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Treating a Sunburn

by | Jul 25, 2024 | Self-care

If you’ve followed our posts, you already know we encourage people to get outside for some forest bathing, cultivating soft fascination, or simply taking a mindful walk.  So, we sincerely hope that you are getting out of the house to enjoy the great outdoors this summer, and we DEFINITELY hope you have managed to do so without getting a sunburn.  

This month, our “One Good Thing” feature offers up our favorite tip (truth be told, this time we’re including several) for relief – just in case you managed to spend a little more time in the sun than you had intended. 

Why Bother Doing Anything for my Sunburn? 

A burn happens when the skin is overexposed to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, causing redness, pain, swelling, and sometimes blistering. Treating your sunburn alleviates pain, reduces inflammation, and prevents further damage to your skin. 

What You Can Do After a Sunburn

Here are some effective ways to treat and promote healing if you got burned: 

  1. Cool it down with cool compresses: Applying cool compresses (a damp pillowcase or towel work in a pinch) or taking a cool bath (skip the soap) can help soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. Avoid using ice directly on the skin, as it can further damage the sunburned area. 
  2. Hydration: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, as getting burned can dehydrate the body and skin. Hydrated skin is better able to heal itself. 
  3. Aloe vera: Aloe vera is known for its soothing and healing properties. Apply aloe vera gel or lotion to the sunburned area to help reduce pain and inflammation.  Be sure the product you select is pure aloe and not a mix of other things that can be irritants. 
  4. Moisturize: Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated and prevent peeling. Look for products containing ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid. 
  5. Home remedies: purslane (stimulates collagen and cell repair), vinegar (make your own cooling body wash), baking soda (make a poltice or loose paste and spread on skin, even more ideas here).  
  6. Over-the-counter remedies: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce pain and inflammation. Topical hydrocortisone cream can also provide relief. 
  7. Avoid further sun exposure: Protect the skin from further UV exposure by staying indoors or covering up with light clothing, hats, and sunscreen. 
  8. Seek medical attention: If you experience a severe burn with blistering, fever, chills, or dizziness, seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms could indicate a more serious sunburn requiring medical treatment. 

Prevention is Key 

Remember that prevention is key when it comes to sunburn. Always apply sunscreen with a high SPF, seek shade during peak sun hours, and wear protective clothing to avoid sun damage. As we suggested in one of our posts, use an umbrella to ward off the sun. If you do get sunburned, follow these tips to treat it effectively and promote healing.    

 

References 

For even more detail, you might enjoy some of these articles: