These Remedies for Sunburn Treatment Work A Treat
It's HOT in Ireland right now and there are a lot of red necks, arms and backs of legs out there! Sunburn is skin damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays. The skin becomes red, hot, sore and tender. It may start to flake and peel after a few days, and will usually fully heal within a week but it can be very painful in the meantime.
It goes without saying that it's important to try to avoid getting burnt it because it can increase your risk of developing skin problems such as ageing (wrinkling) and skin cancer, but in case it does happen...
# 1 DRINK!
You're probably feeling very dehydrated. Sunburn draws fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body, so drink lots and lots of fluids (water is best, as are sports drinks). Replacing lost body fluids will help your skin heal from sunburn more quickly.
You're probably feeling very dehydrated. Sunburn draws fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body, so drink lots and lots of fluids (water is best, as are sports drinks). Replacing lost body fluids will help your skin heal from sunburn more quickly.
#2 Moisturise your skin while it is damp
Take a cool shower or bath to cool your sunburned skin. Avoid soap or perfumes in the bath water as these can be drying on already dry and sunburned skin. Aloe vera is brilliant for sunburn, so reach for that it you have it, or if you are buying some, try and choose one that has the Aloe vera in it. If you use after sun while your skin is damp it will retain moisture better.
Stay away from oil-based creams, as they may trap the heat and enhance the burn.
Take a cool shower or bath to cool your sunburned skin. Avoid soap or perfumes in the bath water as these can be drying on already dry and sunburned skin. Aloe vera is brilliant for sunburn, so reach for that it you have it, or if you are buying some, try and choose one that has the Aloe vera in it. If you use after sun while your skin is damp it will retain moisture better.
Stay away from oil-based creams, as they may trap the heat and enhance the burn.
#3 Take down the inflammation
Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen are great to aid discomfort and inflammation. A gentle cortisone cream can also assist to reduce redness and swelling (always read the manufacturer's label). It may help relieve sunburn symptoms like pain, itch, and swelling.
Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen are great to aid discomfort and inflammation. A gentle cortisone cream can also assist to reduce redness and swelling (always read the manufacturer's label). It may help relieve sunburn symptoms like pain, itch, and swelling.
# 4 Milk it
Apply cool, not cold, milk with a clean cloth to your sunburned skin. The milk will create a protein film that helps ease sunburn discomfort. Like milk, yogurt applied to sunburned skin also can be soothing.
Apply cool, not cold, milk with a clean cloth to your sunburned skin. The milk will create a protein film that helps ease sunburn discomfort. Like milk, yogurt applied to sunburned skin also can be soothing.
#5 Tea Time
Apply freshly brewed tea after it has cooled to sunburnt skin using a clean cloth. The tannic acid in black tea reportedly helps draw heat from sunburned skin, and also aids in restoring the pH balance. Add mint to the tea for a more cooling effect. Apply teabags soaked in cold water to sunburned eyelids to soothe the burn and reduce inflammation.
Apply freshly brewed tea after it has cooled to sunburnt skin using a clean cloth. The tannic acid in black tea reportedly helps draw heat from sunburned skin, and also aids in restoring the pH balance. Add mint to the tea for a more cooling effect. Apply teabags soaked in cold water to sunburned eyelids to soothe the burn and reduce inflammation.
#6 Us Irish love our spuds
Boil and mash some peeled potatoes, let cool, and apply as a dressing to sunburned areas. It is believed that the starch in the potatoes helps draw out heat, which can reduce pain and speed healing
Boil and mash some peeled potatoes, let cool, and apply as a dressing to sunburned areas. It is believed that the starch in the potatoes helps draw out heat, which can reduce pain and speed healing
