Sunburn Treatment: 5 Top Remedies to Ease Your Pain and Irritation

Imagine stepping out of the house in scorching heat without using sunscreen. This sounds scary as you may be affected by sunburn. While you eagerly wait for summer so that you can enjoy the outdoors, make sure to protect yourself from sunburn. Just like winter hair fall is common due to dry weather, harmful UV rays of the sun during summer can affect your skin. This skin damage is called sunburn. UV rays from the sun, as well as artificial sources, can be responsible for sunburn. That time you have to follow home remedies for sunburn treatment. 

Sunburn can lead to inflammation and reddening in your outermost skin layers. In severe cases, you may find blisters on your skin and need to undergo blister treatment to stop any further skin damage. If you do not undergo proper sunburn treatment, it may even result in skin cancer. Depending on the severity of your sunburn, symptoms vary. For instance, in the case of first-degree sunburn, you may experience the following:

• Pain 
• Swelling
• Redness
• Blisters

However, more intense damage in the skin may lead to second-degree sunburn that includes: 

• Swelling and presence of blisters on a large area
• Skin turning extremely red
• Formation of white discoloration on the sunburn
• Pain

If you are wondering, how to heal sunburn at home, it’s very simple. To know about easy remedies for sunburn and how to protect your skin with them, read on.

Tips for sunburn treatment on face

What are the best remedies for sunburn?

We are all aware of the basics of sun safety, such as applying sunscreen regularly, wearing sun-protective clothes, and avoiding intense UV rays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Unfortunately, despite our best attempts, we can be sunburnt. Its symptoms include sore skin, redness, peeling, and even burning. Fortunately, there are techniques to alleviate pain and prevent long-term harm. Here are a few home cures for sunburn: 

Honey

Honey is more effective than certain antibiotic creams in speeding healing, decreasing infection, and lowering discomfort. However, babies under 12 months should avoid this treatment since accidental honey eating might put them at risk of getting baby botulism.

Hazel 

Apply this astringent on wet washcloths or cotton gauze and leave it on the skin for 20 minutes. Then, apply it three or four times daily (or as necessary) to lessen discomfort and irritation. 

Coconut Oil

It is advised to use organic, cold-pressed coconut oil to combat dryness and inflammation. Coconut oil can trap heat and aggravate symptoms, so you should only use it once the skin has cooled and the blistering has stopped. Apply the coconut oil generously as a natural sunburn treatment after your skin gets prepared, which might take a few days.

Corn starch

Itching and inflammation can be treated by soaking in a bathtub filled with corn starch-infused water. Alternatively, you may form a paste of this component and water, which you can apply to burnt skin.

Hydration

A sunburn draws fluid away from the rest of the body and the skin's surface. Therefore, it is crucial to consume lots of liquids to avoid dehydration. Consume fruits and vegetables rich in water, such as cucumbers, watermelon, and grapefruit.

Moisturizer

After cooling down, it's time to fight dryness. Doctors advise using a calming moisturizer without alcohol that contains vitamin E or aloe. Use a moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated throughout the day. 

Vinegar

pH balance gets restored by using cider vinegar. So you can pour one cup of cider vinegar into a bath to combat sunburn.

Cucumbers

This popular vegetable acts as a natural painkiller and antioxidant against sunburn. Let the cucumbers cool before mashing them in a blender, and apply them to the skin as a paste.

Best remedies for sunburn treatment

Cool down your skin with cold water or ice 

As you know, sunburn is the inflammation of your skin. One best remedy for sunburn is to apply ice or cold water on the inflamed area. If you are near a pool or a lake, jump into it to relieve yourself from the pain caused due to sunburn. However, ensure that pool does not contain chlorinated water as chlorine may worsen your skin inflammation.

If you are applying ice on the affected area, make sure that you do not place it directly on the sunburn. Since a sunburned skin is highly sensitive, applying ice directly may damage it further. A smart and safe way is to wrap ice in a damp cloth and place it on the burn. This helps in the absorption of heat from the skin and reduces your swelling. This is one of simplest sunburn treatment options you can try instantly!

Take an oatmeal and baking soda bath to reduce sunburn 

If you can see your skin peeling on the affected area, taking a bath with baking soda can provide relief. Add a few spoons of baking soda inside a bucket of cold water and take a bath. If you have a bathtub, you may soak yourself in it for at least 15-20 minutes. This can reduce sun damage. You may also add a cup of oats along with it to minimize irritation.  

Presence of oats in the bathwater helps retain the moisture of your skin and improves its texture.

Ensure that you do not scrub your skin while taking these baths or after them. This may worsen your rash and increase inflammation. This is an effective home remedy for sunburn that can give you quick relief from pain.

Apply aloe vera gel to soothe your skin 

Be it any skin condition like burns or wounds, applying aloe vera gel helps in the healing process. Apart from sunburn treatment, you can use this gel to treat stomach problems as well. A compound called aloin present in aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory properties [1]. This gel also helps moisturize your skin and reduce its peeling, which is common during sunburn. Break a chunky part of the plant and rub its gel directly on your skin to get a soothing relief from sunburn.

Reduce sunburn irritation with freshly brewed tea 

Whether it is black, green or chamomile tea, applying it directly on the affected area can ease your irritation. Tannic acid present in black and green tea helps reduce heat on your sunburn [2]. The presence of antioxidants in tea helps in skin repair. First, allow the freshly brewed tea to col down. Then apply tea on the affected part using a fresh clean cloth.

Sunburn treatment with hydrocortisone cream 

This is a corticosteroid that can heal swelling, itchiness and other types of skin irritations. You may apply it on the affected sunburn area. This helps reduce your pain and swelling. Make sure to apply a small amount on the area thrice or four times in a day to see effective results.

When should we seek professional help for Sunburn?

Ideally, sunburns heal in three to five days. Wear loose-fitting clothing, avoid popping blisters (which can result in infection), and avoid the sun until the condition has healed, in addition to the remedies mentioned above. Although many individuals choose natural sunburn cures, some of the natural remedies for sunburn are as follows:

• The first thing to do while treating a sunburn is to cool the skin. To avoid rubbing your skin, gently pat yourself dry, but leave some water on your skin
• Apply a calming, alcohol-free moisturizer with aloe or vitamin E. To keep the skin hydrated throughout the day, use a moisturizer
• You can add about a cup of cold milk to a chilly bath and soak in it, or you can make a cold compress by dipping a towel in chilled milk and applying it directly to burnt regions
• A cold compress can also be used to lessen heat, discomfort, and swelling
• To treat sunburn symptoms, apply a washcloth or cotton gauze soaked in brewed tea, such as chamomile or black tea, to the affected area

Conclusion

While you can follow these easy home remedies to treat sunburn, make sure to stay hydrated and wear comfortable and loose clothing. Be covered when you step out of the house during hot summers. In case your symptoms do not subside, consult a doctor without delay. Connect to top dermatologists on Bajaj Finserv Health via doctor consultation and address your concerns.

Be it sunburn treatment or for contact dermatitis treatment, the team of renowned specialists will ensure to provide best medical care. You can also check out comprehensive Bajaj Health Insurance Plans with numerous features. Bajaj Health Insurance Policies are affordable and cover illness and wellness conditions.