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Between the constant feeling of needing to pee and throw up, sometimes both at the same time, along with the other aches and pains of pregnancy, how about throwing a little bit of sunburn into the mix? Sounds like a barrel of monkeys!
Having sunburns while pregnant would make for an even more miserable pregnant woman, and when a pregnant woman in the family is not happy, there isn’t anyone happy in that home. So your best bet is to take some preventative measures to protect yourself from the sun while pregnant and avoid any sunburnt misery.
There are those occasions, though, where it’s as if we are just targeted by the sun for a bit of a kiss, where you will later find yourself red and hurting! A lot of times, it’s that surprise sunburn on your upper back that you don’t feel until the moment you step into a hot shower, then it’s like someone touched two wrong wires together! Being pregnant, it’s not like you can see every spot on your body anymore, so it’s easy to miss those sunburns while pregnant.
Tanning During Pregnancy
Sun tanning while pregnant is okay to do as long as you wear adequate sunscreen and keep yourself well hydrated. Dehydration poses many serious risks during pregnancy, including starting labor prematurely, so I cannot stress enough that you keep water by your side. Also, if you feel like you’re starting to get overheated, you should seek a place to cool off. Otherwise, tanning is harmless to your unborn baby.
One of the risks you are up against, not just when you are pregnant, is getting a sunburn, but sunburns while pregnant will be so much more uncomfortable, as if it’s not hard enough to get comfortable already!
Treating a Sunburn During Pregnancy
If you get a sunburn during pregnancy, you should know how to properly take care of it in order to try to restore your comfort. It’s not really advisable to take oral pain relievers, but low doses of Tylenol are generally okay, if you really need the pain relief.
One of the things you should be aware of is avoiding an infection. If you have blisters, do not pop them and keep them as clean as possible. It’s also advisable to avoid any creams containing benzocaine or lidocaine unless it’s specifically prescribed by your doctor.
Your best bets for relief are natural remedies which include:
- Cool baths: What pregnant doesn’t love a good soak, anyway? Add some baking soda for added relief.
- Cool compresses: Between the already-existing hot flashes and now the sunburn, a cold compress should feel like a little bit of heaven!
- Aloe vera: Aloe vera is a soothing, all natural substance straight from the aloe plant. If you’re lucky, you have a fresh one somewhere in your garden waiting for you to use it.
- Avoiding the sun: Try to stay out of the sun until your sunburn heals up. Have you ever felt a sunburnt sunburn? Me either but it doesn’t sound fun!
- Stay hydrated: As you already should be since you are pregnant, be sure to be drinking plenty of fluids.
- Moisturize: You’re likely already doing this in an effort to avoid stretch marks, but you really should be using a good moisturizer if you have a sunburn.
When looking for products on the shelf at a grocery store, as always, read the ingredients label to make sure all of the ingredients contained within are safe for you and your unborn baby. If you are ever unsure, do not use the product, and get clearance from your midwife or OB GYN. If they do not feel that the product is safe, they will likely have other suggestions for you that are completely safe to use.
As always, have as much fun as you can within your pregnancy limits; get that summer tan, but don’t let the sun get you! Wear sunscreen, drink plenty of water, and prevent that sunburn from happening in the first place!
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical professional. If you have any questions or health concerns while pregnant, it’s best to seek the advice of your OB GYN or midwife
