Home remedies for sunburn

Sunburn is caused by the exposure of the skin to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun for a period of time. This condition causes redness and irritation of the skin. The ultraviolet rays have the ability to alter your DNA, which can lead to serious health problems such as skin cancers and even premature aging your skin. The seriousness of sunburn mainly depends on the intensity of the sun, type of your skin and the duration of sun exposure.  Sunburn, if not taken care of can become severe, leading to inflammation and the development of blisters. You will experience itching and the skin eventually starts to peel off.  Sunburns may also cause fever, headache, nausea, and weakness.

Fortunately there are several natural remedies that can help soothe the inflamed skin and provide relief from sunburn. Given below are some of these home remedies for sunburn relief that are easy to use, fast, and very effective.

Using compresses for sunburn treatment

To get relief from the skin inflammation caused by sunburn, you can try applying compresses dipped in cold water, witch hazel or aluminium acetate. Witch hazel is a good astringent that has been found to have strong anti-inflammatory properties while aluminum acetate prevents dryness and itchiness of the skin. Avoid this to treat sunburn blisters.

Potato paste as sunburn remedies

Potato paste is one of the best thing for sunburn. Potatoes have been found to have pain relieving effects and have been used for providing relief from skin problems such as skin irritations, inflammation, scratches, burns and bites, and burns. Apply potato paste, potato slices or potato juice over the affected area and see the difference.

Read more about health benefits of potato peel.

Cold milk

How to get rid of sun burn using cold milk? Simple! Applying a cold milk compress is the easiest way to get relief from sunburn. The coolness of the milk soothes the burns and the proteins found in milk aid fast healing of the skin and prevent further damage. Take a bowl of cold milk and soak a compress in it. Apply it over the burns and leave it on for a few minutes.

Aloe vera sunburn

The aloe vera plant contains a gel that is used frequently for the treatment of burns. This antibacterial gel when applied on the sunburn can provide immense soothing from the pain and inflammation. If you don’t have the aloe vera plant at home, then you can good quality aloe vera gel from the stores, which is more practical when it comes to treating larger sunburned areas. Aloe vera works excellent for itchy sunburn or sunburn peeling. Read more about making best use of aloe vera for skin.

Vinegar for sunburn

Vinegar has analgesic and antiseptic properties that can be beneficial in relieving pain and preventing infection. It also helps to balance the pH of the burned skin, thus promoting healing at a faster rate. Vinegar reduces the chances of blister formation and the subsequent peeling of skin. It moisturizes the skin and acts as a cooling agent that soothes the skin. How to treat sunburn using vinegar? Fill a spray bottle with apple cider vinegar and spray over the sunburned areas of your body. Repeat this process a few times a day. You can also dip a cotton ball in vinegar and gently dab the affected areas with the cotton ball.

Baking soda for Sunburn

Baking soda is alkaline in nature and can help soothe your sunburned skin. It also has antiseptic properties that will prevent itchiness and infection. Make a paste by mixing together three or four tablespoons of baking soda with water. Apply this paste over the affected area and leave it on for about 10 minutes. Then wash off the paste with cold water. Repeat this two or three times a day. You can also add baking soda to your bath. Fill your bathtub with cold water and add a cup of baking soda and stir well to it. Soak yourself in this bath for about 15 minutes.

Did you know? Baking soda is best alternative for microdermabrasion

Oatmeal

The pain and swelling from sunburn can be easily cured with the help of oatmeal that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Grind the oatmeal to a fine powder and make a paste by mixing the powder with milk and honey. Apply this paste on your sunburned skin and leave it on for about 15 to 20 minutes.  Then gently wash off the paste with cold water.

Mint and green tea for sunburn

Mint is a wonderful herb that has natural cooling properties. It contains menthol that provides an anesthetic effect. It stimulates the nerve endings in the skin and provides a cooling and numbing effect. Green tea contains tannic acid and theobromine that are also effective in relieving pain as well as in healing damaged skin. Boil three cups of mints leaves and 5 green tea bags in a quart of boiling water. Strain the tea and cool it. Then using a cotton ball, apply the liquid directly over the affected areas. Used tea bags may also be used as cure for sunburn.

