Sunburn Relief
A painful sunburn is just one of the dangers of spending too much time in the sun. Overexposure can result in age spots, wrinkles and even skin cancer. It takes two to four hours for sunburn damage to appear, and it takes up to 24 hours for the pain, redness and swelling to reach its peak. To avoid sunburn, wear sunscreen of SPF 15 or stronger and try to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest. If you do get burned, try these methods for pain relief.
Cool the Burn
Soak a cloth in cold water and place it on the sunburn. This helps drop the skin's temperature and reduces swelling and inflammation. Do not use ice, which can cause further damage to the burned skin through frostbite. If the sunburn affects a large area, soak in a cool bath. This also will help rehydrate the skin.
Aloe Vera
Gently rub aloe vera gel on the sunburn. Sunburn pain is caused by the release of prostaglandins, and aloe vera counters this effect. When purchasing aloe gel, look for a product that is 98 percent to 100 percent pure.
Prickly pear cactus gel has some of the same soothing effects as aloe. Prickly pear leaves can be found in the produce aisle of some grocery stores. Split the cactus leaf open and scrape out the gel, then apply directly to the sunburn.
Sunburn Relief Spray
Pour 1/2 tsp. lavender essential oil, 1/2 cup aloe gel, 1 tsp. vitamin E oil and 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle. Shake well and spray on your sunburn. When applying to the face, avoid contact with your eyes and instead spray on a piece of gauze and dab it on face. Store the spray in the refrigerator to make it extra cooling; it will keep for up to four months. This spray promotes new cell growth and healing while reducing inflammation.
Other Remedies
Smear the sunburn with plain yogurt, leave on for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse off with cool water. The dairy protein in the yogurt helps seal in moisture. Another cooling remedy is to fill a spray bottle with witch hazel and spray on skin. Place the spray in the refrigerator to chill.
Pain Relief
Medications that can provide pain relief include over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen. Topical anesthetic ointments also offer temporary relief. Look for products containing lidocaine, which are sold in cream or spray form. Sprays are easier to apply to sunburn. Do not spray on the face; instead spray into gauze and dab it on the burn.
Tags: Sunburn Relief, aloe vera, , pain relief, Prickly pear
