No matter how hard we try to protect our skin from the sun, applying sunscreen and staying in shady places. The result of these activities every year is always the same – more or less advanced sunburns. Here are 10 proven home remedies to help.
The most common areas where sunburns occur are the face – especially the nose and the area around the edge of sunglasses, the décolletage, the shoulders, the back, the areas near the straps of the top of a swimsuit, the lower abdomen and the inner surface of the thighs. The symptoms that accompany this type of burn are primarily redness of the skin (known as erythema), pain, burning, swelling and sensitivity to touch. They are characteristic of light degree burns and here a variety of home remedies, tricks and treatments can bring us relief.
Cold compress
Burns should first of all be cooled, this will bring us the desired relief. The easiest way and the first treatment should be cold water or ice packs, and a cool shower for starters. Wet towels in cold water or wrap in them ice cubes/frozen food and apply to the burned area, if necessary, repeat this action several times.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a wonderful plant that we can use in our daily care and concern for our skin. It is also worth using when it comes to sunburns. It works perfectly as a moisturizer, cooling, soothing and accelerating skin regeneration. In addition, it has strong anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, it is an ideal remedy for burns. Cut the stem of an aloe vera plant close to the root, slit it lengthwise and apply to the irritated area, or scoop out the pulp with a teaspoon, put it in a bowl and mix with a little water and rub the resulting ointment on the burn.
Yogurt, kefir, buttermilk and curd
The dairy products listed above contain high levels of live bacteria cultures that draw heat out of the body, restore the skin’s pH, and moisturize, plus vitamins A, D, and E, which will regenerate damaged skin and create a protective coating on the body. To soothe irritation, apply the cooled product to gauze or a kitchen cloth and make a poultice on sunburned areas of skin.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties, reduces swelling and relieves pain. Soak them in water or milk and then drape them over the burned areas. Keep the compress on the skin for about 15 minutes. You can also prepare a cold bath and dissolve a few tablespoons of oat flour in water.
Apple cider vinegar
Contrary to appearances, a remedy that contains alcohol (spirit!) can have a soothing effect. However, do not apply it directly to the skin. Prepare a bath in lukewarm or cold water and add a glass of apple cider vinegar to it. The bath should last about 15 minutes. This will help soothe the inflamed skin and prevent the development of infection.
Honey
When we have a sore throat, we drink tea with honey. This is to relieve inflammation and moisturize the mucous membranes. We can do the same in case of sunburn. Rub honey on the irritated area and leave the compress on the skin for about 15 minutes. This will bring relief and prevent the development of inflammation. Afterwards, gently wash off the honey with a towel dampened with cold water.
Cucumber
Cucumbers are rich in water, antioxidants, and vitamin C, which makes them great for moisturizing and nourishing the skin. It is best to chill the vegetable in the refrigerator, cut into slices and apply them to the burned areas. Keep the poultice on your skin for at least 30 minutes.
Raw potato
The juice contained in raw potatoes has properties similar to atropine, making it effective in relieving pain, anti-inflammatory and preventing the appearance of blisters and accelerating the disappearance of those already formed. Make a poultice of sliced, peeled or mashed raw potatoes on the skin and keep it on the body for about 30 minutes. Alternatively, take a cold bath in which you dissolve a few tablespoons of potato flour.
Egg white
Raw egg white contains cystatin, which inhibits inflammation, and an enzyme called lysozyme, which has antibacterial and antiviral properties, among others. Proteins act as a natural antibiotic, speeding up wound healing and preventing infections. Carefully separate the egg white from the yolk and apply it to the irritated parts of your skin as it is or whip it into a foam and then make a compress out of it. After 15 minutes, rinse the body with cold water.
Calendula and mint compresses
Make an infusion of dried calendula flowers or brew calendula herbal tea. Chill the liquid in the refrigerator and then make a poultice on the burned parts of the body using soaked gauze. This plant has anti-inflammatory properties. You can do the same with mint, which has cooling properties. In this case, you can boil even raw mint leaves in a small amount of water and then cool the infusion and follow the above tips.
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Main photo: photoduets/ stock.adobe.com
