is an itch that can’t be scratched. Each time you scratch your itch, you’ll feel a stabbing pain in one spot — in fact, people have compared it to fire ants chewing your skin. It’s known to be so unbearable that it can keep people up or stop them from performing their day-to-day tasks.
What Causes Hell’s Itch?
Hell’s itch is not a common condition, but anybody who is sunburnt is at risk of experiencing it within 24 to 72 hours of sun exposure. It starts on the sunburnt spots, particularly areas that weren’t protected with sunscreen or SPF day cream. Unfortunately, the painful itch can persist for up to 48 hours.
No one knows what causes hell’s itch and why only 5 to 10 percent of people are affected by it, but it is believed to be caused by an overreaction of the nerves.
How to Treat Hell’s Itch at Home
Wondering what to do with hell’s itch? The good news is that you can get rid of hell’s itch fast from the comfort of your own home. Here’s how you can cure hell’s itch with at-home remedies:
1. Use a Cold Compress
Get a couple of ice cubes, put them in a bag wrapped in cloth, and then press the cloth against the sunburnt spot. Don’t apply any ice directly onto your skin, as this can cause more inflammation.
2. Apply Aloe Vera or Other Soothing Agents
As an alternative, apply a cortisone-based cream onto the burned area for additional relief. Additionally, you can bathe in colloidal oatmeal, as people who’ve suffered from hell’s itch have said it helped them.
3. Stay Hydrated
Apart from drinking water, you can apply a day moisturizer to prevent your skin from drying out.
4. Take Medication
You can also take an oral antihistamine like Benadryl if you’re struggling to go to sleep at night because of your sunburn itch.
When To See A Doctor
Hell’s itch can be unbearable, but it should go away within a few days. However, if the sunburn pain persists and if you’re starting to feel feverish, that could be a sign of sun poisoning. In that case, you need to seek medical care immediately.
If your sunburn is starting to blister or produce pus, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. These are common signs of an infection.
How To Prevent Hell’s Itch
Although you can’t predict whether or not your sunburn will turn into hell’s itch, you can take proper precautions. Remember, hell’s itch is what follows a sunburn, so the best way to prevent it is to not get sunburnt. And here’s how to do that.
1. Apply Sunscreen to Exposed Skin
Spending the day under the sun? Don’t forget to apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to effectively block UVA and UVB rays. Be sure to rub the sunscreen on every exposed part of your body. As a rule of thumb, rub about one ounce of sunscreen on your entire body.
2. Reapply Sunscreen
People tend to forget that the sunscreen gets washed off every time they go swimming, or even when they sweat. That’s why it’s important to reapply it every two hours. And if possible, be on the lookout for a sunscreen that’s water-resistant, not water-proof. The former should be able to stick to your body even when it gets submerged in water.
3. Cover Up
Conclusion
Hell’s itch can be the worst itch you’ve ever experienced, but by practicing the precautions above, you can save yourself from excruciating pain. Remember that you can only get hell’s itch if you’re sunburnt, so be sure to protect your skin using the right skincare products.
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Whatever your skin-related concerns are, whether it’s acne or sunburn, our skincare specialists are here to help you find the perfect product for your skin type. Take our Skin Quiz today and let us help you formulate custom skincare that gives you everything that you need and nothing that you don’t.
