It is summer season again and like every day you have to head outside. But along with all the hours spent outdoors under the sun, there usually comes an inevitable condition of getting sunburnt. It is one thing you cannot escape, no matter how hard and efficiently your wrap yourself. However, a few natural remedies are useful in treating sun rash.
Read on to find more on how to treat sunburn.
What is Sunburn?
Sunburn is nothing but as simple as a skin condition caused due to overexposure of sun and it’s ultraviolet rays which harm the tendency of the skin causing peeling, itching, rashes, and sometimes even blisters. Even a minimum of 10 minutes in the sun can cause sunburn.
What is Sun Poisoning?
Skin poisoning is a severe condition of sunburn. It is an extreme point of the skin getting affected with sunburn which leads to the causing of sun poisoning rash, blisters, etc. Unlike a sunburn, sun poisoning rash requires immediate treatment to prevent serious complications. To differentiate between sunburn and a sun poisoning rashthe, following are the symptoms given.
Symptoms of Sun Poisoning
- Peeling skin or blistering
- Severe pain and redness
- Chills and sometimes fever
- Dehydration
- Vomiting or nausea
- Severe headaches
- Confusion
- Dizziness and sometimes faintness
What causes Sunburn?
- Overexposure to the sun and its ultraviolet rays which are incredibly harmful to your skin and health.
- Due to overexposure to the sun, your skin creates a defense against it by increasing the production of melanin in the body which causes skin darkening or suntan as we say.
Symptoms of a Sunburn
- Redness or pinkness
- Skin gets hot to touch
- Tenderness, itching, and pain
- Swelling
- Sunburn blisters
- Nausea, fatigue, fever, and headache
Now as you know about sunburn, it will be easy to understand how to treat sunburn.
How to Treat Sunburn With Natural Remedies
CURE 1. Foods
Oats
Oats are an excellent means of exfoliating. The granules of oats are helpful in soothing the skin and reducing the inflammation that the sunburn rash causes. It retains the required moisture of the skin and soothes the irritation on the sunburn and the surrounding skin.
However, in the case of sunburn(1), you do not have to exfoliate or scrub your skin affected with sunburn. Here is what you have to do if you want to know how to soothe a sunburn with oats.
How to use oatmeal for sunburn?
Ingredients:
- One cup of oats
- Cold water
- Dry and clean towel
The procedure of application:
- Add cold water to one cup of oats
- Mix the ingredients and apply to the affected area of the skin
- Let it stay for about twenty minutes
- Wash off with cold water
- Dab your skin dry with a clean and dry towel softly.
- Repeat the same twice a day until the sunburn gets healed
Precaution:
Make sure you do not scrub your skin with sunburn with oats. It may make the sunburn even worse and cause swelling and redness.
Other than oats, there are a few foods which help in treating sunburns. Read on to know how to treat sunburn with foods and which are the foods to avoid.
Best foods to eat for sunburn on face
- Eat a lot of food rich in Vitamin C including citrus fruits, berries, kiwi, etc.
- Increase your intake of green tea for increasing the content of antioxidants in your body.
- Increase your consumption of seasonal fruits like watermelons, guava, etc.
- Tomatoes are helpful.
Foods to avoid for sunburn
- Decrease your intake of caffeine-rich products
- Cut down on dairy products and high sugar content products
CURE 2. Herbal Treatments
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is a powerful soothing agent and provides relief to the sunburn itch on the skin. It cools and calms down the affected area of the body and also maintains the pH level of the surface. It reduces the inflammation and redness of the sunburn and helps to get rid of it naturally.
How to use chamomile tea for sunburn?
Ingredients for chamomile tea:
- Hot water
- Chamomile tea
- Soft and dry washcloth
The procedure of application:
- Add chamomile tea to boiling water and brew it
- Let it cool for a while
- Soak a clean washcloth in the tea and apply it on the sunburn
- Let it stay for a while
- Dip it again and repeat the process as many times as you can in a day
- Continue to do till the sunburn is healed
Precaution:
If you have an allergy from pollen, you must not take up this remedy for sunburn as it may cause an allergic reaction to your skin.
