Your bright morning at the beach turned into a nightmare with itchy, blistered skin. Here are remedies for treating sunburn.

Summer is a time to enjoy a family vacation amidst sun, sand and waves. Often, in our keenness to achieve perfect tan, we are baked. What went wrong? Did we apply enough sunscreen or did we apply more than necessary suntan lotion?  Did we consume plenty of fluids to stay hydrated? 

Why Do We Get Sunburn?

Sun is surely a positive force in our lives, a source that promotes all kinds of life existing on this planet. Yet too much of goodness can spoil the benefits.

Sun contains harmful ultraviolet radiations- UVA and UVB that are responsible for burning the uppermost layer of the skin. The skin begins to leak fluids, cooked like a steak when smoked on the charcoal fire. Any remedy? Prevention is better than cure. Once the skin is burnt, allow the body to heal naturally. Ice packs and pain medication may relieve the discomfort, but does not speed the healing process. It is strongly recommended to allow the sunburn heal on its own, lest you may scar from peeling a deep sunburn, or running to ER for controlling infection from opening the blisters.

Sunburn is largely caused due to direct sun exposure, inadequate application of sunscreen and inadequate consumption on liquids. Can we prevent it? Certainly! Avoid going out in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., it is when the sun radiates its harmful radiations responsible for both tanning and sunburn. Wear sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher half-an hour before stepping out in the sun. Re-apply the sunscreen every two hours over the expose body parts to avoid damage.

Remedies

Pain, redness, itchiness, blisters and peeling are the post sunburn effects that peaks after 24 hours. You can follow these simple home treatments to soothe your woe.

Use the succulent inner portion of the Aloe Vera plant. Cut it open and apply its gel over the affected area. Continue until you completely heal. Additionally, apply mild body lotion to allow the body oils to remain intact, which will help in the healing process.

Wear loose-fitting cotton clothes and when indoors wear minimal clothing to avoid skin irritation and further damaging the sun burnt area. Avoid wearing harsh materials like polyester that can aggravate your woe and use a soft cotton blanket before sitting on an upholstered couch.

Anti-inflammatory drugs, ibuprofen is helpful in relieving body ache, headache or fever that may occur post the sunburn.

Apply zinc oxide based ointments on the affected areas to reduce burning sensation and itchiness. Noxema facial cleanser is an excellent product to rub into the sun burnt area.

Drink plenty of water and juices to replace body fluids. These evaporated quickly while your skin was smoldering from the effects of the good sun. Keeping your body hydrated will speed up the healing process.  

Stay out of the sun until you heal completely and remover to wear sunscreen when you next step out!