How to Soothe a Sunburn

Ouch! You fell asleep on the beach and now you're in some serious pain. The sun bakes your skin just as a fire does, and when you expose your skin for too long, it will burn. Here's how to soothe those lobster-red body parts.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Hat And Protective Clothing
• Loose-fitting Pajamas
• Tea Bags
• Aloe Vera Plant Or Gel
• Aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen

1. Bathe or shower in cool water to bring down your overall body temperature. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Peel the skin from an aloe vera leaf and gently lay on the burn. Or, apply 100 percent aloe vera gel to soothe the pain and promote healing.

3. Aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen can ease the stinging and swelling somewhat (see Warning).

4. If your legs or arms are sunburned, keep them elevated.

5. If your eyelids are burned, place chilled, damp tea bags over them to soothe them.

6. Sleep in loose-fitting pajamas or nothing to reduce pain.

7. Stay out of the sun for several days while your skin heals, or at least keep sunburned body parts covered up with a hat and protective clothing.

8. If you experience blistering, fever, chills or weakness as a result of your sunburn, contact your doctor. Do not pop the blisters or apply lotions or gels to them.

9. In the future, follow the "slip, slop, slap" rule: Slip on a longsleeved shirt, slop on some broad-spectrum sunscreen (15 SPF or higher), and slap on a hat and sunglasses whenever you're going outside, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's strongest. Use 25 SPF or higher if you'll be exposed for an extended period or are fair-skinned. Reapply sunscreen liberally every 1 to 2 hours (more frequently if you are swimming or sweating).

Tips & Warnings

• Be sparing in the application of lotions, gels or oils on a sunburn. They can seal the heat into the skin and prevent it from cooling. Never put butter on a burn.

• Never give aspirin to children.

• Visit a dermatologist if you develop any odd skin conditions after spending time in the sun. It might be an early sign of skin cancer.

• Avoid sunburn sprays containing benzocaine, which irritates some skin types.