When talking about the treatment of sunburns, it is important to make the distinction between a normal everyday sunburn and one that has potential for or is already blistering because of its severity.
The question then arises whether or not it is medically beneficial to treat a sunburn with common medications. This may depend on, like mentioned above, the severity of the sunburn and which medications the patient is planning on using to treat the burn at home. A sunburn should be treated like any other burn and should be looked after until healed completely.
Aspirin
Aspirin can be used to help control the pain. Aspirin is also considered to be an anti-inflammatory drug, and therefore may be used to reduce the inflammation and redness that occurs.
Ibuprofen
You can also use Ibuprofen and expect about the same results as when you use Aspirin, but in the long run, it may cause more damage to the kidneys and liver.
Naproxen
In addition to these two drugs, some people also choose to treat their sunburn with Naproxen. The side effect of using this drug is that it can worsen the effects of the sun if you go out in the sun again. So, if you are still in the middle of your vacation or are in the sun on a daily basis, this may not be the best option for you.
Severe sunburn should always be treated by a physician. If you have blisters or feel that your sunburn is worse than usual, see a doctor as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the skin and your body.
