Home Remedies For Sunburn

Got a sunburn?  Not surprising – summer is just about upon us.

 

Here are a few simple facts about the effects of the sun on your skin, and few techniques to help you battle the “sting” of a burn .

Ultraviolet B rays or UVB rays are responsible for causing sunburn. They penetrate deep into your skin and destroy the living cells in your skin, resulting in sunburn. Increased blood flow to the area of the sunburn makes it look red. Signs of severe sunburn include tender skin, pain, swelling and blisters. Immediate medical care is needed if fever, chills, confusion and an upset stomach occur due to sunburn. 

Both UVA and UVB rays can lead to skin cancer. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, one American dies every day from skin cancer and one in five Americans will develop this condition in their lifetime. The American Academy of Dermatology, states that more than 90 percent of all skin cancers occurs in parts of the body that are exposed to the sun. 

Another common outcome of sun exposure is age spots. A melanin pigment in our skin helps to absorb sunlight and protect us from UV rays. Unfortunately, aging skin loses its capability to deflect UV rays and it starts to show signs of age spots. Age spots are a result of UV's ability to damage our cells that produce melanin, melanocytes. Over time, UV radiation can cause more coloring than necessary to be accumulated in the skin. This creates flat, brown skin blemishes on your skin known as age spots.

To protect yourself from sun exposure is to avoid it during the hours when UV rays are the strongest. If you can't keep yourself out of the sun, it is vital to use sunscreen. This is necessary to do daily, even under makeup that says it contains sun protection. If your time exposed to the sun is extended, be sure to reapply sunscreen regularly. It is also important for you to know of any medications that you take that cause you to be more sensitive to sunlight. For those at higher risk, it is recommended to apply sunscreen as well as use other protective layers such as hats, glasses, and clothing that limits your skin's exposure to the sun.

If you do end up with sunburn, try these simple home remedies to ease the pain.

Vinegar -  Mix equal parts cool water and vinegar in a bowl or basin.  Soak towels in the mixture.  Wring towels and apply these compresses to the sunburn areas. Repeat as needed.  Or you can mix 1 cup white vinegar into a tub of cool water and soak in the tub.

Baking soda – sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda into tepid bathwater. Let the solution dry into the skin – don’t towel off.

Cornstarch – Make a paste with cornstarch by adding enough water and apply to sunburn areas.

Skim Milk – Mix 1 cup skim milk with 4 cups water. Add a few ice cubes.  Apply compresses for about 15 minutes.  Repeat every 2-4 hours.

Aloe Vera Gel  - the aloe vera gel causes a cooling effect on the burn, which soothes the area and reduces the damage to the sensitive tissues caused by the burn. Aloe gel evaporates due to its large amount of water, so it must be applied as often as needed.