Introduction to Home Remedies for Sunburn
The sun. People have worshiped it for thousands of years. But only in the last century have people worshiped the sun by baking themselves to a golden tan, which often masks an angry red burn.
But the sun can do much more damage than simply give you a painful sunburn. Dermatologists (skin doctors) say that prolonged exposure to sunlight causes brown spots; red, scaly spots; drying and wrinkling; and, worst of all, skin cancer.
But how do you avoid the sun? That's tricky. Sometimes, your day at the beach may turn out to be much more sunburned than sand-filled. If you find yourself a bit burned, there are a number of simple home remedies to treat your skin to relieve some of the discomfort. In this article, we'll discuss those sunburn home remedies and also touch on some ways to minimize sun exposure so you can spend time outdoors safely. First, we'll discuss how the sun and your skin interact.
Although few things can penetrate the skin's outer layer (stratum corneum), the sun's ultraviolet rays easily pass through this protective envelope and damage the cells and structures beneath. Ultraviolet rays that reach the Earth's surface come in two varieties: ultraviolet A (UVA), the so-called "tanning rays," which do not cause sunburn (except at very high doses), and ultraviolet B (UVB), the "burning rays." UVA rays can pass through window glass in cars, houses, and offices, while UVB cannot. But both types penetrate the outer layer of the skin, cause damage, and contribute to the development of skin cancer.
Ultraviolet rays that pass through the stratum corneum cause pigment-producing cells called melanocytes to produce brown pigment (melanin). This is the skin's effort to protect itself from the invading rays and prevent further damage to skin structures, and it's how and why a "tan" develops.
How much pigment the melanocytes can produce and how quickly they can produce it depends largely on genetics. Dark-skinned people more readily produce melanin, while light-skinned individuals, especially those of Northern European ancestry and Asians, don't produce it well or produce it in blotches that appear as freckles. These people can't tan no matter how hard they try and tend to be "quick fryers," readily burning even with mild sun exposure.
If your skin doesn't produce the protective melanin pigment well or if you're exposed to the sun before enough pigment can be manufactured and dispersed, the ultraviolet rays kill skin cells. Even a mild sunburn that produces only a little redness destroys the top layer of your skin, just as if you had seared it with a hot iron.
Damage to skin cells is more prevalent among fair-skinned people, and the immediate effect is a sunburn. Over time, the effects can be much more serious -- blotchy brown spots and even skin cancer.
 You can still have "fun in the sun" while avoiding damage to your skin. Just be sure to apply -- and reapply -- sunscreen, especially if you're in and out of the water. |
Ultraviolet light can even damage the dermis, the layer that gives your skin its shape, texture, strength, and elasticity. Sunlight breaks down the thick, strong tissue structure of the dermis, rendering it weak, thin, and less elastic and making it appear wrinkled and saggy.
What makes sunburn different from, say, a household iron burn? The time factor. A sunburn is not immediately apparent. By the time the skin starts to become red, the damage has been done. Pain isn't always instantly noticeable, either. You may feel glowing after two hours sitting poolside without sun protection. But just wait awhile. You'll change your tune (not to mention color) when the pain sets in, typically 6 to 48 hours after sun exposure. Like household burns, sunburns are summed up by degree. Mild sunburns are deep pink, punctuated by a hot, burning sensation. Moderate sunburns are red, clothing lines are prominent, and the skin itches and stings. Severe sunburns result in bright red skin, blisters, fever, chills, and nausea.
Indeed, you'd probably never expose yourself to a sunburn again if you could see the dramatic damage to your skin under a microscope -- cells are shriveled and dead; formerly thick, red bundles of connective tissue have been ground into a gray smudge; thin-walled, superficial blood vessels are dilated and may be leaking fluid; and DNA sequences, the "software" that tells the skin how to repair and replicate itself, are damaged, causing the skin to produce abnormal precancerous cells and, in some cases, cancerous cells.
Being burned to a crisp can lead to serious consequences later in life. In fact, one severe, blistering sunburn during childhood doubles your chances of developing malignant melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, or other types of skin cancer such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. If cancer doesn't frighten you, then the specter of developing premature wrinkling and age spots just might.Despite these increasingly well-known dangers of sun exposure, many of us, on occasion, get lazy when it comes to protecting our skin or just can't resist the myth that getting some color from the sun makes us look healthier.
If you've overexposed your skin to the sun and end up with a sunburn, the home remedies in the following sections can make you a bit more comfortable until Mother Nature can heal the burn. Keep in mind, though, that these remedies cannot reverse the very real damage caused by unprotected exposure to the sun's rays.
