10 Home Remedies For Sunburn
Many of us take any opportunity we can to get a good tan. This usually means spending some time out in the sun, but this is not without risks. Overdo it, and the power of the sun can burn your skin, leaving you really quite sore. Even when cloudy, the sun can be surprisingly strong and still lead to unpleasant burns.
Treating a sunburn involves, firstly, getting out of the sun to prevent the condition getting worse. Then, various lotions and other treatments are available that help to soothe the pain and heal the skin. If you don’t have any remedies on hand and there is no pharmacy nearby, you can try making your own remedies from ingredients around the home. Here are some of the most popular home remedies for treating sunburns.
Sunburn Home Remedy #1: Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a plant with thick leaves that contain a gel-like substance. This gel has made the plant very popular in health circles as it is thought to offer numerous health benefits. It is also thought to be a suitable remedy for helping to relieve the symptoms of a sunburn. The gel contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties and can also help with moisturising and speed up healing.
To use Aloe Vera as a sunburn remedy, first place it in the fridge for 30 minutes. Then, apply some of the gel directly onto the sunburned area. Leave the gel in place to allow it to take effect and repeat the process 5 to 6 times a day until the sunburn has subsided.
Sunburn Home Remedy #2: Baking Soda
Baking soda is obviously handy to have in the kitchen, but it can also be used for a variety of other reasons, including as a remedy for sunburn. The alkalinity of baking soda helps it to be soothing when placed on skin that is sunburnt, while its antiseptic properties can also prevent infection and soothe itchiness.
To use baking soda as a sunburn remedy, bathe for 15 minutes in cold water that has had one cup of baking soda added to it. You could also make a paste by mixing baking soda with water and then apply the paste directly onto the burnt areas. Leave it on for 10 minutes before washing off, repeating the process twice a day.
Sunburn Home Remedy #3: Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been used in remedies for various conditions for generations and is still popular today 1https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/apple-cider-vinegar-benefits/. Its properties also help it to speed up the process of healing sunburnt skin and can also help to soothe the pain. It can also help reduce inflammation and helps to relieve discomfort from itchiness.
To create a remedy for sunburn using apple cider vinegar, add one cup of it to a bath of lukewarm water, then bathe in the water for 30 minutes. Alternatively, soak paper towels in a solution of equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and water. Then, place the paper towels onto burnt skin and allow the towels to dry. Do this several times a day until the sunburn subsides.
Sunburn Home Remedy #4: Coconut Oil
Not only is coconut great for eating fresh and in cooking, but its oil is also found in a range of health and beauty products. Coconut oil is full of compounds that offer health benefits and can also be effective in treating sunburn. It is an effective moisturiser and also contains fatty acids that help to nourish and nurture the skin. It also contains antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory properties.
Using coconut oil as a remedy is easily done. Just heat some extra-virgin coconut oil in a microwave until warm, then apply it directly to the affected area. This should be done several times a day until the skin’s condition has improved.
Sunburn Home Remedy #5: Oatmeal
Excellent as a healthy breakfast choice and ideal for people on a low-calorie diet, oatmeal can also work as a remedy for sunburn. Using oatmeal as a remedy can help the skin to reduce irritation and also help the skin to retain its moisture.
Make a runny mixture by cooking oatmeal in water and then let the mixture cool. Once cool, apply the mixture to the affected areas but without rubbing it in. Leave it on the skin for 30 minutes before rinsing it off and repeat the process 2-3 times a day. You can also mix one cup of oatmeal into a cool bath, and then bathe in the water for 30 minutes. Do this once a day until the sunburn has subsided.
Sunburn Home Remedy #6: Cold Compress
Sunburnt skin can retain a lot of heat for some time after you have left the sun, and a cold compress will help to cool it down. Also, the cold will help restrict the blood vessels and this will help to reduce inflammation. The cool cloth will also help to soothe the pain caused by sunburnt skin.
It is important not to apply ice directly onto the skin, though, as this could make matters worse. Instead, wrap the ice in a cloth first and you can apply the cloth to the skin. Hold the compress in place so that it cools the skin. Do this as often as you like until the symptoms of the sunburn have improved.
Sunburn Home Remedy #7: Tea
Tea is great for a stimulant to help you get going in the morning, or also as a refreshing beverage on a hot day. Not only does it make a great drink, though, but it also offers various health benefits. In addition, it can also be used in home remedies to treat the effects of a sunburn. It contains tannin that helps protect against UV light, helps maintain a healthy PH balance and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Make a strong brew of black tea in a pot and let the brew cool. Once cool, soak a cloth in the brew and apply it gently to the skin. There is no need to wash the brew off the skin, and you should apply more throughout the day. Continue until the sunburn has improved sufficiently.
Sunburn Home Remedy #8: Honey
Delicious on toast, or maybe as a sweetener in tea or coffee, honey is often considered to be one of nature’s candies. What a lot of people don’t know, though, is that honey can also be good for our health and can also be used as a remedy for sunburn. Honey contains compounds that help to heal skin, while also acting as an antibiotic to prevent infection and also help the skin to retain moisture.
Honey ingested with water is thought to help the healing process, while promoting a healthy complexion overall. It can also be applied directly on to the skin up to three times a day until symptoms have sufficiently improved.
Sunburn Home Remedy #9: Milk
Everybody knows that milk is packed full of important nutrients such as vitamins and calcium. In addition, it also contains proteins and fats that can help to soothe burned skin, making it suitable as a remedy. The pH of the milk also helps to provide the right pH balance, while cool milk is soothing on burned skin and helps restrict swelling.
One cup of milk should be mixed with four cups of water and then cooled in the fridge or with ice cubes. Soak a cloth in the mixture, then soak the cloth to the affected area for 30 minutes, dabbing the skin dry when finished. You should repeat this process every for hours or so, every day until symptoms have cleared up sufficiently.
Sunburn Home Remedy #10: Potato
A staple diet around the world, potatoes are found in a huge variety of dishes. In addition to being ideal for main meals and snacks, potatoes can also be quite good for us, and can even help to relieve the symptoms of a sunburn. The potato’s high starch content will help to draw out excess heat when applied directly to the skin.
To use potato as a sunburn remedy, make a paste by blending two potatoes after first peeling them. Then, apply the paste to the affected area and leave the paste to dry. Once dry, rinse off with cool water. Repeat the process several times a day until the sunburn has improved enough to stop treatment.
