What is sunburn exactly? Sunburn is the saying for red, sometimes swollen, blistered, and painful skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun exposure. Sunburn can differ from minor to severe. If you have ever known anyone with a light complexion you might know how severe sunburns can get.
- Lay a cool compress on the area that is sunburn. This will provide instant relief.
- Take a bath with cool water. Here are some natural remedies to the soothe the sunburn.
- Take a cool shower or bath to cool your sunburned skin. Check out these natural bath therapies to soothe sunburn pain and other symptoms.
- Add one cup of apple cider vinegar to a bath to help balance the pH (acid or alkalinity) of sunburned skin, and promote healing.
- Soak in an oatmeal bath. This is especially helpful for itchy sunburned skin.
- Adding a little bit of lavender or chamomile oil to a bath will help relieve some of the pain.
- If you add around 2 cups of baking soda to a bath, it can help relieve some of the irritation and redness.
- Don’t use any soap that contains fragrances, they may irritate the sunburn even more.
- Using lotions that contain Aloe Vera will help relax and moisturize dry skin.
- Hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate. Drink sports drinks, and water to replace all the lost body fluids. This will also help you recover quickly.
- Topical steroids like 1% hydrocortisone can help with pain, itching, and swelling.
- If you are in pain, take a pain reliever like Advil, Tylenol, and Motrin.
- Over the counter medicine like Aleve will help with inflammation. (active ingredient: Naproxen)
- Got milk? Use milk or yogurt. This works because they both contain a fat protein and pH the provides a soothing anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.
- By using vitamin E oil on the affected sunburn, you can help decrease inflammation. As well as oil, taking a regular dose of vitamin E can help with recovery.
- Apply freshly brewed tea after it has cooled to the sunburnt skin using a clean cloth or submerging it in a bath. The tannic acid in black tea reportedly helps draw heat from the sunburned skin, and aids in restoring the pH balance. Add mint to the tea for a more cooling effect.
- Applying tea bags that have been soaked in cold water to eyelids that are sunburned will soothe sunburns and decrease inflammation.
- Cucumbers have natural inhibitor and analgesic properties. Chill some cucumbers, then form a paste by putting them into a blender, afterward, apply to affected sunburnt areas.