For more information about skin issues, visit the following sections:
- To see all of our home remedies and the conditions they treat, go to our main Home Remedies page.
- To learn about tanning and sunburns and the skin, visit How Sunburn and Sun Tans Work.
- Wondering how to treat dry skin? Read the Home Remedies for Dry Skin section.
- For tips on treating oily skin, visit Home Remedies for Oily Skin.
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
Home Remedy Treatments for Sunburn
About one million Americans were diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in 2005. In fact, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the disease makes up one in three cancers diagnosed in this country. Fortunately, there is plenty you can do to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun. The following home remedies can help keep your sun exposure to a safe minimum.Cover up. The Skin Cancer Foundation says that hats and clothing made of dark, tightly woven materials absorb ultraviolet light better than cotton fabrics in lighter shades. Dry fabrics offer more protection than wet ones.
Spread on sunscreen. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Be sure to spread it on thick enough: Applying only a thin coating of a sunscreen can reduce the effectiveness of the product by as much as 50 percent. Waterproof sunscreen is best if you'll be swimming.
Apply early and often. Apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before exposure to allow the skin to absorb it. And reapply it every two hours -- more often if you're sweating or getting wet. If you have fair skin, you might even want to begin preparing for sun exposure the night before by putting on a layer of sunscreen before bed; this will allow it to be thoroughly absorbed into the skin's outer layer. Then apply the usual coat of sunscreen the next day, about a half hour before you go outside.
Protect your ears. Too often, people forget to protect sensitive spots like the tops of the ears, the hairline, the "V" of the chest, the nose, and the hands. The Skin Cancer Foundation says 80 percent of skin cancers occur on the head, neck, and hands. The Foundation therefore recommends that you wear a hat made of a tightly woven fabric such as canvas rather than one of straw and that you wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 on your hands and other exposed areas.
Mind the nose and feet. Protruding horizontal surfaces like the nose present special sun protection problems. Lifeguards often wear zinc oxide paste on their nose, but it only provides an SPF of about seven. Instead, apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, let it soak in a few minutes, and then, for maximum protection, apply the zinc oxide paste. And if you'll be going shoeless, you'd be wise to use the same level of protection on the tops of your feet.
Protect yourself from reflected light. Keep in mind that even umbrellas or shade trees provide only moderate protection from ultraviolet light, and they don't protect you from rays reflected off sand, snow, concrete, and many other surfaces. Ultraviolet light isn't reflected by water, but it can easily penetrate water, so being in the water doesn't protect you, either. Be careful to protect surfaces, such as the under part of the chin, that are especially vulnerable to reflected light.
Be careful between
Take care on cool, cloudy days. Damaging rays aren't inhibited by clouds, and you can still get burned because ultraviolet light can penetrate cloud cover. Take precautions even when the sun isn't shining brightly.
Don't let the snow fool you. During the winter months, many winter recreationists, such as snow skiers, learn the hard way that high altitudes (which have little atmosphere to filter out the sun's rays), blustery winds, and white snow can be a painful combination. Cover up with appropriate clothing and a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Don't forget to wear sunglasses, too, to avoid "sunburning" your eyes.
Don't leave out your lips. The sun can burn the sensitive skin on the lips just as easily as it fires the rest of your body. At worst, the damage can lead to skin cancer. Use a lip balm with an SPF of at least 15 and reapply often.
Avoid sunbathing. Doctors can't say it enough: There is no such thing as a "healthy tan." But while sunbathing is a no-no for everyone, it's an especially bad idea for fair-skinned people. Many of them can't tan anyway and only risk getting a serious burn.
If you refuse to give up sunbathing, take it slowly and let your skin gradually build up melanin to provide some protection. And don't use tanning oils, which enhance the effects of ultraviolet rays and worsen a burn. You may as well be slathering yourself with cooking oil.
 If you just can't stay out of the sun, be sure to protect yourself with sunscreen. And don't forget those sensitive spots like the tips of ears, the hairline, and the hands. |
Watch for photosensitivity. Some drugs, such as tetracycline and diuretics, can make your skin extra sensitive to sun exposure and increase the risk of sunburn. Some herbal medicines, such as
Stay out of tanning booths. In search of "safe" tanning, many people resort to tanning booths or tanning beds. While tanning companies will tell you their light machines produce only UVA radiation, the nonburning type, UVA rays are far from safe. In fact, UVA rays penetrate the skin even deeper than UVB rays do. Over time, exposure to UVA rays can make skin dry and wrinkled and increase the risk of skin cancer.
