Ibuprofen to the Rescue
With summer in full swing, ibuprofen should be your go-to remedy for a sunburn. However, most patients I see are not aware of just how beneficial ibuprofen is for a burn, and will use aloe or Solarcaine instead. These products will provide some pain relief, but they don't actually do anything to promote healing. the healing cause pain. On the other hand, ibuprofen will reduce both the swelling and redness from the burn. For optimal relief, I tell patients to combine a standard dose ibuprofen with a topical analgesic of their choice.
Long-term use of ibuprofen is generally not recommended. It can tear away at the lining of your stomach potentially causing pain, acid reflux, ulcer formation, and dark stools (indication of internal bleeding). Therefore, be sure to talk with your physician or pharmacist about how long you should take ibuprofen.
Jen Wolfe, PharmD, is a Certified Geriatric Pharmacist. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. She provides her clients with Comprehensive Medication Reviews in order to identify and eliminate medication-related problems.
Dr. Wolfe has experienced first hand how challenging caregiving can be, even for a healthcare professional. She gives caregivers the knowledge and know-how to deal with daily healthcare challenges, and the ability to prepare and prevail through any emergency situation. Through video conferencing, Dr. Wolfe is able to work with caregivers across the country.