Soothe the Sting of Sunburn

Most of us will spend our summer vacation in the sun. Whether you are barbecuing in your backyard with family and friends or at the park oohing and aahing at the beauty of a spectacular beach, being outside is pretty much a must. But, while we are all enjoying the summer today, we may pay for it tomorrow by suffering the painful effects of sunburn.

The dreaded sunburn comes from overexposure to the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. The uncomfortable symptoms of sunburn can include redness, pain and even blisters. If you become one of the millions of people who will fall victim to this stinging problem, there are various remedies you can use that will help soothe the pain.

If you plan on spending your day under the blazing rays of the sun, make sure to have an Aloe Very plant handy. Use the natural sap that is inside the leaf and spread it over the effected area. The gel contained inside the plant helps soothe the burn and moisturizes and protects the skin. A nice cool bath is also helpful in alleviating the painful effects of sunburn. If you do try this one, make sure not to use soap because it inhibits the skin’s naturally occurring oils, which will help heal your skin. If your burn begins to peel, whatever you do, don’t scratch. I know this is a tough one; I used to love to scratch and peel away the remnants of a burn, but doing this can cause further damage and irritation to the effected area. If the itching becomes too much for you, Calamine lotion works well, as it helps stop that nagging, itchy feeling. And of course, always, always use a good SPF lotion whenever you are outdoors. Even when the sun isn’t out, the UV rays are beating down on you and drying out your skin. These UV rays will even cut through the clouds on an overcast day, so it is vital that you always have some type of sun protection on. A good rule of thumb is to get an SPF of no less than 15, and for those of you with fair skin, a higher SPF is required.

Fun in the sun doesn’t have to mean pay for play. By being careful, smart and educated, you can help soothe the sting of those burning rays!