IN NEED OF A GOOD SUNBURN CURE?

If you are anything like me, you’ll have a good sunburn cure ready ahead of time. Why? Even if you have been living under a rock for the last few years, I’m sure you are still aware of the necessity of protection from the sun.

No more basking in the sun lathered in baby oil on those long summer afternoons (okay I never did that, I step outside and I’m a cherry tomato but I know others who did). I can’t even drive to the grocery store and home on a nice spring day without catching some pink on my arm.

Today the effects of sun exposure are a common concern because of the decline in the earth's ozone layer. The ozone's layer is what protects us from harmful UV rays which damage our skin and cause many diseases like skin cancer.

Did you know just one severe sunburn can double your chances of malignant melanoma later in life, not to mention greater wrinkling at a premature age?

The pain of sunburn may last up to a week but will be worst between six and forty-eight hours after sun exposure. Injured layers of skin will peel away in three to ten days but the damage will remain.

With that in mind, the best natural cure is prevention! These days sun exposure is particularly hazardous because of the thinning of the ozone layer which allows more of the sun’s harmful rays to shine through. Avoid direct sunlight as much as possible, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM and always wear a sunscreen with a SPF (sunscreen protection factor) of at least 15. If you’re in and out of water, remember to reapply each time.

Of course, we all know to protect ourselves but sometimes you get caught – you forget to reapply sunscreen after a certain amount of time, or you miss a spot, or you’re in a different geographical location and you fry just peeking out through the hotel curtains. Then you’re on the lookout for some natural health cures to ease the pain.

Whatever the case may be, at some point you may be in need of a sunburn cure. I’ve compiled some of the better suggestions that I have found. DO NOT DO WHAT MY GRANDMA TOLD ME TO. Never apply ointments, salves, petroleum or greasy, buttery substances to a burn. This will seal in the heat, clog pores and therefore deepen the burn and the pain. THANKS GRANDMA!! (Then again, Grandma baked a cheesecake with onion flavored cream cheese – I should have known to be leery!)

In sunburn cases where dizziness, fever, chills, nausea, headaches, swelling, purple blotches, excessive itching, visual difficulties, or fluid filled blisters are experienced, the treatment of a doctor should be sought.

Mild sunburns, though quite painful, can be treated at home. A number of home remedies may help soothe burned skin. Some of these are everyday household items and others are some herb supplements you may already have or wish to purchase.

Natural Sunburn Cures

ALOE VERA GEL - This seems to top the list for all-time favourite sunburn cure. Spread on fresh (from the leaves of the aloe plant) or products containing fresh aloe. How do you know if it’s fresh? Fresh products have an expiration date. Aloe soothes with anti-inflammatory plant sterols.

Aloe also contains tissue regenerative substances like zinc.

VINEGAR – Plain white vinegar is a popular sunburn cure. Although there is no evidence behind this folk remedy, many people who try it say it helps to relieve pain when applied to the skin.

Vinegar can be applied as a compress. Soak clean towels in a half water, half vinegar solution. Wring the towels and apply on the affected areas, avoiding contact with broken skin and the eye area.

Another option is to fill a clean spray bottle with the half vinegar, half water solution and spritz it onto skin.

STAY HYDRATED -It is important to drink plenty of fluids, because we lose more water when we're out in the heat and the sun. Dehydration can cause headaches and fatigue.

COMFREY – Contains allantoin which is incredibly skin cell regenerative.

CALENDULA – Anti-inflammatory in action, this helps decrease the redness.

ST. JOHN’S WORT – Apply an extract or infused oil topically to heal the burned skin.

GREEN OR BLACK TEA – Use cooled tea bags to relieve sunburned eyelids. If you need full body relief, take a bath is steeped tea. Use anywhere from 5 – 10 teabags.

APPLE CIDER BATHS – Another of my favourite sunburn cures, add a cup of apple cider vinegar to a lukewarm tub and soak.

FLAXSEED OIL – Taken orally. Essential fatty acids will nurture the nerve cells (pain receptors) and act as an anti-inflammatory to decrease sunburn pain. Flaxseed oil also helps keep skin supple and flexible.

VITAMIN C – Necessary for collagen production. Use both topically and orally.

JUST ADD MILK - Dip some gauze into milk and apply it to your sunburned skin. The milk should be about room temperature or slightly cooler but not refrigerator-cold.

Keep this milk compress on the burn for 20 minutes or so, and repeat every two to four hours. Since milk can leave skin smelling "sour," be sure to rinse yourself off with cool water afterward.

VEGGIE WATER - Boil some lettuce in water, then strain it and let the liquid cool for a few hours in the refrigerator before applying it to your skin with cotton balls.

OATMEAL - If you find the smell of vinegar or milk too intense, you can wrap dry oatmeal in some gauze or cheesecloth and run cool water through it. Wring out the excess water and apply the cloth for 20 minutes every two to four hours.

CUCUMBER SLICES - Place peeled, thinly sliced cucumbers directly on sunburn. Remove when cucumbers are warm. Cucumber slices are especially good for delicate skin, for example the face and neck.

Sunburns are dangerous to everyone but especially young children. Always ensure children are well protected from the sun.

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