Sunburns are caused by overexposure of the skin to harmful UV rays emitted by the sun. Sunburns can occur whether it's sunny or cloudy. Up to 90 percent of the sun's rays go right through clouds down to the Earth's surface. If you are unfortunate enough to get burned, several fast-acting treatments can minimize your discomfort.
Types
One strongly recommended fast-acting form of relief is applying aloe vera or moisturizing cream to your fresh sunburn. These are topical treatments that require an application multiple times over a day's time. Another treatment option is a cold compress. You can place a damp towel or cloth packed with ice directly to your burn for 20 minutes, several times a day. One natural treatment involves steeping several green tea bags in a large pot of boiling water, letting the water cool in the fridge, then pouring the tea into a tub filled with cool water and bathing in it.
Considerations
While many of these treatments may alleviate pain, you have no guarantee that they will eliminate peeling. A sunburn peeling is the natural way for your body to eliminate the top layer of dead skin. Because your skin has already burned, no matter how well you treat it, the skin itself has still been damaged and will naturally be replaced by new, undamaged skin.
Effects
The most important consideration with fresh burns is to keep them moist. A study done in 2005 at the University of São Paulo in Brazil found that aloe vera is an effective tool for use in skin hydration. If you apply aloe vera or a cream with aloe vera regularly, your burn will be less likely to get itchy and develop blisters. If you choose to soak in a tea-filled tub, the tea extract might help prevent the sunburn from developing into skin cancer, according to Dr. Steven Bratman, an integrative physician and author of "The Natural Pharmacist."
Time Frame
In some cases, the amount of time it takes for you to feel relief from sunburn is instantaneous. The cooling sensation of aloe vera by itself can often reduce skin irritation, even if the skin itself has yet to begin healing. Taking a cool bath in tea water can also help you feel better immediately, especially if your burn isn't localized. While no studies specifically say how long it can take for treatment to begin working, it is recommended that aloe vera be applied between three and four times daily.
Warning
When shopping for treatment options, many creams use aloe vera as a key ingredient. If the sole purpose for the cream is to treat your sunburn, stay away from any products that include benzocaine. As opposed to relieving discomfort, some evidence shows that it might actually increase skin irritation, according to the Mayo Clinic. If your skin has already blistered and broken open, do not apply any topical treatments.
