Things You'll Need:
- Water
- Aspirin or ibuprofen
- Aloe Vera gel
- Moisturizer
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Step 1
Move into the shade or indoors as soon as you notice you are sunburned. Any exposure to the sun at this time will lead to further damage and delay healing. Drink water to replenish fluids--if you are burnt, you are also probably dehydrated slightly. Dehydration will delay healing.
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Step 2
Cool the burn as soon as possible. Do this either by soaking in cool (not cold) water or applying cool compresses to your skin. Make compresses with very soft, cool cloths and clean, cool water. Press very lightly to the skin--do not rub.
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Step 3
Take an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) medicine, such as aspirin (unless the sunburn victim is a child) or ibuprofen as soon as you are aware of the burn. It will relieve pain and swelling. Alternatively, you can take acetaminophen for pain; it is not as effective for inflammation as aspirin or ibuprofen, however.
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Step 4
Refrigerate a bottle of Aloe Vera gel for one hour. Apply the cool, healing gel to the burn. Re-apply the gel as often as necessary the first few days after the burn.
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Step 5
Wear light, non-binding clothing until the burn has healed. Tight, scratchy clothing will irritate the skin and may delay healing. Continue to apply Aloe Vera gel daily. Once the burn is starting to heal, keep the skin moisturized; use a hypoallergenic moisturizer that does not contain perfumes or dies (these can irritate sunburned skin).
