OMG Hels Itch bad sunburn

[Hertzian56]

So I stupidly thought ok if I just go get in the lake for a few minutes to cool off then get out and stay out of the sun I won't get burned. Well two things, this lake is at higher elevation like 6k feet or so and also it's august in the desert the sun is like a burning hawk intense. So I got burned pretty bad on my chest and upper back.

Skip a day or two, it just hurt like any other bad sunburn does. THEN about 2 days later I took a shower and put some Aloe Vera lotion on and OMG!! the itching was insanely uncomfortable I couldn't take it it was soooo bad!! DO NOT PUT ON LOTIONS if you get a bad burn, NOT EVEN "itch creme" you can get otc. DONT DO IT! Almost the minute I put that on it activated this Hels itch.

So I grabbed anything out of the freezer and rubbed it all over and that does help as it deadens the nerves and the nerve damaged skin but it doesn't last. So then I googled it and I came across this angel from heaven subreddit called hellsitch and the suggestions there really helped of the ones I had on hand.
1. HOT shower
2. Benadryl
3. Ibuprofen
4. Repeat as necessary.

https://www.reddit.com/r/HellsItch/

Also Peppermint Oil is a big one there, I just don't have that on hand.
Someone also said a numbing spray from a local pharmacy.

So far after the first 3 it's subsided but who knows if it will come back or not, I pray not. I do get the odd itch in places and find that rubbing my chest lightly also helps.

I've read that this is nerve damage to the upper layers of skin from either someone very sensitive or just a really bad sunburn which is what I have. So hope this helps and spread the word around about it.

 

[Hertzian56]

I just took some copies of what was posted that helps from that forum, here to see easier.

Run to the hospital an ask for an injection of Celestone (betamethasone) or any cream that has betamethasone. It will stop it completely in 10 minutes. Good luck!!


Go to ER. Ask for injection. Promethazine Common brands: Phenadoz, Phenergan, Promethegan

Peppermint oil.



If they don’t know what to give you, ask for corticosteroids. Some doctors have no clue about this. I found one that did.


Ketorolac

Hydroxyzine

Gabapentin

Steroids

bio freeze

a numbing spray from the local pharmacy

 

[Hertzian56]

Getting back to this so far doing fine no more hellsitch. I noticed that it really flared up after a normal shower and putting on aloe vera/lotion. The reddit says don't shower for few days if you get a bad sunburn and get hellsitch, just clean the dirty smelly places w a wet towel. I had it for about 2-4hrs only; once I got benadryl, ibuprofen, very hot shower.

I would likely make sure I have peppermint oil in my pantry from now on though since that seems to be the other major component if it gets severe. And of course make sure to put on sunblock or at least suntan lotion before heading into the sun without a shirt.

As everyone knows you get a bad sunburn then the next 48hrs it turns even more red and hurts then it fades a bit and the skin starts to peel off. Mine has started to fade and will soon start to peel off.