We previously had a look at skin care for dry, combination and oily skin, but a special discussion of sunburnt skin care is required.
Symptoms
Sunburns are never good news. Not only do they leave you red-faced and stinging, but they often leave lasting damage. Sun poisoning may seem much more serious, but it’s essentially the same thing. In medical terms, sun poisoning and sunburn are both referred to as photodermatitis, your skin’s allergic reaction to overexposure to the sun.
In the case of sun poisoning, however, the reaction is a bit more severe and the symptoms may become seriously uncomfortable. A typical sunburn involves itching, redness, and peeling. Severe sunburns may also be accompanied by small blisters that may lead to infection. Symptoms of sun poisoning also tend to include nausea, fever, headache, and dizziness and may also be accompanied by fluid loss and electrolyte imbalance.
If your symptoms are limited to mild discomfort, treat your skin the way you would treat any sunburn. Stay hydrated, apply ice or cold compresses to reduce swelling or itching. Apply aloe if it helps and keep out of the sun. Try taking beta-carotene supplements as they’ve been shown to ease inflammation. Avoid using oils, salvery (butter is the worst) or anything that contains potential irritants such as fragrances and exfoliants.
Treatments:
Aloe: Take as many leaves as necessary from an aloe plant; refrigerate; peel off top layer of leaves; apply the side of the leaf with flesh exposed directly to the sunburn. Other remedies use aloe vera juice: for mild to medium sunburn, keep the affected area moist with aloe vera juice. Repeat frequently. This will reduce the pain and the amount of peeling. Aloe vera ointment works well, too, as it contains oil and will not evaporate. For a severe sunburn, keep the area moist at all times with aloe vera juice. Since aloe vera is an astringent, you may want to use aloe vera ointment or some sort of oil, such as olive or baby. Aloe is very effective in relieving pain and inflammation.
* Combine aloe juice with ½ the amount of vitamin E. Dab on the sunburn. Vitamin E is a good moisturizer.
Aloe Vera Gel
For sunburn there is nothing better than aloe vera gel; it is
antibacterial and deeply healing for burns in part because of
aloectin B, which stimulates the immune system. Aloe vera gel
is used in hospitals for burn victims. Aloe Vera comes from the
aloe vera plant, and the gel may be squeezed from its leaves, or
you can buy pure aloe vera gel as a product in most health food
stores.
Vitamin E Cream
One of the antioxidants, vitamin E creams, ointments and oils,
can help heal sunburn damage and shorten its effects.
Increase Your Vitamin C
Another antioxidant, increasing your vitamin C intake while sunburned
will help you heal.
Black Tea Sunburn Soother
The tannins in cool black tea will help sooth a sunburn.
Baking Soda Bath
Have a cool bath to which 1/2 a cup of baking soda has been added.
Calendula Creams
Calendula is one of the most healing plants. The flowers are
emollient, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and
antiviral. They are immune system stimulants and rich in
carotenoids. Look in your health food store for calendula creams
and ointments.
On the other hand, if the burn is more painful or you exhibit any of the systemic symptoms listed above, step up your efforts to cool down and hydrate. Drink plenty of fluids and take a bath in cool (not cold) water. Pat skin dry-don’t rub-and stay in a cool environment until your symptoms ease.
At any point, if you suffer from extreme pain or vomiting or if your fever grows too hot (over 104 degrees Fahrenheit), head to an emergency room. In more serious cases, a doctor can prescribe an oral steroid to reduce inflammation or administer IV fluids to restore hydration.
Prevention
Prevention is the best remedy here, if you can. Long-term results from excessive exposure to the sun, such as skin cancer and wrinkled skin, can be avoided with proper precautions. One of the best preventatives is to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. You can get as much sun sightseeing as baking at the beach, so use sunscreen whenever you are outdoors.
Use an aloe vera lotion containing a sunblock. This will cut out 90% of the burning rays and allow 75% of the tanning rays to reach the skin.
To speed healing take the following supplements for a few days after getting burned: 1,000 mg of vitamin C, 400 I.U. of vitamin E, 15 mg of beta carotene, and 1-2 tablespoons (or about 3 capsules per teaspoon) of flaxseed oil, an essential fatty acid.
