Remedies for Sunburn Relief for Dry Allergic Skin

This article is specifically written for a particular segment of the population. Of course this group doesn't usually spend a lot of time in the sun, due to the nature of their skin. But there are times when we still find ourselves with a sunburn. This article is for those who have dry, sensitive skin before they got the burn.

In consideration of the skin type I am writing for, what not to use can be as important if not more important than what can be used; especially, in our case, the cure can be much worse than the ailment.

Of course the best remedy is to avoid extended stays in the sun or to at least prepare for that situation. When my in-laws still lived in Hawaii, I visited them every year. Before I went,I would coat myself in a self-tanner and lie out in the sun for 5-10 minutes on each side, then go back in the house. I would do this for about two weeks.

This really didn't give me a discernible tan, since my skin is naturally just a bit darker than an albino's color. But at least I would be a bit less than day-glo for my trip to Hawaii. This also helped when I was in Hawaii. I was able to be outside for fairly extended periods without getting burned.

Next, this is the list of items that have been recommended to me, I've tried and have regretted. I've learned since then,in my normal day-to-day activities if something causes my skin to feel sticky,creepy, hurting or irritated, then it is a good indicator that it just might not be a good antidote for my sunburn.

The items on my personal list, yours may be different, are oatmeal, vinegar,baking soda, potato and egg, because they cause my skin to be extra dry and irritated, therefore even more itchy.There are also milk and yogurt
since they cause my skin to feel creepy and sticky, and I just want to tear it off.Then there is Noxema,any kind of mint or menthol, anything with citric acid, such as lemon or vinegar, because they cause my skin to hurt and to become red and rashy.

I had quite a few very frustrating and hurting years, until I discovered witch hazel and Aloe Vera. Ahhh, relief. Witch hazel became one of my cure-alls,especially since I couldn't use alcohol or anything alcohol based.I used
it from cleaning wounds and soothing burns to washing my face.

Then I was introduced to Aloe Vera, also known as the burn plant. Aloe Vera gel can be found wherever health or holistic type remedies or foods are sold. However, it doesn't have a long shelf life. It spoils. The plant is a practical choice, and it is also not very fussy to keep. It's easy to use,just pinch off a stem, slit it lengthwise, turn it inside out and apply the inside to the wound or burn. If you have not completely used it up, it can be wrapped and stored in the fridge for later use.

Vitamin E and Aloe Vera lotions can also be helpful, although they are not as strong as the straight Aloe Vera. It depends upon how severe the burn is. The lotions also help after the initial burn has been dealt with, to prevent the skin from blistering quite as much as it would without the moisture.

Hydro-cortisone cream or ointment and Balmex are also very useful, especially when the burn is bad and really hurts. Hydro-cortisone can also work in similar ways to antibiotic cream, or anti itch cream if it is needed. Balmex has zinc oxide in it and is a wonderful quick healing agent.

Another solution, which I don't use because it is messy and I don't always have them on hand and I would rather eat them when I do, are avocados, because they have vitamin E. But in case that is all you have on hand, that would be another possible resource of help and relief.The oil from the avocado can also be used as a nonirritating sunblock.

Sources:

http://www.avocadosource.com/WAC2/WAC2_p025.htm

http://www.drugs.com/npp/avocado.html

http://www.mothernature.com/Library/bookshelf/Books/47/124.cfm