Remedy for Sunburn

Sun burned skin is painful–when people are exposed to the sun for extended periods of time without sunscreen or moisturisers with high SPF content, it is extremely likely that they will become sun burned. Sun screen protects the skin from the harmful UV rays emitted from the sun; when we neglect to use proper protection on our skin against these dangerous emissions we damage our skin to harmful extremities. However, ifsun screen is forgotten on a day out in the sun, and a burn develops, the following natural, home remedies will help promote a reduction in the severity of the symptoms associated with sun burns.

Remedies for Sunburn

1. Cold water: use cold water straight from the faucet or add a few ice cubes to it. Soak a cloth with the cold water and lay it over the burn. Repeat every few minutes as the cloth becomes warm. Apply several times daily, for up to 15 minutes each time.
2. Aspirin: take a 650 mg dose of aspirin if you’ve been in the sun for a prolonged period. Anticipate the burn and the pain that will result, and treat it to prevent the redness and pain to result. Repeat every 4 hours for up to six doses.
3. Skim milk: milk protein is very soothing. Mix 1 cup skim milk with 4 cups water and add a few ice cubes to make a cool and refreshing liquid for the skin. Soak compress in the mixture and apply the compress to the burn for up to 20 minutes. Repeat the process every 2 to 4 hours.
4. Oatmeal: wrap dry oatmeal in gaze material or cheesecloth. Run cool water through it and then discard the oatmeal. Soak the compress in the liquid and apply every 2-4 hours for up to 20 minutes.
5. Witch hazel: moisten a cloth with witch hazel and apply to the affected areas for temporary relief. For smaller areas, use a cotton ball to dip into the witch hazel and gently stroke the mixture onto skin.
6. For larger areas, like the whole body, an alternative to compresses, as listed above is a cool bath. Add enough liquid as usually needed for a bath keeping the water at room temperature. Put any of the following ingredients into the water, and soak yourself in it. When you finish, pat your skin dry with a clean towel–this should reduce pain, itching and inflammation.
7. Vinegar: mix 1 cup of vinegar into a tub of cool water.
8. Aveeno powder: use pre measured packets or add ½ cup of Aveeno Bath Treatment, which is made from oatmeal, to a tub of cool water. Soak for up to 20 minutes.
9. Minimise the use of bath soaps with fragrance as they can dry out skin and irritate burned skin. If you must use soap, use one that is mild and rinse it off well with cool water. Never soak in soap water, and stay away from bubble baths.