Cures for Sunburn

Summary: If you get sunburned, act quickly to calm the pain, cool the skin and eliminate the itching. If possible, use proven medical and natural techniques. Protect your skin against further burning to avoid long-term skin damage and/or skin cancer.

You've enjoyed your day at the beach. But, you either forgot to apply / reapply sunscreen or you didn't apply it properly. As you head back to the hotel, you feel the warmth emanating from your body. You are already en route to an evening of sunburn torment and in search of a cure for a sunburn.

By the time you feel the effects of sunburn, it's too late. Now, all you can do is work to minimize its severity, duration and pain.

Of course, this scenario involves a minor (or first degree burn). If the skin is blistered or oozing, the burn is more serious and requires proper medical attention. Otherwise bacteria can enter the wound and make their way throughout the body.

One of the easiest things to do to lessen sunburn pain is to take an over-the-counter pain reliever. These include Ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol). While aspirin is another choice, it should not be given to teens or children and to others who may have stomach or other medical issues. Most of us have one or more of these pain relievers at the ready (even if we are in travel mode).

Next, cool the burn. Take a tepid to cold shower or bath or hold the burned area under gently running tepid or cold water for at least five minutes, or until the pain subsides. Alternatively cool the burn with cold compresses. Change the compress frequently to ensure the chill remains. The only reason the compress feels cold is that heat is being removed from your skin. Cooling the burn reduces swelling. Do not put ice or ice packs directly on the burn.

Baking soda or oatmeal baths are other suggested natural cures for sunburns. For the former, add about a cup of baking soda to tepid bath water. Then soak in the bath for about 15 to 20 minutes. For the latter, you can use any of several Aveeno products containing colloidal (finely milled) oatmeal. These help to moisturize the skin and calm the pain and itching of sunburn. I've used Aveeno's Soothing Bath Treatment, so I can attest to its worth.

You can also apply topical ointments to the burned area, especially those with aloe or those designed for treating various aspects of the sunburn. Look for ointments with Lidocaine (local anesthetic) to block the "I have sunburn" signals at the nerve endings in the skin. Ointments or lotions with Aloe Vera help to "cool" and also often help heal burns. While touted as a "miracle" medication, medical experts note that it should not be used on deeper or more severe sunburns.

A myriad of natural cures for sunburn (such as cucumber, milk and honey, and butter) punctuate the Web. These may or may not work as advertised. And cures for sunburns that place dairy products (milk or butter) onto any open wound can add food for bacterial growth. You should do some research on these before trying them.

Clearly the best cure for sunburn is not to get burned in the first place. But, if you do, treat it quickly with proven skin calming and pain relieving medications and/or ointments. Then stay out of the sun until the burn subsides. Finally, be sure to use sunscreen and sunblock on the burned area for a year afterwards to avoid causing further skin damage or allowing skin cancer to start.

Read the Best Sunburn Treatment's article from this Cures for Sunburn's page.



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