As you can see, protecting your skin from sunburn isn't just to avoid discomfort. Too much sun exposure can contribute to dry, wrinkly skin, brown spots, and, worst of all, skin cancer. In the next section, we'll discuss how to treat sunburn discomfort with home remedies -- but unfortunately, there are no home remedies to cure the damage from sunburn, so always be careful when in the sun.
For more information about skin issues, visit the following sections:
- To see all of our home remedies and the conditions they treat, go to our main Home Remedies page.
- To learn about tanning and sunburns and the skin, visit How Sunburn and Sun Tans Work.
- Wondering how to treat dry skin? Read the Home Remedies for Dry Skin section.
- For tips on treating oily skin, visit Home Remedies for Oily Skin.
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
Natural Home Remedies for Sunburn
If you do find yourself sunburned, never fear: There are natural home remedies that can relieve the itching, burning sensation. The following are some ways to tame sunburn, using simple kitchen items and things commonly found around the house.Home Remedies from the Cupboard
Bathe in baking soda. Adding a few heaping tablespoons of baking soda to cool bath water makes a sunburn-soothing remedy. Just keep your soaking time down to 15 to 20 minutes. If you soak any longer, you risk drying out your already lizard-like skin. When you've emerged from the bath, resist the urge to towel off. Instead air-dry, and don't wipe the baking soda off.
Pat down with potatoes. The plain old potato makes for a wonderful pain reliever. It's a time-tested technique known throughout the world. Take two washed potatoes, cut them into small chunks, and place them in a blender or food processor. Blend or process until the potatoes are in liquid form. Add water if they look dry. Pat the burned areas with the pulverized potatoes. Wait until the potatoes dry, then take a cool shower. Another less messy method is to apply the mash to a clean gauze and place on the burn. Change the dressing every hour. Continue applying several times a day for a few days until the pain is relieved.
 ©2007 Publications International, Ltd. Liquified potatoes applied to sunburned areas then showered off are a simple home remedy that can help relieve sunburn pain. |
Ease chafing with cornstarch. Sunburns often strike where skin meets bathing suit. Sensitive and hard-to-reach spots you've neglected to smear with suntan lotion (along bikini lines, underneath buttock cheeks, or around the breasts and armpits) often fall victim. These burn spots then have to face daily irritation from tight elastic in bras and underwear. To ease chafing, cover the burned area with a dusting of cornstarch. Don't apply petroleum jelly or oils, which can exacerbate the burn by blocking pores. If the burn is blistering, however, don't apply anything.
Cool off with a soak. Slipping into a tub of chilly water is a good way to cool the burn and ease the sting, especially if the burn is widespread or on a hard-to-reach area (such as your back). Avoid using soap, which can irritate and dry out the skin. If you feel you must use soap, use a mild one, such as Dove or Aveeno Bar, and rinse it off well. Definitely skip the washcloth, bath sponge, and loofah. Afterward, pat your skin gently with a soft towel.
Soak in oatmeal. Oatmeal added to cool bathwater offers wonderful relief for sunburned skin. Fill up the bathtub with cool water--not cold water because that can send the body into shock. Don't use bath salts, oils, or bubble bath. Instead, scoop 1/2 to 1 cup oatmeal -- an ideal skin soother -- and mix it in. Another option is to buy Aveeno, an oatmeal powder found in the pharmacy. Follow the packet's directions. As with the baking soda, air-dry your body and don't wipe the oatmeal off your skin.
Soak in vinegar. Adding 1/2 cup vinegar to your cool bathwater should also take the sting out of the sunburn.
Home Remedies from the Refrigerator
Coat yourself in milk. Cool off with a cold glass of milk. Don't drink it; put it right on your body. Soak a facecloth in equal parts cold milk and cool water, wring it out, and gently press it on the burned areas.
Home Remedies from the Sink
Apply cool compresses. Soak a washcloth in cool water and apply it directly to the burned areas (do not apply ice or an ice pack to sunburned skin) for several minutes, rewetting the cloth often to keep it cool. Apply the compress multiple times throughout the day as needed to relieve discomfort.
Drink water. As the sun fried your skin, it also dehydrated it. Be sure to replenish liquids by drinking plenty of water while recovering from a sunburn. Being well hydrated will help burns heal better. You'll know you're hydrated when your urine runs almost clear.