[Also Read: Chamomile Oil Benefits]
Green Tea
To get to know more on how to stop sunburn, all you have to do is consider a thought of consuming green tea. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and reduces the proximity of the skin to encounter a sunburn.
The compounds in green tea protect your skin against the inflammation caused by the sunburn and reduce the action of the UV rays on the body. The best part of that you can apply as well as consume green tea to minimize the effect of sunburn.
How to cure sunburn with green tea?
Ingredients for green tea:
- Green tea
- Hot water
- Dry and a clean washcloth
The procedure of application:
- Add green tea to boiling water and brew it like usual
- Make two cups of green tea so that you can consume as well apply it to the affected area
- Sip your one cup of green tea while the other one cools down
- Take a clean washcloth and dip it in the cooled green tea
- Apply it on the affected area
- You may also use it for sunburn on the scalp
- Continue the process until you get relief from sunburn
- You can see the effects in an hour or so
[Read: How to Treat a Burn]
CURE 3. Essential Oil
Lavender Oil
Lavender essential oil is rich in antioxidants which makes it excellent to combat sunburns. It is gentle and mild and has no side effects; therefore it can be sued for baby skin and sensitive skin. It helps in thickening the outermost layer of the skin and absorbs most of the harmful UV rays that fall on the surface.
On the other hand, it improves the texture of the skin and maintains the moisture of the skin. You can also use creams which contain Vitamin C oil.
How to relieve sunburn with lavender essential oil?
Ingredients for lavender essential oil blend:
- Lavender essential oil
- A carrier oil for your choice
- Cotton swab
The procedure of application:
- Add a few drops of Lavender essential oil to a carrier oil of your choice
- Mix them well
- Take a cotton swab and dip it in the oil blend
- Apply it on the affected area of the skin
- Lavender essential oil is mild and can get used directly. However, if you have sensitive skin or if you are using it for baby sunburn, make sure you dilute it well.
- Continue the process for a few times daily to see useful results. You can also leave the oil overnight.
[Also Read: Lavender Oil Benefits]
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an incredible home remedy of sunburns and other skin conditions. It boosts the immunity of the body which makes it defensive against the harmful effects of the sun. It has anti-inflammatory properties which decrease the inflammation, redness, itching, and swelling of the skin.
How to get rid of peeling skin from sunburn with tea tree essential oil?
Ingredients for tea tree oil blend:
- Tea tree essential oil
- A carrier oil of your choice
- Cotton swab
The procedure of application:
- Add a few drops of tea tree oil with olive oil
- Mix it properly
- Dip a cotton swab in the oil blend
- Apply it on the affected area of the skin
- You can also use it directly on your skin. However, if you have sensitive skin or if you are using it for baby sunburn, make sure you dilute it well.
- Continue the process for a few times daily to see useful results.
Precautions:
Always use the essential oils after diluting it with a carrier oil. It’s concentrated form may cause inflammation in the skin. Always take a patch test before applying these oils to the affected area. Some of the oils might trigger an allergic reaction if you have sensitive skin.
CURE 4. Home Remedies
White Vinegar
White vinegar is rich in acetic acid which is known to reduce the pain, inflammation, and itching of the sunburn. It also makes the affected area of the skin fresh and is efficient in making it less likable to sunburns in future.
How to use vinegar for sunburnt skin?
Ingredients:
- Two tablespoons of white vinegar
- Water
- Dry towels or tissues
The procedure of application:
- Take white vinegar in a glass bowl and add water to it.
