A SUNBURN occurs when the skin is burned by exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light. The consequence of this burn is inflammation of the skin. The long-term consequences of years of overexposure to the sun are significant. One blistering sunburn doubles the likelihood of developing malignant melanoma. Here are some home remedies for treating sunburn.
The first thing you want to do after getting sunburn is cool down the temperature of the burn. Once the skin has been burned your body is still radiating heat. However, if you expose an overheated body to its extreme opposite, cold, you run the risk of sending the body into shock. Therefore, the idea is to sooth the skin with cool, not cold products.
Rubbing alcohol and vinegar are two household products that can be used to quickly cool the pain. By dabbing rubbing alcohol on a painful sunburn you can easily decrease the discomfort of the affected areas. However, rubbing alcohol dries very quickly and can dehydrate the skin. Remember to drink lots of fluids to re-hydrate the entire body when using this product.
Vinegar is effective to soothe the painful affects of a sunburn. However, it does not dry as quickly as rubbing alcohol. You can dab vinegar onto the skin, but this may take a while to get all of the effected area. Drying time averages about five-seven minutes. The smell should subside within an hour and it is recommended to reapply vinegar every four-six hours.
Egg whites and potatoes can reduce the pain of a sunburn. Separate the egg whites from the yolk, and spread the egg white over the affected area (best for use on the face, neck or small sunburned area.)
Potatoes can be used in two different manners. After washing potatoes, cut in round slices and place directly on the skin to reduce inflammation and heat, or place chunks into a blender with a little bit of water to liquefy. Then, pat the potato juice on the area and allow it to dry. After any of these applications, rinse the food off the skin in a cool shower and pat the skin dry.
If symptoms do not start to subside in a couple of days or get worse, contact a doctor immediately. Otherwise, protect your skin with sunscreen.