Yogurt

Yogurt is another excellent and effective remedy for sunburn. Smearing yogurt over the affected area helps in cooling the skin and in balancing its pH, which further leads to faster healing of the burns. Apply yogurt as many times as needed on the sunburned skin. Wash off with tepid water after a few minutes.

Coconut oil for sunburn

Coconut oil is packed with fatty acids and vitamin E, which moisturizes your skin and helps to reduce the effects of sunburn. Moreover, vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that helps in reducing inflammation caused by sunburn. How to get rid of sunburn fast using coconut oil? Just apply extra virgin coconut oil on the sunburned skin after slightly warming it. Do this two or three times a day for excellent results and faster healing. Did you try coconut water?

Read more about benefits of coconut oil.

Onion

Applying onion juice on the affected area is another great way of curing sunburn. It helps in reducing the inflammation as well as in soothing the skin. The active components in onion such as quercetin and sulfur provide pain relieving effects and promote healing at a faster rate.

Honey

Honey is an amazing natural remedy that works for a long list of health and medical problems, including sunburns. It moisturizers your skin and its antibiotic properties prevent infection and further damage to the skin. Honey reduces inflammation and pain associated with sunburn. It contains an enzyme that helps in repairing damaged cells of the skin. To get relief from sunburn, apply a thin layer of honey on the affected area and leave it to dry on its own. This can be done two or three times a day for best results.

Turmeric and mustard oil

Applying a paste made with turmeric and mustard oil on the sunburned skin is found to be effective in providing great relief. Turmeric has natural antibiotic properties that help in treatment for sunburn while mustard oil provides relief from the pain. Apply the paste on the skin, leave it on for half an hour and wash it off with tepid water. Repeat this for two or three times daily to heal sunburn.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is another effective home remedy for relieving painful sunburns and healing the skin. It is also an antioxidant that scavenges the free radicals and prevents the damage of healthy cells and tissues. You can either ingest it or apply the oil on the affected area of the skin.

Banana peel

Banana peel contains a powerful antioxidant known as lutein, which helps in reducing the pain and inflammation associated with sunburns. Just place a banana peel over the sunburn rash and rub it slowly.

Epsom salt solution

Epsom salt has anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it an effective remedy for soothing the symptoms of sunburn. Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of Epsom salt and water and spray on the sunburned area.

Cucumber

Cucumbers have the ability to naturally hydrate and moisturize your skin, thus making them a great cure for sunburns. They also have powerful antioxidant properties that destroy the free radicals and protect the skin cells from the harmful effects of the sun. Apply cucumber paste, cucumber slices, or cucumber juice on the sunburned skin. It provides a cooling effect, also helps in reducing the itching, pain and inflammation and heals sunburn faster.

Strawberries

According to a study published in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, strawberries have been found to have the ability to protect the skin cells from the damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Strawberries contain tannin that helps in providing relief from the sting associated with sunburns. Mash a cup of ripened strawberries and apply the paste on the sunburned areas. Allow it to stay for a few minutes, after which wash off with fresh, tepid water.

Lettuce

Lettuce has pain relieving properties and hence is a wonderful remedy for treating sunburns. Boil the leaves in water and then make a paste. Apply this paste on the affected area. Lettuce not only helps in reducing the pain but also in promoting faster healing.

Shaving cream

Shaving cream contains menthol and other essential oils that act as natural cooling agents. Just apply the cream over the affected area and experience the soothing effect.

Other essential oils for sunburn

Olive Oil for sunburn is quite common and popular. Mix olive with little drops of tea tree oil or frankincense oil or lavender oil; and apply over the sunburn area. It will soothe sunburn area and provide relief.

The best way to prevent a sunburn is of course to avoid staying out in the sun for long hours. While some amount of sunshine is extremely healthy for your body, too much sun exposure could cause sunburn and other skin problems as mentioned previously. Fortunately there are many simple and effective natural home remedies that can provide relief from this condition. These home remedies for sunburns are easy to prepare, and are usually less expensive. But nothing can get rid of sunburn overnight. Be patient. In case of extreme sunburn, it is always advisable to consult a doctor.

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