I got a sunburn yesterday at the beach and sleeping last night was very uncomfortable. Apparently, the sunscreen I applied didn't stick well (I was still wet) and it didn't work. Within 20 min., I turned into a Maine lobster.
My dad says taking a hot shower will take the sting out and numb the pain but I think that's a load of crap because when I take hot showers after a bad sunburn, it is extremely uncomfortable (but so is taking a freezing cold shower so I bathe in lukewarm H2O). Anyone have any good ideas? Cooling cream works only temporarily.
2006-07-12 10:53:45 · 17 answers · asked by chrstnwrtr 7 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
Sometimes applying solarcaine helps, it has a mild anesthetic to ease the pain.
I used to slather myself with very cold plain yoghurt. Messy, yeah but it helped some. You take a bath with lukewarm water to take it off.
Another one is to wrap some ice cubes in a washrag, dip it into vinegar and apply to the burnt area, that draws the heat out, or so some say. I tried it and it works. I would take it easy and use a top that will protect my neck, shoulders and back at least during the next couple of days.
Keep your skin well protected with cream, I use nivea, the really thick kind. My kids and I usually apply sunblock, no tanning oil at all and after a bath we slather Nivea skin cream all over. We´ve never had a problem. It might also be that your skin is overly sensitive to the sun as well.
Take it easy.
Good Luck
2006-07-12 11:02:43 · answer #1 · answered by Karan 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Sunburn is a first-degree burn, so it can be treated as with any minor burn that doesn't cause the skin to break or bubble. Cool water - showers or wet cloths - can help relieve the symptoms by quieting your nerve endings (your dad's suggestion might 'work' by masking the problem - it's like having someone kick your shin to help you forget the pain of the stubbed toe).
To 'cure' the burn, aloe lotions are best. The effects won't be instantaneous though, depending on how bad the burn really is.
Good luck!
2006-07-12 18:11:33 · answer #2 · answered by aaron_mucciolo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
taking a hot or warm shower after a sunburn is the worst you can do as it actually heats the skin even more as if your burning more. just as if you got a bad burn. the best thing is cold water or showers or soak in the tub of cold water. it will take the pain away and increase healing faster. many creams and sprays are used and might feel better at that moment, but you wind up putting a layer on the burn that keeps it from healing and getting air and cool water to it.
2006-07-12 18:00:59 · answer #3 · answered by hollywood71@verizon.net 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a luke warm shower. Or shower as cool as you can handle the water. Use an aloe gel with lidocaine. Also you could try putting damp cloths in the freezer and then putting them on your sunburn areas. That helps take the heat out of them. And take some Motrin.
2006-07-12 18:01:13 · answer #4 · answered by Kim V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aloe vera is the perfect thing to apply to a person with sunburn. Go to a drug store, or Target if you are in the US and find in their sunblock area a 100% natural aloe vera gel.
The brand name for one of my favorites is Fruit of the Earth 24 oz clear gel, clear bottle, blue cap or the Target brand which contains the same exact ingridients with a green color to it which after applied won't leave you looking green.
Hope that helps. And next time you know you are heading to the beach in advance start eating carrots because their beta carotene will help you not getting burned so fast.
2006-07-12 18:02:53 · answer #5 · answered by Duke E 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I found trying to put an ice pack on it, depending where the sunburn is, it just calms it down a bit, for as long as you can stand really and then outting some cream on it thats not too sticky. A good idea is to put the cream in the fridge to cool it before applying.
2006-07-12 17:58:07 · answer #6 · answered by gally g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't take a hot shower! That's just asinine, you need to add moisture and cool the burn NOT suck moisture out which is what a hot shower does. Don't use anything petroleum based as that keeps your skin from breathing and holds the heat in as do lotions. The best things I've found to soothe a burn are aloe gel and Solarcane.
2006-07-12 17:56:19 · answer #7 · answered by Jill S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The juice of an Aloe plant...I live in Florida and have many Aloe plants just for that purpose. Just break off an arm or branch and break it open and smear the goo on the burn. Must warn you it smells to high heaven but works wonders for sunburned skin.
2006-07-12 18:04:12 · answer #8 · answered by sdboller2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aloe vera. The best feeling for a sunburn.
2006-07-12 17:57:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its unanimous Aloe Vera is a wonderful soothing and effective treatment for sunburn. I feel your pain!
2006-07-12 18:04:18 · answer #10 · answered by tattiehoker54 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