How to Treat Sunburn

Dealing with sunburn can be more challenging than preventing it. However, half of people aged 18 to 29 admit to experiencing sunburn at least once a year. All types of sunburn cause damage to your skin. The following methods will help you address and treat sunburn effectively.

As soon as you feel your skin start to burn, get out of the sun immediately. It's best to find a sheltered area or seek the nearest shaded spot.

• Your skin can still be burned by the sun even if you’re under a large umbrella made of thick fabric.
• Similarly, the sun’s rays can still affect your skin even in the shade because UV radiation can penetrate through clouds and tree leaves.

Take a cool shower to soothe your skin. The water will help cool down your skin and alleviate the burn. Avoid using soap, as it can irritate and cause swelling, dryness, and discomfort. Afterward, let your skin air dry because rubbing it with a towel could cause abrasions, which will be painful.

• If you must use a towel, gently pat the skin instead of rubbing it.

Apply aloe vera to the burned area to moisturize and cool the skin. Repeating this regularly will help reduce dryness and peeling.

• Opt for aloe vera gel or liquid that contains vitamin C and vitamin E, as they help repair skin damage.
• Avoid products with high oil or alcohol content.
• If you have an aloe vera plant, you can extract the gel directly from the leaf. Simply cut the leaf, slice it thinly, squeeze out the gel, and apply it to the burn.
• Gel taken directly from the aloe vera plant is thick, pure, and very effective.

Drink plenty of water. Prolonged exposure to the sun and heat can dehydrate your body, and burns can also draw moisture from your skin. Remember to stay hydrated in the following days.

Cool the burn. Wrap a few ice cubes or a cold pack in a damp cloth. Then, gently apply the cloth to the sunburned area for about 15-20 minutes, repeating multiple times throughout the day.

• Be cautious not to place ice directly on your skin as it could cause a cold burn and worsen the injury.

Consider taking anti-inflammatory medication like Ibuprofen (Advil). Ibuprofen helps reduce swelling and redness and can prevent long-term skin damage. If you choose this medication, make sure to take it within the next 48 hours.

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can also alleviate pain from the burn, but it doesn’t offer the same benefits as Ibuprofen.

Wear loose clothing. Avoid wearing clothes made from stiff fabrics or materials that may irritate your skin. Cotton clothes are generally the best choice for most people.

Close the curtains and keep your space cool. Use air conditioning if available. If you don’t have air conditioning, a fan can be helpful to reduce your body temperature. Aim to direct the airflow toward the burn.

• Your basement is an ideal place for burn recovery, as it’s cool and mostly shielded from the sun’s heat.

Soak a few bags of black tea in hot water, then let the water cool (you can add ice cubes to the tea if needed). Once cool, remove the tea bags and apply them directly to the burn. The compounds in the tea leaves have anti-inflammatory properties. You can also immerse the burn area in cold tea.

• The compounds in tea also act as an astringent. Studies show that these compounds may speed up the healing process and help prevent infection.

Place a jar of plain yogurt into a bowl and mix it with 4 cups of water. Soak a cloth in this mixture and apply it to sunburned areas for 15-20 minutes. Repeat the process every 2-4 hours.

• Plain yogurt contains beneficial bacteria and enzymes that help the skin recover from sunburn more quickly.
• Make sure the yogurt you use is plain, as flavored varieties with vanilla or high sugar content contain fewer beneficial bacteria.

Dissolve a cup of baking soda in a bathtub filled with cool water, and soak in it without rinsing off. Let the soda solution dry directly on your skin.

• Baking soda acts as both an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, which can reduce swelling and help prevent infection in your wounds.

Pour water over a fine mesh strainer containing oatmeal powder to extract the oatmeal water. Discard the residue, then soak a cloth in the oatmeal water and apply it to your sunburn every 2-4 hours.

• Oatmeal contains saponins that cleanse the skin and help retain moisture, promoting healing for sunburned skin.

• Avoid makeup and cosmetics containing oils for the next few days.
• Keep aloe vera gel in the fridge to soothe discomfort until the sunburn heals.
• Avoid acne treatments, as they can worsen the redness of the burn.
• Ensure that the gels or liquids you apply don't contain alcohol, as alcohol can dry out your skin.
• Do not use petroleum-based ointments or products like Vaseline, as they clog pores and prevent heat from escaping the body, possibly causing infection.
• When dealing with sunburn, always wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, or cover up with a hat and long sleeves when outdoors.
• If blisters form, do not pop them and avoid using any disinfectants on the burn and surrounding skin.

• If the blisters are large or become infected, consult a dermatologist immediately.
• In some cases, you may need more advanced medical care. If you develop symptoms like fever or flu-like feelings, it could indicate heatstroke, which is a more serious condition.