Here’s how to naturally alleviate a sunburn (part one)

While it is only April, I figure it’s worth dedicating a post to sunburn care. Most people innately associate sunburns with ridiculously warm temperatures that tend to occur in the summer months, like July and August, but for those of us who work outdoors, we don’t necessarily need to wait for the official arrival of summer to feel the effects of the sun.

My sister has a sun allergy, and she was outdoors for a few hours a couple of days ago. Naturally, she got fried, and her sunburn prompted me to consider writing a post about how to calm the rage of a sunburn down with a natural approach as opposed to a chemical one.

The following information comes from thepioneerwoman.com, and it is regarding how to treat a sunburn – not avoid one.

“Take Medicine. When taken within a few hours, ibuprofen can help stop the inflammation that results from a sunburn. If your sunburn is on the mild side with pink skin and no tenderness, Dr. Caudell says a single dose should do the trick.

“Jump in the Shower. A cool shower can do wonders for a sunburn. But keep it short—too much time spent in the water can dry out your skin. Dr. Caudell recommends using a simple cleanser too.

“Draw a Bath. Submerge and let your skin soak. Again, don’t overdo it—15 or 20 minutes will provide ample relief. Dr. Sadick recommends an oatmeal-based bath, which can provide anti-inflammatory benefits.

“Try Milk. You can also douse your sunburn in milk to reduce inflammation. Milk even has lactic acid properties that help remove dead skin cells. Pro relief tip: Grab a gallon right from the fridge so it’s cold when you apply.

“Apply Moisturizer. After cleansing your skin, apply moisturizer to keep the area around your sunburn hydrated. If you can, opt for scent-free moisturizers with SPF. If your face is sunburnt, Dr. Caudell recommends a noncomedogenic moisturizer for acne-prone skin,” the web page says.

Check back tomorrow for part two.

Photo by Óscar Salgado on Unsplash


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