Sunburn Remedies to Keep on Hand

It takes only 15 minutes of sun exposure to develop a sunburn. Since the symptoms associated with a sunburn, including redness, pain and blisters, can develop slowly over a 24-hour period, you may not know the extent of your injuries until much later. 

Whenever you spend time outdoors, regardless of the weather, a sunburn is a very real possibility. In addition to taking preventative measures, such as wearing sunscreen and protective clothing, be sure to keep several sunburn remedies on hand.

Over-the-Counter Medications

Over-the-counter sunburn treatments are available in sprays and creams. According to USA Today, the most effective over-the-counter treatments include Aquaphor’s Healing Ointment, Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Lotion, Burt’s Bees After Sun Soother and Banana Boat After Sun Gel. 

For severe sunburns, keep hydrocortisone cream on hand, advises MayoClinic. For particularly painful sunburns, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. These products also help reduce redness and swelling.

All-Natural Products

If you prefer an all-natural product, there are several to choose from. In addition to harvesting aloe vera gel straight from the plant and applying it to your skin, you can take a cool, soothing bath with one or more of the following ingredients: apple cider vinegar, oatmeal, lavender oil, chamomile oil or baking soda. 

Home Remedies

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends several home remedies to treat sunburns. In addition to taking cool showers and baths, you can place cool compresses on your skin for up to 15 minutes several times per day. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water and apply lotion regularly to keep your skin hydrated.

Several items in your pantry and/or medicine cabinet may be useful for treating a sunburn. For example, tea bags soaked in cold water and witch hazel applied with a cotton ball help alleviate the redness and inflammation associated with sunburn. 

Although sunburn can happen in a matter of minutes, the painful symptoms can linger for days. Kids can be especially susceptible as they tend to be distracted by play. We hope these ideas help you to keep your skin happy this summer.

Copyright 2019, Wellness.com