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After being cooped up all winter OR because you've been in quarantine, your skin is back to its original color and you are probably ready to get outside to soak up some of those fabulous rays of sunshine. There is just something about a little sun kissed color on your face that can make you feel like a million bucks. BUT WAIT!! Did you remember your sunblock? You might be a little impatient to see that beautiful bronze color on your skin but the last thing you want is to pass beautiful bronze and land at painful, lobster red sunburn. If you have ever had the likes of sunburn or seen it on someone else, we probably don't have to tell you the importance of wearing protectant. Not only does it hurt like H-E-double hockey sticks, but it is dangerous and because it can affect your immune system, can cause you to become very sick. Some of the most severe symptoms are; fever, swollen glands, nausea, vomiting, blisters and headaches. If you are experiencing any of these signs, bypass the treatments we are suggesting and see a doctor because these could be signs of infection. For mild to moderate sunburns some of the following remedies have proven to be soothing and helpful. We included various treatments and you can choose depending on what you have available.
First, before you begin trying any of these treatments, it’s a good idea to take a cool shower. A hot shower will not only hurt but it will dry out your skin even more. Cleanse with mild soap and the cool water will pull some of the burn out of your skin. Take some over the counter pain relief and hydrate as much as possible. Drinking a lot of water will help your skin hydrate from the inside out. If you are on vacation, chances are that the hotel only has a shower, but if you are in the comforts of your home you can take a bath with the following ingredients and that will greatly reduce the sting.
Treatment Options
What you can add to a bath: - 2-3 cups of vinegar, white or apple cider, either way you might smell like a pickle but from experience has proven to be the most soothing. - Add several tea bags to a cool bath but don’t drink the water. - 2 cups of oatmeal and soak for at least 30 minutes. - 1-2 cups of baking soda. - ½ cup of corn starch + ½ cup of baking soda. - 2 cups of tomato juice, it’s not only good for skunk attacks! - 2 cups oatmeal, ¼ cup of honey and 2 cups of milk - Cool water + gallon of milk
In a spray bottle here are some recipes you can make or you can soak a towel to apply directly: - Vinegar, white or apple cider - Tea bags - Cool water + ¼ cup of baking soda - 10-12 drops of essential oils such as lavender or chamomile. - Corn starch to cool water - Witch Hazel, works well for swelling or swollen areas. - Pickle juice (same as vinegar) - ¼ cup of lemon or lime juice to cool water in a spray bottle. - Mix honey with lime or lemon juice to a 80/20 - Mix milk and honey at a 50/50
- Pureed strawberries applied directly to the affected area. - Sliced or mashed tomatoes, I use the technique when I burn myself in the
kitchen and it prevents scarring! - Sliced or mashed cucumber - Potatoes mashed, the juice is the most important. - Raw egg whites applied directly, cover with gauze or cool towels. - Boil a ¼ head of lettuce, cabbage, or strawberry leaves, strain then add to
spritzer bottle once it has cooled. - Fresh Aloe Vera gel from the plant.
- Vitamin E cream, oil or capsules - Diaper rash ointment if you are experiencing a rash with your sunburn. - Cocoa Butter to hydrate once your skin looks like it might begin to peel. - Aloe Vera lotion or after sun cream - Shaving cream, not sure of this one but has been suggested.
- Cover burnt areas with cold, wet towels or frozen bags of veggies. This will
help to pull the burn out of the skin. - Take aspirin or ibuprofen. - For swollen skin apply cortisone cream. - Stay out of the sun until the burned areas have completely healed. - Apply creams/lotions to prevent peeling. - Avoid touching the skin and never pop a blister!! This will open the skin to infections. - Wear loose clothing. - See a doctor if you experience severe symptoms.