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Rachael M
The Master
Posts: 2299

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# Posted: 18 Apr 2008 14:47


Quoting: nutmegs23
I'm a doctor and spent time working in my hospital's burn center.


Wow, well I'm talking to an expert here! Thanks for giving me your doctor advice without charging a co-pay!!!

Okay, so I put the wal-mart version of neosporin on the worst part last night and bandaged it. I actually discovered that most of the skin around that area is leather and I don't think it will be too bad to take it off. I slept in it and I'm still wearing it because it felt so much better when I woke up this morning that I didn't want to take it off. I plan to take it off for my light work out today (8 miles on the bike and 1 mile run) and leave it off until I go back to sleep. It needs oxygen, right?

Minu, yes I know, I am concerned about the wet suit too. I am so pissed for getting in this condition ONE WEEK before my tri. Ugh. I feel so dumb every time I think about not putting on sunscreen that day. *sigh*

Another question: Should I slather down with sunscreen or should I buy a dri fit shirt and just completely cover the area so that it won't get worse? I can put it on in T1 (transition between swimming and biking).


Dean Grimshawe
Fitness Guru
Posts: 1178

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# Posted: 18 Apr 2008 14:56


Quoting: rach_1623
Another question: Should I slather down with sunscreen or should I buy a dri fit shirt and just completely cover the area so that it won't get worse? I can put it on in T1 (transition between swimming and biking).


On the day I'd opt for the sunscreen then cover up straightaway on the finish line. That extra layer will be a huge discomfort and the extra heat will seriously affect your hydration levels and time.

Thats me though. I'd smash the phys then get out of the sun.


Megan G
Fitness Guru
Posts: 265

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# Posted: 18 Apr 2008 18:51


Quoting: rach_1623
Wow, well I'm talking to an expert here! Thanks for giving me your doctor advice without charging a co-pay!!!

Okay, so I put the wal-mart version of neosporin on the worst part last night and bandaged it. I actually discovered that most of the skin around that area is leather and I don't think it will be too bad to take it off. I slept in it and I'm still wearing it because it felt so much better when I woke up this morning that I didn't want to take it off. I plan to take it off for my light work out today (8 miles on the bike and 1 mile run) and leave it off until I go back to sleep. It needs oxygen, right?

Minu, yes I know, I am concerned about the wet suit too. I am so pissed for getting in this condition ONE WEEK before my tri. Ugh. I feel so dumb every time I think about not putting on sunscreen that day. *sigh*

Another question: Should I slather down with sunscreen or should I buy a dri fit shirt and just completely cover the area so that it won't get worse? I can put it on in T1 (transition between swimming and biking).

It doesn't need oxygen (at least, it doesn't need to be open to air)- if the skin is broken/open, it needs to stay moist with that neosporin continuously. Drying out is bad for the baby skin that's growing and will make scabbing which can cause scarring.

I think the more sunblocky sunblocks- ones that use zinc or titanium oxide- might be a good choice on your already burned skin, but I don't know how well they stay on in the water.


Angie H
Fitness Guru
Posts: 718

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# Posted: 19 Apr 2008 14:26


Quoting: nutmegs23
the new skin that grows back in there is REALLY going to need strong sunblock every time you go out this summer. every single time. sorry.



Really? I had no idea a second degree burn would cause scarring! I had so many instances as a child where I'd have one bad burn a year with the big blisters on my shoulders. Now I just have lots of freckles there but never noticed scarring. Maybe I was just lucky? My brother had a third degree burn that scarred (not sunburn though).

So a second degree burn generates completely new skin when healing like a third degree burn? Just trying to understand here. Thanks.


Minu ~
The Master
Posts: 2592

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# Posted: 19 Apr 2008 14:42


Rachael, how's the weather looking for tomorrow?

(I'd check myself, but I don't know your exact local, nor do I want to pry.)


Stephanie Rowe
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 186

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# Posted: 19 Apr 2008 15:25 - Edited by: stephy1818


Thinking of you Rachael -- saw the warm weather report for the B-ham area. Hope you do well in the tri! Rooting for you Cannot wait to hear how you did.


Megan G
Fitness Guru
Posts: 265

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# Posted: 19 Apr 2008 17:14


Quoting: fauxvirgo
Really? I had no idea a second degree burn would cause scarring! I had so many instances as a child where I'd have one bad burn a year with the big blisters on my shoulders. Now I just have lots of freckles there but never noticed scarring. Maybe I was just lucky? My brother had a third degree burn that scarred (not sunburn though).

So a second degree burn generates completely new skin when healing like a third degree burn? Just trying to understand here. Thanks.

older-people skin doesn't heal as well as younger-person skin. in burns they talk about "partial-thickness" (2nd degree) and "full thickness" (third degree) depending on how much of the dermis is damaged. even more confusing is partial thickness burns can convert to full thickness if they get infected or aren't well cared for. partial thickness burns can be superficial or deep, deep being more likely to scar but depending on the thickness of the skin (the location of burn) scarring is possible from all.


