Home Remedies for Sunburn
Summer’s here, and that means it’s
time to head outside and soak up the sun. But along with the all those hours
spent outdoors during
the summer season, there usually comes one inevitable thing: sunburn. Fortunately for all of us, there are plenty of household items you can use to cool the burning, itching, and peeling that come with damage from the sun.
Keep reading to learn about home remedies that can help heal and
soothe your skin.
the summer season, there usually comes one inevitable thing: sunburn. Fortunately for all of us, there are plenty of household items you can use to cool the burning, itching, and peeling that come with damage from the sun.
Keep reading to learn about home remedies that can help heal and
soothe your skin.
Cool Water
Sunburn, basically,
is inflammation of the skin. One of the easiest ways to treat inflammation is
to cool down the affected area. An effective way to immediately help sunburn,
even while you’re still outside, is to hop in the water,
whether it’s an ocean, lake, or stream. Dipping in
and out throughout the day can help keep sunburn from worsening. Be wary of
pools, as chlorinated water can irritate the skin more. You should also avoid
directly applying ice. Although it may look appealing when your skin is
burning, it could actually cause even more damage to your extra-sensitive
sunburned skin.
You can also try hopping
in the bath to help cool and soothe your skinBaking Soda & Oatmeal
Throwing a few
heaping tablespoons of baking soda into a bathtub full of cool water and soaking
for about 15 to 20 minutes helps minimize sun damage. Adding a cup of oats to
the bath also soothes irritation and helps the skin retain its natural
moisture.
Don’t scrub your skin, either in the bath or after getting out. Dab
yourself dry with a towel — don’t rub.
Aloe Vera
If you don’t have an aloe vera plant in your house, you should get one. The gel
inside this succulent plant has been used for centuries for all sorts of
ailments, from pset stomachs to kidney infections. It’s also the sunburn relief most commonly found over the counter.
Breaking off a
chunk of the plant and applying the gel directly to the skin provides
immediate, soothing relief from the sting of minor sunburn. If you can’t get your hands on a plant, try a 100
percent aloe vera gel (not an aloe-based lotion or ointment). You can find
these gels in most pharmaciesChamomile Tea
Chamomile tea can
be soothing to your spirit, but it can also soothe your sunburned skin. Brew
the tea as you normally would and let it cool. When it’s ready, soak a washcloth in it and apply it to the affected area.
If you are allergic
to pollen, you shouldn’t
use this treatment. It may cause an allergic reaction in your skin.
Vinegar
Opinions are mixed
about using vinegar for sunburn relief. Some say adding two cups of
vinegar to
cool bath water can help take the sting out of burn, while others say
the high
acidity in vinegar only makes things worse. If you haven’t used the
treatment before on smaller, lighter sunburns, it’s best not to try it
for larger, more serious burns.
Wear Loose Clothing
Don’t Forget the Moisturizer
Get More Information
Stay hydrated, keep
cool, and if the sunburn is too painful, you can take some ibuprofen. You
should also make sure you stay covered up next time you go outside so your
sunburn isn’t exposed to even
more sun. Call a doctor if a sunburn causes you to have a fever or if you are
showing signs of dehydration.
And remember, the easiest way to treat sunburn
is to avoid it.
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