Home Remedies from the Windowsill
Add some aloe vera. The thick, gel-like juice of the aloe vera plant can take the sting and redness out of a sunburn. Aloe vera causes blood vessels to constrict. Luckily, this healing plant is available at your local nursery or even in the grocery store's floral department. Simply slit open one of the broad leaves and apply the gel directly to the burn. Apply five to six times per day for several days.
Home Remedies from the Medicine Cabinet
Moisturize. The sun dries out the skin's surface and causes cells and blood vessels to leak, causing even greater moisture loss. In addition, while cool baths and compresses can make you feel better, they can also end up robbing moisture from your injured skin. To prevent drying, apply moisturizer immediately after your soak. For cooling relief of pain and dryness, chill the moisturizer in the refrigerator before using.
Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever. Nonprescription pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen can relieve pain and cut the inflammation of a sunburn. Take with food as directed on the bottle, and discontinue use if you develop stomach upset. If you can't tolerate aspirin or ibuprofen, consider taking OTC acetaminophen, which can help ease pain but won't relieve inflammation. For a list of precautions to take when using over-the-counter analgesics, click here.
Try a topical anesthetic. Topical anesthetics such as Solarcaine may offer some temporary relief from pain and itching. Look for products that contain lidocaine, which is less likely than some of the other topical anesthetics to cause an allergic reaction. Because some people do have allergic reactions to such products, test a small area of skin before using it all over.
Common Sense Solutions
Don't go back out there. Sunburned skin is much more vulnerable to additional burning, so plan on staying out of the sun for at least a few days to avoid further damage to your skin. Be aware that when you're outdoors during the day, even if you're in the shade, you're being exposed to ultraviolet light. While shade from a tree or an umbrella helps, much of the sunlight your skin is exposed to comes from light reflected off surfaces such as concrete, sand, water, even boat decks. Ultraviolet rays can also penetrate clothing. As much as 50 percent of the sun's damaging rays can get through clothing. So if you're already sunburned, indoors is the best place for you.
Watch for blistering. A serious sunburn can cause the skin to blister. Extensive blistering from a sunburn can be life threatening, so if your skin is covered with these sores, get medical attention immediately. If you have just a few tiny blisters, watch that they don't become infected; don't pop them or remove their protective skin covering.
In addition to staying out of the sun, it's important to stay cool, too. A burn causes the skin's blood vessels to dilate and literally radiate heat from your skin. You'll be more comfortable if you drop the room temperature down and keep it cool inside.
No matter which home remedy solution you choose, remember the discomfort your sunburn has caused -- and next time, take precautions to avoid overexposure to the sun. Sunburn can be relieved naturally, but it is never good for the skin.For more information about skin issues, visit the following sections:
- To see all of our home remedies and the conditions they treat, go to our main Home Remedies page.
- To learn about tanning and sunburns and the skin, visit How Sunburn and Sun Tans Work.
- Wondering how to treat dry skin? Read the Home Remedies for Dry Skin section.
- For tips on treating oily skin, visit Home Remedies for Oily Skin.
Timothy Gower is a freelance writer and editor whose work has appeared in many publications, including Reader's Digest, Prevention, Men's Health, Better Homes and Gardens, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times. The author of four books, Gower is also a contributing editor for Health magazine.
Alice Lesch Kelly is a health writer based in Boston. Her work has been published in magazines such as Shape, Fit Pregnancy, Woman's Day, Reader's Digest, Eating Well, and Health. She is the co-author of three books on women's health.
Linnea Lundgren has more than 12 years experience researching, writing, and editing for newspapers and magazines. She is the author of four books, including Living Well With Allergies.
Michele Price Mann is a freelance writer who has written for such publications as Weight Watchers and Southern Living magazines. Formerly assistant health and fitness editor at Cooking Light magazine, her professional passion is learning and writing about health.
ABOUT THE CONSULTANTS:
Ivan Oransky, M.D., is the deputy editor of The Scientist. He is author or co-author of four books, including The Common Symptom Answer Guide, and has written for publications including the Boston Globe, The Lancet, and USA Today. He holds appointments as a clinical assistant professor of medicine and as adjunct professor of journalism at New York University.
David J. Hufford, Ph.D., is university professor and chair of the Medical Humanities Department at Pennsylvania State University's College of Medicine. He also is a professor in the departments of Neural and Behavioral Sciences and Family and Community Medicine. Dr. Hufford serves on the editorial boards of several journals, including Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine and Explore.
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
