How to Get Rid of Sunburn

The energy of the UV rays accumulates in the skin, as long as it remains exposed to the sun. If the skin is exposed to the sun for a short time, it will cause skin tanning. On longer exposure, it leads to burning of the skin, which we call sunburn.

There are a few effective and easy home remedies that will help you get rid of sunburn. You can go through the list below and choose the option(s) that seems to be the most feasible to you.

■ Soak a cloth in cold whole milk and apply it to the burned skin. Leave the cloth over the skin for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then walk into a cold shower and let the water run over the affected area.

■ Soak around 10 to 15 black tea bags in a wide container till the water is almost black. Then soak a cloth into the liquid and slowly dab it onto the sunburned skin. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. When the cloth feels dried up, re-soak it into the container and reapply. You can apply this remedy at night before going to bed. Leave the cloth overnight to notice relief in the morning.

■ Apply aloe vera gel to the sunburned area. It will help soothe the burning sensation and also get rid of the pain and itch. You can apply skin moisteners and after-sun lotions containing aloe vera on a daily basis for effective results.

■ Apply some raw tomatoes on the affected region. This might be a bit painful, but it works wonders on the skin.

■ Drink plenty of water daily and eat a healthy diet. Drink about 8 glasses of water every day to keep your body well hydrated so that the sunburn may heal quickly.

■ Wear loose cotton clothes that do not irritate the skin furthermore. Cotton is the best fabric in this case, as it doesn't stick to your body, keeping your mind off the irritation and pain caused by sunburn.

■ Soak a cloth in a mixture of one part vinegar and two parts water. Dab it gently on the sunburned skin. Never rub the cloth on your skin as it will irritate the area and worsen the pain.

If the sunburn has turned itchy, the following tips will help you get rid of the extreme discomfort caused. Have a look.

■ Take a cold shower sans the soap. Stay in the shower for about 10 minutes and not more than that. Use a soft, cotton towel to dry your skin. Do not rub the towel, just dab it lightly to avoid aggregating the itch and pain.

■ Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and water, and spray it on the area. Let the mixture drip off, do not try to rub it. If you have severe sunburn, then reapply the solution after 5 minutes. This remedy helps get rid of the pain, itch, and stinging sensation caused due to extreme sun exposure.

■ Aloe vera will keep the skin moisturized and help you get rid of the problematic symptoms.

■ Brew some green tree and keep it in the refrigerator. Then soak a cloth in the chilled mixture and apply it on the skin. This will help relieve the uneasiness.

■ Application of fresh buttermilk helps soothe the skin and reduce the itching. Leave it on your skin till it dries, to alleviate the pain.

■ Apply cucumber juice to the area. It will help reduce the itchiness.

You need to take precautions before moving out in the sun. Wear sunscreens with SPF not less than 8. If you are going to spend a day on the beach, be sure to reapply the sunscreen every 30 to 45 minutes. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes, and wear a wide-brimmed hat for protecting your scalp, face, and neck.

Disclaimer: Consult your healthcare provider before following any of the remedies listed before. Not all home remedies may have the same impact on everyone.