If you've recently spent time in the sun, you may be left with a red, itchy and irritated burn that lasts for days. By wearing sunscreen with a high SPF and applying it often, you can avoid getting a sunburn and lessen your risk of developing a serious skin condition from sun exposure, such as skin cancer.
Types
Natural remedies for relief from an itchy sunburn include oatmeal baths, cold compresses, cold baths and showers and milk. Applying cooling skin treatments to the skin will help draw heat out of the sunburn, moisturize dry, irritated skin and help reduce pain and discomfort, says the Mayo Clinic. Use home remedies as often as necessary to help the skin heal and prevent itching. Wear cotton gloves to bed if you are unable to stop from scratching your skin while sleeping.
Significance
Soaking in a cool bath with a handful of colloidal oatmeal added to the water will help reduce itching and cool down the sunburn, says the Mayo Clinic. After showering, preparing a solution of 1 cup milk and 4 cups water, soaking a washcloth in the solution and applying the washcloth to the skin may help cool it down and soothe the burning and itchiness of the sunburn, says Dr. Michael Schreiber, M.D., senior clinical lecturer in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson.
Considerations
Immediately after bathing or soaking the skin with compresses, apply a moisturizer to prevent skin from peeling and feeling even more dry, suggests Rodney Basler, M.D., dermatologist and assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Lincoln. Apply a bath oil immediately after bathing, then smooth a moisturizer on top of it, suggests Dr. Basler.
Misconceptions
Although blisters on a sunburn may be painful and irritating, don't pop them for relief. Instead of popping blisters, take cool baths and wash your skin with only a very mild soap. Harsh soaps will cause additional skin irritation and make blisters even more itchy and painful. If it is absolutely necessary to drain a blister, use a sterilized needle to carefully pierce the skin.
Warning
A sunburn may be serious if it is accompanied by symptoms of fever, nausea, chills, headache, confusion, dehydration, feeling faint, swelling of the face or severe blisters. See a doctor to determine the severity of the sunburn and take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to lower a fever, recommends the Mayo Clinic. Use caution when giving aspirin to teenagers or children. Go to the emergency room if the sunburn or symptoms are particularly severe.
