Sunburn Relief - Natural Remedies

Sunburn. It happens to the best of us. You missed a spot, or didn’t reapply sunscreen soon enough. Here are a few tips for releif.

Symptoms may not occur immediately; the first signs of a sunburn may not appear for a few hours. The full effect to your skin may not appear for 24 hours or longer. If not treated, the burn can lead to peeling or blistering skin, and in some cases, a trip to the ER. Sunburn also increases the risk of developing melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer.

PREVENTION

It goes without saying that sun protection is the best form of prevention. The most effective and effient form of sun protection is UPF 50+ clothing. Little Leaves clothing naturally blocks 98% of all UV rays, so you can focus on your family, not whether they are getting burned.

NATURAL SUNBURN REMEDIES

Here are the top natural remedies for treating sunburn.

AVOID SOAP

It’s a good idea to jump in the tub or shower to wash off salt, sand, or chlorine as soon as you can. But don’t make a sunburn worse by using soap! It can dry and irritate sensitive sunburned skin.

Do not soak in soapy water. Likewise, stay away from bubble baths, says Dr. Carlos Gomez-Meade, dermatologist and Little Leaves co-founder.

What you can do is take a cool bath, as an alternative to compresses. Add more water as needed to keep the temperature cool. Afterward, gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel, or allow it to air dry. Do not rub your skin, or you'll irritate it further. You can also add one of the following to reduce pain, itching, and inflammation.

• Vinegar. Mix 1 cup of white or apple cider vinegar into a tub of cool water, says pediatrician Dr. Carley Gomez-Meade. A great astringent, it soothes sunburn pain.
• Aveeno. If the sunburn involves a large area, use the premeasured packets or add 1/2 cup of Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment ($6; amazon.com), made from oatmeal, to a tub of cool water, says Dr. Gomez-Meade. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Aveeno is a well-known remedy for itching.
• Baking soda. Generously sprinkle baking soda (about a cup) into tepid bathwater. Instead of toweling off, let the solution dry on your skin. It is completely nontoxic, and it will soothe the pain.

ALOE VERA GEL

Aloe vera gel is cool, soothing, and pulls the sting and redness right out of your sunburn. Some people use their home aloe vera plants, but this can cause accidental irritation.

Having a quality aloe vera gel from the store is your best bet-it’s also more practical for treating larger areas.

MOISTURIZE WITH COCONUT OIL

Since coconut oil is loaded with skin nourishing fatty acids, it works an excellent moisturizer to reduce the symptoms of sunburn.

The vitamin E in coconut oil works as an antioxidant, which helps decrease inflammation. It is also absorbed quickly by the skin and can provide results within a few days.

1. Rub extra-virgin coconut oil between your hands to warm it up.
2. Liberally rub the oil on the sunburned area.
3. Reapply three times daily for several days to promote healing.

HYDRATE

Sunburn is a burn. It sounds obvious, but many people don’t make that connection. And it can lead to dehydration. Keep a tall glass or bottle of ice cold water on hand at all times to make sure you’re keeping yourself full of H20, which is necessary to heal your damaged skin.

PAIN RELIEF

Take ibuprofen to help with inflammation and pain relief.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Sunburns can certainly be uncomfortable, but with attentive treatment they don’t have to be a lingering issue. The best treatment is not getting a sunburn in the first place! Follow the tips in our article, 7 Ways to Protect Your Skin and check out Little Leaves sun protective clothing for the entire family to prevent any future sun damage!