“Sunburn is a form of radiation burn that affects living tissue, such as skin, that results from an overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, commonly from the sun. Common symptoms in humans and other animals include red or reddish skin that is hot to touch, pain, general fatigue, and mild dizziness.”
Whenever you spot a sunburn, immediately consult a pediatrician or a skin specialist. Otherwise, if you want to try natural remedies here are ten of them.
1) Aloe Vera gel:
This cactus plant is usually very common and can be spotted in your own home. Pluck one leaf, cut the upper thorny layer and extracting a little bit of the gel rub it on the sunburned skin. If you don’t have an aloe Vera plant at home then buy natural aloe Vera gel from the nearest pharmacy. It eases discomfort, speeds healing and moisturizes the skin. You can reapply the gel throughout the day and also put it in the refrigerator for extra cooling effect.
2) Ice:
Taking a soft towel, wrap an ice pack in it and set it at the sunburn for a while. Don’t apply the ice directly, it can cause a frostbite and just make the sunburn worse. The ice takes away the heat and pain.
3) Honey:
This “sweet, viscous food substance” has been used as a natural remedy since Egyptian times. Take a little bit of honey and apply it to the sunburned skin. Let it for twenty minutes at least before washing it off. It speeds up healing, reduces infection and minimizes pain.
4) Oatmeal:
It works as an anti-inflammatory when mixes with the bath water. You can blend the oatmeal you use at home and tying it in a sock put in the bath water or else purchase colloidal oatmeal from the nearest drugstore. Soak your body in that bath for at least twenty minutes. It relieves the itchiness and speeds up healing time. You can also apply an oatmeal paste instead, keep it for the same amount of time before rinsing it off.
5) Milk:
Soak a cotton cloth or a towel in cool milk and settle it on the reddened area to ease discomfort and reduce the pain. You can also apply a tea-soaked cloth instead for half an hour. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties which heals the sunburned skin.
6) Apple Cider vinegar:
Some studies show that it alleviates pain, itching, and inflammation while others say that repeatedly applying vinegar to the sunburn can cause a chemical burn. You can do it on your own risk or don’t do it at all. After all, there are nine other home remedies that you can try.
7) Coriander oil:
Rubbing this essential oil on the sunburned skin can help reduce inflammation.
8) Baking soda or cornstarch:
Taking a bath in water soaked with baking soda or cornstarch can help relieve itching and avoid inflammation.
9) Witch hazel:
Soak a cotton cloth with this anti-inflammatory astringent and set it on the skin for 20 minutes, three or four times a day to get rid of the pain and itching.
10) Cool water:
A cool bath or shower helps to relieve the pain and heat but avoid using bath oils, soap or bubble bath.