Relieve a Sunburn Naturally

Summer is a glorious time filled with outdoor fun and activities. The problems ensue when you spend too much time outside with too little sunscreen! Most people have stayed just an extra hour or so in the pool or on the beach with little or no sunscreen in place.

What comes next will make you think twice before leaving home without your sun protection, red angry skin that is hot and irritated that will keep you up all night long! At this point, all you want is something to relieve a sun burn.

There are many products that you can purchase to ease the pain and discomfort of a sunburn. Aloe Vera creams with lidocaine spray on sunburn relief and prescription medications are all available today. However many people prefer to relieve a sun burn at home with natural remedies.

Natural Ways to Relieve a Sunburn

Ask any old timer and you will soon have more than a few home remedies. Many are great and a few are a little weird, but the one thing they will provide is a way to relieve a sun mark naturally.

- Vinegar - It seems like everywhere you look vinegar is being touted as the home remedy. From acid reflux to weight loss vinegar is the miracle substance. Though vinegar may not be a proven treatment for acid reflux, it is an excellent way of treating severe sunburns.

- Aloe Vera - The best old time treatment to relieve a sunburn has to be Aloe Vera. You can find Aloe Vera in two forms, raw and processed. The raw form is an Aloe Vera plant from which you can simply pluck a leaf, break it open and spread the aloe on your burn. For people with less than a green thumb however you can also buy processed aloe either as a pure extract or as the main ingredient in many skin creams.

- Tea Bags - The tannin in tea bags is very soothing to sunburns and reduces swelling quite efficiently. Boil your tea bags and make tea if you would like, then place the bags in the fridge to cool and then use them as cool compresses on the affected area.

- Cold Compresses - A great way to relieve a sun burn naturally is through the use of cold compresses. The easiest method of making your own is to take several towels, dampen them and place them in the freezer for a short amount of time. Just before they are frozen, place them on your sunburn.

Conclusion

When it comes to ways to relieve a sunburn at home, you have more than a few options. All of the above methods are safe to use and will provide at least temporary comfort. Prevention is always better than cure, but when you forget the sunscreen, it is good to know you have options.