- Make sure the water is cold
- Mix them well
- Dip tissues or small dry towels in the blend
- Apply them onto your skin and let them stay
- Repeat the same for a few times a day
- Continue to do so till the sunburned skin is healed
- You can also add white vinegar to your bathing water
Precaution:
Do not use white vinegar for severe burns on the skin. If the application of white vinegar causes stinginess, wash it off immediately. Take a patch test before adding it your bathing water. Do not use white vinegar for sunburn on face. Make sure you do not get it in or around your eyes.
CURE 5. Natural Treatment
Baking Soda
Baking soda reduces itching and inflammation of the skin and reduces the effects of sunburn of the skin. It soothes the affected areas of your body and makes the redness and swelling of the sunburn to cool down. Want to know how to treat sunburn with baking soda. Read on to find out.
How to soothe sunburn with baking soda?
Ingredients for baking soda bath:
- Baking soda
- Cold water
- Dry and clean towel
The procedure of application:
- Add baking soda to cold bathing water
- Take a shower with the same
- You can also soak yourself in the water if you have a bathtub
- Make sure you do not exceed the bathtub regime for more than fifteen minutes
- You can also add oats to your bath as they help in retaining moisture
- Pat your skin dry after bathing
- Make sure you moisturize your skin well
- You can use it for sunburn on scalp and wash your hair with it
Precaution:
Take a patch test before using baking soda for sunburn. Do not take this remedy if you have sensitive skin or for babies. Do not scrub your sunburn rash with a towel. Use a soft and clean cloth to pat dry.
Other than these natural remedies, home remedies, and essential oils, there are a few more home remedies for sunburn. Take a look further to know how to treat sunburn with home remedies.
Other Home Remedies
- Apply Aloe Vera gel on the affected areas of your body regularly or overnight without fail
- Use cold water for bathing
- Use a soft towel while you wipe your skin
- Wear comfortable and loose clothing
- Use a yogurt mask to soothe the sunburn rash. Apply yogurt on the sunburn and massage softly. Let it stay for a while and wash off with cold water. It is quite relieving
- Dab on witch hazel on your sunburn swelling and rash
- Consume as much water as you can in a day and make sure you consume water before stepping out in the skin
- Apply sunscreen every time you are out in the sun
- Cover yourself as much as you can including your face and arms
- Apply moisturizer to your skin to add an extra coat to your skin when you are out
- Drink herbal teas and avoid dairy products consumption
Along with going forward with the natural remedies, make sure to follow a few necessary precautions to escape the side effects that come along. Scroll down to know the precautions.
Precautions
- Always dilute the essential oils
- Do not use essential oils for severe burns without consultation from a doctor
- Apply a sunscreen of required SPF
- Do not go out without covering your face or without s sunscreen
- Take a patch test before you apply anything on your face or your body
- If any of the products causes itching which is more than usual, wash off immediately
- Make sure you do not make contact of essential oils with your eyes. The same goes for white vinegar.
- Do not overdose yourself with green tea as it is caffeinated minutely. Overdosage may be harmful and may cause dizziness
- Take a patch test before using baking soda for sunburn. Do not take this remedy if you have sensitive skin or for babies. Do not scrub your sunburn rash with a towel. Use a soft and clean cloth to pat dry
- Do not use white vinegar for severe burns on the skin. If the application of white vinegar causes stinginess, wash it off immediately. Take a patch test before adding it your bathing water. Do not use white vinegar for sunburn on face. Make sure you do not get it in or around your eyes
- Always use the essential oils after diluting it with a carrier oil. It’s concentrated form may cause inflammation in the skin. Always take a patch test before applying these oils to the affected area. Some of the oils might trigger an allergic reaction if you have sensitive skin
Bottom Line
Sun is not as bad as it seems. With a few precautions and regular follow up of these natural remedies, you can step out in the sun without worries. Enjoy the heat of the summer season and go around having the fun of your life. Make sure you look for the necessary precautions.
With a sincere follow up of the natural remedies regularly and accurately, you can win the fight against sunburns, and you can continue to spend your time outdoors enjoying the sunny weather.
