Natural Remedies For Sunburns

The ultraviolet rays in sun are harmful to the skin, causing several skin problems including sunburn and sun poisoning and even skin cancer.

The sunburn causes skin redness and blistering which may be followed by pain, swelling and peeling.

The remedy of sunburns may be available right in your garden or kitchen. The turmeric, aloe Vera (Aloe Vera care), potatoes (how to grow potatoes), mint (how to grow mint), cucumbers (growing cucumbers in pots), turmeric (grow turmeric in pots), etc. make very effective and natural home remedies for your sunburns.

Blisters on back due to Sunburn

Sunburn Blisters. Severe damage due to harmful ultraviolet rays from sun.

Symptoms of Sunburn

The milder symptoms of sunburn such as red skin are usually temporary, severe sunburn can form blisters, fever, rash and nausea.

The frequent sunburns leave a permanent effect on the skin like age spots and wrinkles. The blisters can be very painful and itchy.
The symptoms of the sunburn can appear within 1 day after exposure to the sun.

Prevention of Sunburns

Remember, prevention is better than cure. Keep in mind the following points in summer.

1. Wear protective clothing like long sleeves, trousers, hat  sun glasses to protect yourself from harmful UV rays from sun.
2. Remain inside during 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, when the sun is at its strongest.
3. Apply a sunscreen about half an hour before going out.
4. Apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) preferably more than 30.
5. Use a sunscreen with  ingredients zinc oxide or titanium dioxide which block both ultraviolet A and B rays.

Many people are using sunscreen to make designs and patterns on their bodies before going into the sun so that severe sunburn creates the design in the areas where no sun screen has been applied. The people forget that the overexposure to ultraviolet light from the sun, artificial sunbeds and sunlamps can cause non-melanoma skin cancer.

Sunburn Remedies and Treatment

The following natural treatment of sunburn skin are useful when the skin has become red but not blistered cracked. You should protect your skin from sun while it is healing from the burn.

1. Ice Pack

Apply a ice pack or cold water pads on the burn.

2. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera for sunburn cure

Aloe Vera has unique properties that make it very useful in several skin products.
Split open an Aloe Vera leaf and take out its gel. Lightly rub on the sunburned skin area so that it penetrates into the skin. It can be used to heal the blisters.

3. Cucumber

Rub a slice of cucumber on the burned skin to get a cooling and soothing effect. The antioxidant and analgesic properties properties of cucumber will reduce redness, swelling and pain.

4. Potato Paste

Rub a slice of uncooked potato or a cotton ball dipped in potato juice on the burned skin to get a cooling and soothing effect. Or apply some mashed tomato mixed with crushed ice to get immediate relief. Potatoes are good at relieving pain, reducing inflammation and soothing scratches and burns.

5. Tea with Mint

1. Put a peppermint tea bag in hot water and apply with a cotton pad on the affected area to cool down the burning effect. Or you can make a tea using a normal green tea bag and some mint leaves.
2. The tannic acid in green tea will relieve pain and heal damaged skin.
3. Wash sunburned skin with green or black tea. You could soak some tea bags in warm water and place them over the affected area when they are still warm to relieve pain.

6. Turmeric For Sunburns

Turmeric for sunburn cure

Turmeric is a natural antiseptic. Make a paste of turmeric, barley and yogurt in equal proportions and apply on the burns to treat them.

7. Baking Soda

1. Baking soda can diminish the burning pain and lessen the redness of the burn quickly.
2. Add some baking soda to cold water to make a paste and apply with a cotton ball on the burns.

8. Milk Compress

A cold milk compress is one of the simplest and quickest to treat sunburn. The protein in the milk creates a layer on the skin to soothe and heal the skin.

9. Plain Yogurt

Plain yogurt contains probiotics and enzymes that help heal the skin faster.

10. Buttermilk

Take about 50 ml buttermilk and mix 10 ml tomato juice into it. Apply this on to the burns and leave for 30 minutes and then wash.

11. Apple Cider Vinegar

1. Take a cotton ball and dip in some apple cider vinegar and rub lightly on the sunburn.
2. You could dip a cotton pad in a solution of vinegar, ice and water to take the heat out and get relief from burns.
3. Make a 1:1 mixture of olive oil and vinegar and apply on the affected area of the skin. Wash after 30 minutes.

12. Lavender Oil

Add a few drops of lavender oil in water and apply on the skin. how to propagate lavender from cuttings

When to Consult a Doctor

You should go to a Doctor if

1. If any of the above home treatment does not improve your skin within a few days.
2. You have high fever.
3. There is a severe pain.