"THE HEART OF THE MATTER"
a special program of the National Emergency Medicine Association (NEMA)

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Week: 583.5 

Guest: Amanda Niscar, nurse epidemiologist, Centers for Disease Control 

Topic: Sunburn prevention, treatment 

Host/Producer: Steve Girard 

NEMA: Sunburn prevention and care...coming up...  

SPOT: A GREAT LITTLE BOOK TO HELP YOU GROW YOUR KIDS...THE LITTLE BOOK OF PARENTING, FROM THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY MEDICINE ASSOCIATION....CALL 800-332-6362 TO GET ONE.  

NEMA: we've all done it....forgot to put on sunblock or sunscreen and ended up with a bad sunburn  

NISCAR: Well, to prevent the sunburn, first of all...you should wear at least a sun protection factor 15, and you should apply that 30 minutes before you go out in the sun, and then follow the directions for reapplication if you're out all day long. You should consult a doctor for the sunburn if you have a fever, or blisters forming, or severe pain. And any infant, under one year of age, gets sunburned....they should also see a physician. When treating the sunburn, you should remember to apply cold compresses, or take a cool water bath. And don't use any ointments or butter...you want to apply a moisturizing lotion to the affected area to keep it more moist...because it's dry. And if you have blisters, don't break them. And of course, avoid repeated sun exposure if you have sunburn.  

NEMA: it's advice we've all heard before....but we all need reminders. Have fun in the sun...but remember to prevent sun damage. I'm Steve Girard at The Heart of the Matter.