Root Cause of Disease
Sunburn is caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light may be from the sun or artificial sources, such as sunlamps and tanning beds. UVA is the wavelength of light that can penetrate to the deep layers of skin and lead to skin damage over time. UVB is the wavelength of light that penetrates the skin more superficially and causes sunburn.
Symptoms
The symptoms of sunburn include:
- Changes in skin color, ranging from pink to red and even purple
- Skin that feels hot to the touch
- Pain and/or itching
- Swelling
- Fluid-filled blisters that may itch and eventually pop or break
- Broken blisters that peel to reveal even more tender skin beneath.
Sunburnt skin will change color within 2 to 6 hours of being burnt and the color change will continue to develop for up to 72 hours.
Causes
UV light damages skin cells. The immune system reacts by increasing blood flow to the affected areas, which causes inflamed skin (erythema) known as sunburn. The are 3 types of UV radiation (based on wavelength) are UVA, UVB and UVC. The earth’s atmosphere absorbs nearly all UVC radiation (the most dangerous type) before it reaches the ground.
UVA – penetrates into the deeper skin layers and damages the sites where new skin cells are generated. Too much UVA radiation leads to roughening, dryness, blotchiness, wrinkling and sagging of the skin.
UVB – is even more dangerous than UVA radiation, causing tanning, burning, ageing, skin damage and significantly promoting the development of skin cancer.
You can get sunburned on cool or cloudy days. Surfaces such as snow, sand and water can reflect UV rays and burn skin too.
Types of sunburn:
The two most common types of sunburn include:
- First-degree sunburn: Damage to your skin’s outer layer. This usually heals on its own in a few days to a week.
- Second-degree sunburn: Damage to the inner layer of your skin (dermis). This may cause blistering. It can take weeks to heal and may need medical treatment.
Home Remedies to treat Sunburn
Remedy – 1: Aloe vera
Materials: Aloe vera
If you don’t have an aloe vera plant in your house, you should get one. The gel inside this succulent plant has been used for centuries for all sorts of ailments, from upset stomachs to kidney infections. It’s also the sunburn relief most commonly found over the counter.
Benefits of using aloe vera:
- Soothes Burns and Heals Wounds. Whether it’s sunburn, burns, cuts and scraps aloe is the best
- Eases Intestinal Problems
- Reduces Arthritic Swelling.
- Heals Psoriasis Lesions.
- Potential to fight breast cancer
- Lowers blood sugar levels
Procedure:
Breaking off a chunk of the plant and applying the gel directly to the skin provides immediate, soothing relief from the sting of minor sunburn. If you can’t get your hands on a plant, try 100 percent aloe vera gel (not an aloe-based lotion or ointment). You can find these gels in most pharmacies.
Product link: Aloe vera
Remedy – 2: Chamomile tea
Materials: 2 cups of water, 3 tea spoons dried chamomile.
Chamomile tea can be soothing to your spirit, but it can also soothe your sunburned skin. Brew the tea as you normally would and let it cool. When it’s ready, soak a washcloth in it and apply it to the affected area.
Facts about chamomile:
Chamomile is beneficial for insomnia, allergies, PMS, and menopause symptoms. Chamomile flowers can be sewn into a bag and used as a dream pillow, as the aroma is deeply relaxing and can help provide more restful and deeper sleep.
Procedure:
- To begin making Chamomile tea Recipe, take a saucepan and start heating water on a high heat.
- Once the water starts boiling, switch off heat and add the dried chamomile.
- Keep it covered for a minute.
- Strain the chamomile tea into the tea cups.
- Let it cool. soak a clean cloth in tea and apply it to the affected area.
Product link: Chamomile
Remedy- 3: Oatmeal Bath
Materials: Oatmeal
Oatmeal (sold as colloidal oatmeal in drug stores) works as an anti-inflammatory when mixed with bath water. Pour oatmeal into tepid bath water and soak. Adding a cup of oats to the bath also soothes irritation and helps the skin retain its natural moisture.
Procedure:
- Make sure the water is lukewarm, not hot.
- Sprinkle the recommended amount or 1 cup of your DIY oatmeal under running water as the tub fills.
- Soak for about 10-15 minutes.
- After the bath, gently pat yourself dry so your skin still feels damp.
Don’t scrub your skin, either in the bath or after getting out. Dab yourself dry with a towel — don’t rub.
Product link: Oats
Remedy – 4: Potatoes
Materials: Potatoes, Blender
Raw potato is a very effective home remedy for relieving sunburn because it has natural starches which can help to draw the heat of the skin.
Procedure:
- You should peel 2 large potatoes and you should cut them into small pieces.
- You should blend these pieces in a blender to make a paste.
- You should apply this paste to the affected skin and let it dry on its own. You should take a cool shower.
- You should repeat this natural treatment once per day for a period of a few days until the symptoms are gone.
Product link: Potato
Remedy – 5: Coconut oil
Materials: Coconut
Coconut oil has skin-nourishing fatty acids and this is a reason why it works as an excellent moisturizer to reduce the symptoms of sunburn. Also, it has Vitamin E which is working as an antioxidant and this can help to decrease the inflammation that is caused by sunburn. The coconut oil is very light which means that it can be quickly absorbed by the skin and it can give good results in a period of a few days.
Procedure:
- You should slightly warm extra–virgin coconut oil in the microwave.
- You should liberally rub some of this oil on the sunburned area and then gently massage it.
- You should do this natural treatment 3 times per day for a period of several days to promote healing.
Product link: Coconut-oil
Other Remedies
Cold Compress
You can also try a cold compress to reduce heat, pain, and swelling. Wrap an ice pack or a bag of frozen veggies in a soft towel and apply to the burn. Never place ice directly on your skin, as it can cause more damage. Use the cold compress throughout the day for 10–15-minute intervals.
Witch Hazel
Wet a washcloth or cotton gauze with this astringent and apply to the skin for 20 minutes. Reapply three or four times a day (or as needed) to minimize pain and itching. You can thank anti-inflammatory tannins for the soothing effects of witch hazel!
Vinegar
Acetic acid in vinegar alleviates pain, itching, and inflammation. Pour one cup of apple cider vinegar into tepid bath water and soak. You can also apply vinegar to sunburned skin with a washcloth for 10-15 minutes at a time.
Preventions
- Avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The sun’s rays are strongest during these hours, so try to schedule outdoor activities for other times. If you can’t do that, limit the time you’re in the sun. Seek shade when possible.
- Avoid sun tanning and tanning beds. Getting a base tan doesn’t decrease your risk of sunburn. If you use a self-tanning product to look tan, also apply sunscreen before going outdoors.
- Use sunscreen often and generously. Use water-resistant, broad-spectrum lip balm and sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days. Broad-spectrum products offer protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays. No sunscreen can block 100% of the sun’s UVB rays.
- Wear sunglasses when outdoors. Choose sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection. Check the UV rating on the label when buying new glasses. Darker lenses don’t always mean better UV protection. It also helps to wear sunglasses that fit close to your face or have wraparound frames
When to see a doctor?
See your health care provider if you:
- Develop large blisters
- Develop blisters on the face, hands or genitals
- Experience severe swelling of the affected area
- Show signs of infection, such as blisters with pus or streaks
- Experience worsening pain, headache, confusion, nausea, fever or chills
- Get worse despite at-home care
- Have eye pain or vision changes