Cindy N
Fitness Guru
Posts: 733

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# Posted: 19 Apr 2008 18:31


Quoting: nutmegs23
partial thickness burns can convert to full thickness if they get infected or aren't well cared for


And those are the patients we see at my job, as well as the older people you talk about, because their wounds just won't heal. Even when wounds do heal though, the skin will always be more fragile than it was before.

On a different note, I know everyone knows the risks of skin cancer, but seeing as my dad had a second cancerous mole removed (we lived on Guam in the 70s and were burnt quite often), make sure to cover up!


Kathy O
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 200

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# Posted: 19 Apr 2008 21:49


OT but Cindy what do you work atÉ


Megan G
Fitness Guru
Posts: 265

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# Posted: 20 Apr 2008 00:21


Quoting: Cynthesis

On a different note, I know everyone knows the risks of skin cancer, but seeing as my dad had a second cancerous mole removed (we lived on Guam in the 70s and were burnt quite often), make sure to cover up!

after providing anesthesia for a 28 year old man with 2 kids whose melanoma came back so they had to take out all of his neck lymph nodes, cover up.


Kathy O
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 200

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# Posted: 20 Apr 2008 03:34


Rachael good luck in your tri - hope the sunburn doesn't hinder you too much (and that it heals quickly). Make sure to keep it covered during the race (whether it be by clothes or sunscreen).


Rachael M
The Master
Posts: 2299

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# Posted: 22 Apr 2008 22:36


Is it okay to scratch?? It itches a lot!!


Minu ~
The Master
Posts: 2592

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# Posted: 22 Apr 2008 22:40


That means it's healing. try to be as gentle as you can with the scratchies...


Angie H
Fitness Guru
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# Posted: 22 Apr 2008 22:41


If the skin under the dead stuff looks healthy - go for it!


Cindy N
Fitness Guru
Posts: 733

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# Posted: 23 Apr 2008 00:00


Scratching is not recommended, because you can damage your skin and open it up to infection again. That being said, I am a bad patient and often scratch my own itchy hide. I need to moisturize more, which is the best way to try to relieve the itchiness. Eucerin even has a lotion for itchy skin.


Minu ~
The Master
Posts: 2592

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# Posted: 23 Apr 2008 09:46 - Edited by: Minu


Cool showers can be soothing to the itchies too, and good for circulation.


Rachael M
The Master
Posts: 2299

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# Posted: 23 Apr 2008 14:05


Ugh cold shower? That sounds unpleasant. I have been moisturizing twice a day since the sunburn (well at first it was more aloe). But I am still itchy!!!


Minu ~
The Master
Posts: 2592

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# Posted: 23 Apr 2008 14:43


"Cool shower", not ice-berg-cold or anything.

I do 'em all the time in the hot summer months just to stay nice and cool. (A/C-free).


Dean Grimshawe
Fitness Guru
Posts: 1178

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# Posted: 23 Apr 2008 14:48


Our coaches always get us to have cold showers cos it is so good for your muscles after exercise. Takes a bit of getting used to but it ain't that bad really.

Sometimes I cheat and switch from hot to cold intermittently. Apparently very good for exciting the lymph glands and flushing the old system.


Minu ~
The Master
Posts: 2592

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# Posted: 23 Apr 2008 14:58


Good on ya, Dean!

I do mine just for a couple minutes at a time--great exercise for the ole pores too.


Angie H
Fitness Guru
Posts: 718

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# Posted: 23 Apr 2008 17:13


How about this? If you're afraid to scratch it (as long as you're not ripping into your hide from the scratching intensity, what harm can it do anyway? But I'm not a doc!), RUB the itchy part instead. Instead of scratching, "pet" the itchy spot. Sometimes I'll get an itchy spot for no apparent reason that really intesifies if I scratch it. If I rub it lightly but firmly instead, the itching sensation goes away. Though, I must admit, it's not as gratifying as scratching.


Minu ~
The Master
Posts: 2592

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# Posted: 23 Apr 2008 17:18


I just love the scratchies. One of my lil pleasures from hub...

Now I want some.


Joe Weierke
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 111

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# Posted: 23 Apr 2008 17:20


Anyone else getting itchy just by reading this thread? Just the thought of it is making me itch.


Rachael M
The Master
Posts: 2299

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# Posted: 23 Apr 2008 19:10


Haha. Well, I am already itchy so I've been scratching, but not too hard and not too much if I can help it. Skin is peeling off me like a snake!!


Karen Thomas
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 192

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# Posted: 2 May 2008 18:06


Three's a product by Banana Boat called "After Sun", it's a lovely Aloe enriched lotion, But it feels so good on the skin and it helps with the peeling. Trust me....being a redhead who grew up on the Jersey Shore, I've actually resorted to sleeping in a cool bathtub, for 3 days with one of the burns I had. But it does really help with the peeling


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