In the summer we all want to enjoy the warm water, fishing, swimming, blue skies, picnics with family and friends, and many other outdoor activities. But also this is a time of the year when sunburns are becoming a big problem. UV rays are the cause the sunburns. When you are exposed too much to UV light, then it can damage your skin which will make it red and painful.
The symptoms of sunburn will not happen immediately. It can take up to 5 hours for the sunburns to appear.
If sunburns are not treated immediately, then the burn can lead to blistering or peeling skin. Sunburns can also increase your risk of developing melanoma which is a deadly form of skin cancer [1]. We know that prevention is the best way to avoid sunburn.
You should stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. because you know that in this interval the sun is strongest. Also, you should wear proper clothing which covers your skin as well as sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. You should apply effective sunscreen to the exposed areas several times per day.
You should know that sunburn can be developing in your skin before it is visible to you so precautions are very important for you. If you have sunburns, then you can try some of the below-mentioned home remedies because they can reduce inflammation and soothe your stinging skin. You need to talk with your doctor before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies for sunburn.
9 Home remedies for sunburn
Contents
Cool compress
You can apply a cold compress to the affected area because it can help to reduce the inflammation and pain that are associated with sunburn. This home remedy will cause the tiny blood vessels to constrict which in turn will reduce the inflammation. You should wrap a handful of ice cubes in a damp cloth. You should hold the compress over the affected area as long as it is cool. You should apply this home remedy several times per day as needed because it can help you to get relief from the discomfort. You should never apply the ice directly to your skin because it can damage your skin.
Potatoes
Raw potato is a very effective home remedy for relieving sunburn because it has natural starches which can help to draw the heat of the skin [2].
You should peel 2 large potatoes and you should cut them into small pieces. You should blend these pieces in a blender to make a paste. You should apply this paste to the affected skin and let it dry on its own. You should take a cool shower. You should repeat this natural treatment once per day for a period of a few days until the symptoms are gone.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil has skin-nourishing fatty acids and this is a reason why it works as an excellent moisturizer to reduce the symptoms of sunburns [3]. Also, it has Vitamin E which is working as an antioxidant and this can help to decrease the inflammation that is caused by sunburn. The coconut oil is very light which means that it can be quickly absorbed by the skin and it can give good results in a period of a few days. You should slightly warm extra–virgin coconut oil in the microwave. You should liberally rub some of this oil on the sunburned area and then gently massage it. You should do this natural treatment 3 times per day for a period of several days to promote healing.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a great astringent. It can help to soothe the sunburn pain and it can speed up the healing process. Apple cider vinegar has acetic acid which can help to ease the inflammation and itching.
You should add one cup of apple cider vinegar to a bathtub filled with lukewarm water. You should soak your body in this water for about 30 minutes. This home remedy can help to balance the pH level of the sunburned skin and it can promote healing. You should follow this natural treatment once per day as needed.
You have another option and that is to mix equal amounts of cool water and apple cider vinegar. You should soak paper towels in this home remedy and then place them over the affected skin. You should let them on until the towels are dry. You should repeat this natural treatment several times per day for a period of a few days until you see improvements in your condition. If you have abrasions on your skin, then you should avoid using the apple cider vinegar home remedies.
Black tea
This type of tea is full of antioxidants which are very helpful for the treatment of sunburned and irritated skin. Also, it has tannins which can protect your skin from UV radiation damage and it can reduce inflammation [4]. Also, this home remedy can aid in restoring the pH balance of the skin.
You should brew 2 or 3 teabags in a pot of hot water. You should allow it to sit for a few minutes. You should remove the teabags and you should let the liquid cool to room temperature. You should soak a cloth in this home remedy and then dab it on the affected skin. You should let it stay there until it dries completely and you should reapply it 3 or 4 times as necessary. You do not need to wash it off. You should do this natural treatment for a few days until you have improvements in your condition.
Milk
Milk has fat, protein, and pH which have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties on the skin and they can give you relief from the symptoms of sunburns.
You should mix 4 cups of water with one cup of skim milk. You should add some ice cubes to this home remedy. You should dip a cotton cloth in this home remedy and then apply it to the sunburned area for 30 minutes. Then, you should gently pat dry your skin using a soft towel. You should repeat this natural treatment every 4 hours for a few days until the irritation and pain subside. The cold temperature will reduce swelling and constrict blood vessels while the milk will create a protein film that will ease the pain.
Aloe Vera
This home remedy has anti-inflammatory properties which can help to deal with the various symptoms of sunburn [5]. Also, it has soothing properties which can help to ease the pain that is associated with sunburn. You should extract the gel from a section of an Aloe Vera leaf. You should put this gel in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. You should apply a light coating of the chilled gel on the sunburned skin. You should allow it to dry on its own so your skin can fully absorb the medicinal properties. You should do this natural treatment 5 or 6 times per day for a period of several days. If you do not have an Aloe Vera plant at your home, then you can buy Aloe Vera gel from the market.
Oatmeal
This is also a very effective home remedy for sunburns. It has soothing properties which can help the skin to retain its natural moisture and it can reduce irritation [6].
You should fill the bathtub with cool water. Add one cup of oatmeal and then mix it thoroughly. You should soak in the bathwater for about 30 minutes. After you get out of the water, you should air dry your body and you should avoid rubbing your skin with a towel. You should do this natural treatment once per day until you rid of the symptoms of sunburn.
Also, there is another option and that is to cook oatmeal with enough water until it has a runny consistency. You should let it cool completely and then apply it liberally to your damaged skin. You should not rub the oatmeal on your skin. You should let it on your skin for 30 minutes and then rinse it off using cool water. You should follow this home remedy 2 or 3 times per day as long as needed.
Baking soda
This home remedy can be very soothing on sunburned skin because it is alkaline in nature. Also, it has antiseptic properties which can help you to get relief from the itchy sensation that is associated with the sunburn. You should fill your bathtub with cold water. Add one cup of baking soda and then stir it well. You should soak in this water for about fifteen minutes. After you get out of this bath, you should pat dry or allow your body to air dry. You should do this natural treatment once per day until you get positive results.
Also, there is another option and that is to mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with enough water to make a paste. You should apply this paste directly to the skin using a cotton ball. You should let it stay there for ten minutes and then wash it off using tepid water. You should follow the mentioned home remedy once or twice per day for a period of several days depending upon the severity of your condition.
References:
[1] Wu S, Cho E, Li W-Q, et al. History of severe sunburn and risk of skin cancer among women and men in 2 prospective cohort studies. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2016;183(9):824-33.
[2] Keswani MH, Vartak AM, Patil A, Davies JW. Histological and bacteriological studies of burn wounds treated with boiled potato peel dressings. Burns.1990;16(2):137-43.
[3] Kaur CD, Saraf S. In vitro sun protection factor determination of herbal oils used in cosmetics. Pharmacognosy Research. 2010;2(1):22-25.
[4] Turkoglu M, Cigirgil N. Evaluation of black tea gel and its protection potential against UV. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2008;29(6):437-42.
[5] Maenthaisong R, Chaiyakunapruk N, Niruntraporn S, Kongkaew C. The efficacy of aloe vera used for burn wound healing: a systematic review. Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE): Quality-assessed Reviews [Internet]. The University of York: Centre for Reviews and Dissemination. 1995.
[6] Kurtz ES, Wallo W. Colloidal oatmeal: history, chemistry and clinical properties. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2007;6(2):167-70.
