You know the drill: To prevent sunburn, you have to apply and reapply sunscreen all day long if you want to keep your skin looking youthful and, more importantly, minimize your risk of skin cancer , such as basal and squamous cell carcinoma, as well as melanoma. Still, board-certified dermatologists say there are steps you can take to soothe your sunburn and get relief in the moment.
While prevention is key, treating sunburn with certain home remedies can help you feel better fast. Here, the simple sunburn cures that actually work. After a long day in the sun, the first thing you want to do is rinse off—but you should think twice before sudsing up.
Soaking in a bubble bath and using soap can dry out and irritate sunburned skin. A cool bath sans bubbles is a better option. Another sunburn cure: Add oatmeal to your bath.
Research shows colloidal oatmeal helps tamp down inflammation and reduces itching, says board-certified dermatologist Michael Schreiber, M. You can also simply grind up plain oats in your food processor and add to your tub. Mix the oatmeal treatment with cool bath water and soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
Afterward, gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Rubbing your skin to dry off will only irritate it further. Follow your urge to reach for something cold, but make sure to do it right. Wrap an ice pack in a damp cloth and hold it over the burn. This will absorb some of the heat from your skin, constrict blood vessels, and reduce swelling. Ice-cold water is also an option. Pour water and ice into a bowl, soak a cloth in the liquid, and place it over the burn. Repeat this process every few minutes as the cloth warms up.
Apply the compress several times a day for 10 to 15 minutes for quick relief, Dr. Schreiber says. Improvise, if necessary, says board-certified dermatologist Frederic Haberman, M. The tannic acid in green and black tea may help pull heat form a sunburn, while catechins an antioxidant compound repair skin damage, research shows.
Simply soak two tea bags in cool water and place them on top of closed eyes to decrease swelling and help relieve pain.
The aluminum acetate in the powder keeps skin from getting too dry or itchy. Hydrocortisone has anti-inflammatory properties, which means it will reduce redness and ease the pain of mild sunburns, says dermatologist Coyle S. Connolly, D. The antioxidants and other phytochemicals in these fruits and vegetables can protect the cells by quenching the high energy of these unstable radicals, so there is less chance for damage.
Blisters can serve as a natural bandage for healing raw skin underneath. Let them open on their own. When this happens, apply petroleum jelly two or three times a day to keep the wound moist, and cover it with a bandage. If you're unsure how severe your blisters are or have concerns about infection, check with your healthcare provider. Signs of infection include increased redness or pain and thick yellow discharge.
One blistering sunburn doubles your risk for developing melanoma later in life, so if you have a history of one or more blistering sunburns, make sure to tell your dermatologist and be diligent about having your skin checked each year. Sunburned skin is even more susceptible to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation than skin that has never or rarely been sunburned. Make sure to take extra precautions when going outdoors, including applying sunscreen and wearing sun-protective clothing.
Important: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Everyday Health. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. This can help ease the dryness. Use a moisturizer that contains aloe vera or soy to help soothe sunburned skin.
If a particular area feels especially uncomfortable, you may want to apply a hydrocortisone cream that you can buy without a prescription. Consider taking aspirin or ibuprofen to help reduce any swelling, redness and discomfort. Drink extra water. Drinking extra water when you are sunburned helps prevent dehydration. If your skin blisters, allow the blisters to heal. Blistering skin means you have a second-degree sunburn. You should not pop the blisters, as blisters form to help your skin heal and protect you from infection.
Take extra care to protect sunburned skin while it heals. Wear clothing that covers your skin when outdoors.
Tightly-woven fabrics work best. For questions about your sunburn or to learn how to better protect your skin from the sun, see a board-certified dermatologist.
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