What to Do If You Get a Sun Burn

So, you got caught out in the sun without your sun block on and got a sun burn. It happens to the best of us at times. I won't go into the long turn damage that you may have caused because right now a guilt trip is not necessary and I am sure you are aware of the damaging effects of UV rays. Right now what you need is information on the problem at hand; the pain associated with having a sun burn. Below you will learn some things you can do at home to alleviate some of the pain and other symptoms from having sunburn.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Sun Burn Treatment

To cool the burn of sunburn, apply apple cider vinegar to the affected areas. You can do this by pouring the apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle and misting the sunburn with it or you can apply it directly to the sun burnt skin via a wash cloth. You can also pour the vinegar directly onto the skin. The apple cider vinegar will quickly take the burn out of the skin, but only temporarily. Not only will the apple cider vinegar help act as a pain reducer, it also has the healing effect of preventing and minimizing the peeling and blistering of the skin.

Aloe Vera for Sun Burn Treatment

My mother always had an aloe Vera plant when I was growing up. Any cut, burn, or sting I would get she would break open one of the aloe Vera leaves and apply the clear gel to the abrasion or burn. In today's world you don't have to have an Aloe Vera plant in your home. Most any pharmacy or major retail store has bottles of Aloe Vera lotion on the shelf. When you purchase the store brand Aloe Vera, make sure it is 100% pure Aloe Vera. Applying the Aloe Vera to the sun burned skin will help take the sting out as well as possibly help reverse damage to the skin and promote healing. Aloe Vera is known to be an anti-inflammatory and promotes regeneration of the skin cells.

Medications for Sun Burns

Many people who get a sunburn report pain and discomfort. Sometimes the above measures are not enough to get the burning and stinging pain out completely. If this is the case you may want to try some acetaminophen for pain relief and also as a fever reducer. Your skin is a major body organ and when it is sun burned, it is sick and has the potential of throwing off your body's homeostasis. You might also want to consider taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as Ibuprofen.

Immediate Health Complications Related to Sun Burn

Anytime you nakedly expose your skin to harmful UV rays you are taking the risk of developing skin cancer. But like I have said before, that is something you are probably already aware of. What you need to focus on right now is the immediate possible adverse health effects. A sun burn can cause you to become dehydrated. To ward off dehydration make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. Not only will the correct allowance of water consumption a day help ward of dehydration, it will also promote the healing of your sun burn.

If your sunburn was really bad and you developed blisters, make sure to get the open areas of the skin clean and free of any debris or germs. The open wounds are highly susceptible to skin infections. As mentioned before, your skin is a major body organ and it has received a mighty blow. Keep an eye on your oral temperature. When in doubt always seek the advice of a medical doctor. Sun burns can be minor but they can also be major.