6 Home Remedies to Treat Sunburns

The summer is in full swing, and many of us spend hours outdoors. While sunscreens have been gaining popularity, and more people are buying them, sunburns are still part of our summer routine. Here is what you can do at home to relieve the symptoms and help the skin regenerate faster.

Even if sunscreen is applied regularly, there is still a chance of sunburns, as some spots may be left uncovered, your hat may turn out to be a shield of poor quality, or whatever else may happen. If it’s the case, you are likely to feel pain, which is usually not that debilitating but still annoying. Besides, it can be accompanied by itching, and your skin’s appearance is far from being perfect. There are home remedies which you may find useful when trying to alleviate your symptoms and promote skin regeneration.

#1. Cool water

The strategy is the same as in cases when steam from your kettle burns your finger: you apply cold water. Since there is no tap that could be large enough to provide you with a shower of a decent size, you can dip in the sea or ocean, if you are on a beach, as it can help prevent further damage and reduce pain.

#2. Aloe vera

It has been used as a treatment for centuries, as it has a wide range of properties that benefit health in a number of ways. If you have the plant at home, break off a small chunk of it and apply the gel found in it to the sunburn area. Should you fail to find the plant itself, you can purchase a tube of aloe vera gel at the nearest pharmacy. It is recommended to use pure gel, as aloe-based lotions and creams are less effective.

#3. Chamomile

Another plant with a wide range of beneficial properties, chamomile can serve you as a sunburn remedy which is easy to use and capable of bringing relief. Brew chamomile tea using dried chamomile or special sachets with the dried plant, soak a cloth in the solution, and apply it to your skin. Keep in mind that some people are allergic to chamomile, and skin irritation may be exacerbated by bathing the affected area in chamomile tea.

#4. Bathe carefully

Some articles mention vinegar as one of the options, but it may actually aggravate the situation due to its acidity, so it is recommended not to add vinegar to your bath water. After you have bathed, do not rub your skin – dabbing it dry is a much better way of treating your sunburn areas.

#5. Opt for loose clothes

Having sunburn skin is not the best time to wear tight clothes or those made of synthetic fabrics that tend to stick to the skin. Instead, choose loose clothing that enables the air to reach the skin and prevents you from sweating. Extra pressure will damage your skin more, so cotton and bamboo fibers are the best choice in such cases.

#6. Drink more water

Your body must be adequately supplied with water to function properly, and while drinking 2 liters of water a day is a must for anyone regardless of season, it is all the more so because spending time in the sun causes you to sweat more, leading to less fluid staying in your body. As the body is trying to regenerate the skin, you need plenty of water to boost these processes. Aim for eight glasses a day – as a bonus, drinking extra water can also help you reduce the occurrence of urinary tract infections. Drinking too much is not beneficial, though, so make your water consumption reasonable.

Remember that if the pain increases, or other symptoms develop, such as fever, nausea, chills or something else, it is time to see a doctor, say Mayo Clinic experts. Ignoring the symptom aggravation can lead to serious complications, and home remedies are usually not potent enough to treat something other than mild burns.