Deep itching pinching sensation all over the sunburn on my back

[otherwise_healthy]

I spent several days in Bermuda and got a decent sunburn over my entire back. It wasn't really bad, and I've had worse, only not in the last 10 years. So the skin on my back was protected by a t-shirt for the last 10 years and probably didn't get much sun. The burn started to feel better by the third day after I got home. The problem started while I was taking a nap. It felt like what was a very pinpoint pinching itch in one spot. Then I started to feel it all over. I quick took a shower and it was getting worse. I turned the water to cold, but it was still getting worse. After about 10 minutes the pinching pains were extremely intense. I tried lying in a shallow bath of cold water, and although my back was numb the pains did not stop. Some rolling around and pressure on my back would make the pain go away momentarily as if it were an itch, but I could not get it to go away. I tried advil, benadryl, hydrocortisone, dermaplast, sarna, and so on. The pain did not seem to be directly on the surface, but just below it. It wasn't extremely painful like breaking a bone or spraining an ankle, it was just extremely intense and annoying. "Make it stop" sort of thing. I eventually filled up my Jacuzzi and turned on the jets full blast. After about 5-10 minutes, I had successfully attacked all the little "itching" pinching sensations and have basically spent the last 24 hours in the tub. After I got out, I had relief with a few "pinches" here and there for the evening and following morning, but after a bit of movement and activity it started to come back. Still after time out of the tub the feeling starts to come back. Since today is Saturday I'll wait until Monday when then sunburn is probably gone for the most part to go see my doctor. But that will depend on what insight someone can provide for me. Thanks in advance.

[kath776]

My father, my brothers and I have all experienced exactly what you are describing.  Until someone experiences this it is really hard to understand the intensity and the lack of treatment available.  I searched this out on the internet to offer help to those experiencing it as well.  

After literally spending days in cold showers and anguishing hours....we found a solution. PEPPERMINT OIL.  NOT Peppermint extract, PURE PEPPERMINT OIL.  You can find it at health food and natural food stores.  Some knowing pharmacists will carry it.   Apply directly to the burn.  Your hands or the hands of whoever applies it will feel quite cool for hours or days after because of the effect of the oil, but it is not painful at all (just don't touch your eyes, mouth or nose.   It smells like a candy cane factory for a few days....which after finally getting relief from this awful experience, will become the best smell in the world.  

It seems to work by opening the pores and releasing the heat held deep in the nerves.  

Peppermint oil is pretty strong to apply directly to the skin but it generally only requires one thorough application all over the affected area.  This DOES work.  This is the only thing that really works for this.  It is really quite amazing how well it works too considering how nothing else touches it.

What DOES NOT WORK.... ANY Kind of lotion or gel or cream makes it worse.  

This holds the heat, which is already being held in, and is continuing it's burn at the nerve level.  Avoid any chlorinated or treated water (especially hot tubs... though the pressure of the jets can divert temporarily just like cold shower spray, it is only temporary and can make it worse).

Just so you know, like you, we always experience this at least one to two days AFTER the initial sun burn.  We are not sure why we experience this and so many others do not but we highly recommend that you never repeat this kind of sun exposure.  It will reoccur.  Keep a fresh bottle of peppermint oil on hand just in case and if you ever meet anyone else who has gone through this pass on the word.