A burn is more difficult to treat than to prevent, yet in the United States alone, half of the adult population between the ages of 18 and 29 report burns at least once a year. All burns can cause skin damage. Learn to treat and get rid of them as soon as possible, and also find out how to prevent them in the future.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Immediate Treatments
Step 1. As soon as you notice that you are sunburned, start protecting yourself from the sun right away
Every single second of exposure will only make the burn worse. Better to go indoors. If that's not possible, look for the shade.
- Beach umbrellas provide very little protection from UV rays, unless they are very large and made of thick fabric.
- Exposure to the sun can also occur in the shade, in fact the UV rays are reflected on the surfaces and penetrate everything, from clouds to leaves.
Step 2. Take a cold shower or bath
The water will cool the skin and may reduce the severity of the sunburn. Avoid using soap, as it will irritate and dry out the skin. Afterward, air dry. Using a towel can cause discomfort and irritation.
If you must use a towel, gently pat your skin rather than rubbing it
Step 3. Apply aloe vera gel or nourishing cream
Massage it on the affected area to hydrate and refresh the skin. Repeat the procedure frequently, or at least twice a day, to prevent dryness and peeling.
- Try using a lotion or gel containing vitamins C and E - it can reduce skin damage.
- Avoid oily or alcohol-containing products.
- If you have an aloe vera plant, you can make the gel directly from the leaves. Just cut one vertically, squeeze the gel and apply it on the sunburn.
- The gel obtained directly from an aloe vera plant is extremely concentrated, natural and effective.
Step 4. Drink lots of water
Prolonged exposure to the sun and heat cause dehydration. A sunburn draws water to the skin's surface, depriving the rest of the body of fluids. In the following days, remember to drink a lot.
The usual 8 glasses of water a day are not enough: drink more until healing is complete, especially if you continue to expose yourself to the heat, play sports or other activities that make you sweat
Part 2 of 3: Conventional Home Treatments
Step 1. Prepare a cold compress and apply it to the sunburn
Wrap several ice cubes or a pack of frozen food with a wet cloth. Hold it gently on the affected area for 15-20 minutes and repeat several times a day.
Remember that ice and other frozen substances should not be pressed directly to the skin, otherwise the cold will irritate it and only make the situation worse
Step 2. Try taking an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen
It reduces swelling and redness, plus it could prevent long-term skin damage. Once the treatment has started, continue for 48 hours.
Acetaminophen can relieve the pain of a sunburn, but it doesn't have the same anti-inflammatory effect as ibuprofen
Step 3. Wear loose fitting clothing
Avoid rough or itchy fabrics. In most cases, light cotton is preferable.
- Protect sunburned skin by covering it before you go out. Wear a hat, bring a parasol, and use tightly woven fabrics.
- Also, be sure to use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and repeat the application every 2 hours.
Step 4. Close the blinds and try lowering the temperature in the house
If you have air conditioning, turn it on, otherwise a fan can substantially lower your body temperature, especially when it is directed towards the burned area.
The cellar is the best place in the house to recover from a sunburn, as it is generally cool and protected from sunlight
Part 3 of 3: Natural Home Treatments
Step 1. Infuse several black tea bags in hot water
Let it cool (speed up the process with an ice cube). Remove the sachets and place them directly on the affected area. The tannins in the tea help reduce inflammation. You can also pour iced tea over the entire burn.
Tannins are natural astringents. Studies show that they help heal sunburn and prevent infections
Step 2. Pour a cup of plain yogurt into a bowl
Mix it with 4 glasses of water. Soak a damp cloth in the solution and apply it to the sunburn for 15-20 minutes. Repeat every 2-4 hours.
- Plain yogurt contains many probiotics and enzymes that help treat burns.
- Make sure the yogurt is completely natural. The flavored ones contain sugar and fewer probiotics.
Step 3. Pour at least one cup of baking soda into a tub filled with cold water
Immerse yourself and, upon exiting, let the solution air dry. It will relieve pain and promote healing.
Baking soda has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, so it helps fight inflammation and prevent infections
Step 4. Fill a colander with dried oat flakes, then turn on the tap, let the water run through the filter and collect it in a bowl
Discard the oat flakes and soak a cloth in the solution. Apply it to the sunburn every 2 to 4 hours.
Oats contain chemicals called saponins, which cleanse and moisturize the skin at the same time
Advice
- After a sunburn, do not wear makeup, apply oily lotions or fragrances for several days.
- Store aloe vera-based lotions or gels in the refrigerator to make them even more effective.
- Avoid using acne medications - they can dry out and redden your skin further.
- Make sure the lotions or gels you apply do not contain alcohol, which can dry out the skin.
- Don't use butter, petroleum jelly, or other oil-based products to hydrate yourself. They can clog pores, prevent heat from escaping, or cause infections.
- After getting sunburned, generously apply a sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30 before going out. Also, put on a hat and long-sleeved shirts.
- If blisters form, do not squeeze them and clean the surrounding area with an antibacterial solution.
Warnings
- If blisters from sunburn cover a large area of your body or become infected, see your doctor.
- In severe cases, it is necessary to seek medical attention. If you have a fever or flu-like symptoms, it could be sunstroke, a potentially dangerous ailment.
