After spending a long day relaxing outside, the last thing you want to have is a sunburn. A sunburn is caused by UV rays from the sun hitting exposed skin and causing mild burns (rarely will the sun cause severe burning, but should it do that, go see a doctor immediately). Luckily, there are several ways to treat sunburn in the comfort of your own home.
Compresses
Many times, sunburn is limited to the part of your skin that was exposed. Since this area can be small, a compress can be used to soothe and help heal the burn. The most basic compress you can use is a simple ice pack. Just wrap a damp cloth in ice and gently apply it to the burn. Another option is to mix skim milk with water and add the ice cubes, as milk protein is soothing and works great in a compress. You can also use oatmeal water in your compress as oatmeal also soothes and heals the skin. If the skin is itchy, you may want to try mixing some aluminum acetate (which can be found in a pharmacy) with water and compress with that. The acetate will keep the skin moist and reduce itching.
Soaking
For larger burns (i.e., full body burns one would get from sunbathing), you may need to soak your entire body in a tub for some relief. There are various things you can soak with to help the healing process. One of these is vinegar. Just mix one cup of white vinegar in a tub of cool water. You can also use Aveeno powder, which is made from oatmeal, in your tub. Finally, pour some baking powder into a tub of tepid water and soak for 15 minutes. Do not towel off so you can let this mixture air dry on your skin.
Moisturizing
It is extremely important that you moisturize your skin after a burn. You should moisturize immediately after using a compress or soaking in a tub as those actions, while making the skin feel better, will ultimately dry out the area. Try to use a cool moisturizer. For the best results, moisturize with hydrocortisone or aloe. Both of these have healing properties which help repair the skin.
Body
One of the best ways to combat a burn is to take care of your body. After you are burned, make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated. Also make sure you are eating a balanced diet as vitamins and nutrients in food will help the skin regenerate (but don't eat too heavily). Finally, sleep is the best remedy for healing a burn so make sure you get a good night's sleep after a sunburn.
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