Sunburn

When you get overexposed to UV light from the sun or other sources, such as tanning beds, you will find yourself with sunburn.  How quickly you get sunburned depends upon how much melanin or skin pigment you have.  For lighter skinned people, exposure to the sun for 15 minutes or more can cause sunburn, while others may be able to stand out in the sun for hours without getting burned.

If overexposed to the sun, you may not notice the effects for several hours.  Most often, people find themselves in pain within six hours of being in the sun.  The pain, depending upon, how badly the sun has burned the skin, can last for several days.

Sunburns can cause the skin to become very red and if it is severe sunburn, blisters may appear on the affected areas.  You may also notice the skin has become tight.  This is due to swelling and if severe, you may also experience a fever.  Within a few days of getting sunburned, you will generally find the skin that was burned will begin to peel away.

If you have been overexposed to UV light, you increase your chances of getting skin cancer.  It is best to either avoid the sun or wear protective sunscreen to block the harmful rays.  However, if you find yourself suffering from sunburn, there are several home remedies and natural cures that you can use to get rid of the pain.

Home Remedies for Sunburn:

Cool Shower:

Taking a cool shower is one of the most common natural cures for relieving pain of a sunburn.  However, make sure your shower is not too cold and not too warm so not to cause more discomfort.

Apple Cider Vinegar Rubdown:

Another home remedy that is often recommended for a natural cure and works wonderful for diminishing the sting of the sunburn is an apple cider vinegar rubdown.  Uses a soft cloth soaked in vinegar and apply it gently to the affected areas.  Apply as needed to relieve the pain.  While this may be one of the smelliest home remedies, you’ll love the coolness the vinegar will provide.

Aloe:

Aloe is a natural cure for sunburn that has been used for years.  Take the leaves of an aloe plant and squeeze the aloe juice.  Apply this directly to the sunburned areas and you’ll find the pain is alleviated almost immediately.  You can also take cut the leaves off, refrigerate them until cool and after cutting them open, apply them to the sunburn.

Milk Compress:

Many people prefer this home remedy over the vinegar rubdown as the smell is much better.  Simply take 1 cup of milk and mix with 4 cups of water with some ice cubes.  Use this as a compress to relieve the pain.