Sunburn causing debilitating pain, can't even fall asleep. Any ways to make it feel better?

Question

I have some really painful sunburns on my chest and my knees. Tried aloe vera gel - it just made it sting and hurt even more. I just want to sleep, I already took a couple nyquils but I tried that last night and ended up getting 2 hours.

Answer 1

Aspirin helps, but don't mix it with the Nyquil. Put your aloe vera in the freezer... when it's ice cold apply liberally. Still miserable... Solarcaine makes a wonderful spray that helps take the sting out of a sun burn.

Answer 2

A burn is a burn - take aspirin or tylenol to help ease the pain, and drink more water than you think possible. You will feel better in a few days - I know that doesn't help much now! If it's not too big an area, you can try a lotion or cream with some topical anaesthetic in it... please don't laugh, but Preperation H or Lanacane work VERY well, even though they're designed for hemerrhoids. THere are also some lotions designed for sunburn but they're pretty pricey and in my opinion don't work as well.

Other suggestions I have heard but not tried - cold, wet herbal teabags, esp. chamomile. Noxema skin Cream; Oatmeal baths.

Good luck, this too shall pass - and probably peel.

Answer 3

When I was a kid, as soon as I got a sunburn my mom rubbed me down with vinegar, it's cooling and takes some of the heat out. After it's been some time that won't work. Go soak in cool water or wet a cloth with cold water and let it lay on the burn for soothing.

Answer 4

Take a cool shower, or bath if the shower hurts too much. Try taking some Benadryl, it might help with the itching, and should put you to sleep, or some Tylenol PM, because the pain may be keeping you awake as well. If you have satin sheets, you may want to put those on the bed as well, and take off any rough blankets/comforters. good luck, it's horrible when you can't go to sleep.

Answer 5

Have you tried green (unripened) tomatoes? Just cut them open and rub it on. A cool bath with a cupful of bicarbonate soda might also help.
Actually, from what you've said, that probably won't work. Go see your doctor. And next time, be a little more sun-savvy! Those UV rays are a killer!

Answer 6

1. Afta: it is a men's after shave costs @$4.00 Works really well
2. Noxzema: Takes the sting out and cools skin fast @$3.50
3. White Vinegar use cotton balls or something soft to apply it is stinky but it also takes the burn out.
DO NOT soak in cool or cold water can cause shock to you nerves!

Answer 7

Try Cocoa Butter lotion. Try an epsom salt bath. Keep putting the Aloe Vera gel on it any way. It is burning because the nerves are exposed but this WILL help it heal faster. Ice packs help for the pain.

Answer 8

Talk to a doctor, I fell asleep in the sun and i ended up with second degree burns all over my chest and damn did that hurt and aloe stung like muthaf**ker damn it hurt but you should be fine within a week, i was and my doctor said take asprine and use burn cream. and once i used the burn cream i lightly wrapped the area with a sterile gaze and it worked for me but please don't blame me if it hurts like hell cause i would have to examine the burns to tell you what to do, cause imma lifeguard so i know how to treat most burns but second degree sunburn was a first for me.

Answer 9

I heard that cool compresses of both ice water and cold milk help. I recently got sunburned enough to blister, it is horrific and barely feeling better. Neosporin seemed to help too.

Answer 10

Aspirin or tylenol for the pain, tylenol pm to help you sleep. Lidocain spray directly to burn or cooling aloe vera gel. Sleep on your back and leave the covers off.