Soothe Your Sunburn

If you spent too much time outdoors without enough sunscreen, chances are good you got sunburned. Sunburn is a very painful problem that needs proper treatment.

By following these suggestions, you can make the healing process a bit easier.

Time Required: n/a

Here's How:

1. Get out of the sun. This may sound like a no-brainer, but as a boat owner, I've heard many people say, "I already am burned; what's the big deal if I stay out another couple of hours?" The big deal is the fact that your mild sunburn could easily turn into a blistering second-degree sunburn which would need medical attention. If you think your mild sunburn hurts, you don't want to experience a second-degree burn. Get out of the sun.

2. Take a cool shower or bath. Sunburn is very common to other types of burns, and your skin will feel very hot to the touch. You will feel instant (but temporary) relief from a cool shower or bath. Add in oatmeal for extra soothing relief.

3. Soothe your skin with Aloe Vera. This is something you've probably heard before, but it really is an easy way to get relief. A great idea would be to purchase an aloe houseplant that you can easily snap off a stem when needed. If you don't have a green thumb, you can get an aloe gel at your local drugstore. Apply multiple times a day for relief.

4. Continue to moisturize. Your skin is parched from the burn, and if you don't moisturize it, you'll have a horrible itchy feeling until it is gone. Go with a natural based moisturizer like Cocoa Butter. Cocoa Butter melts at skin temperature which allows it to sink right in.

5. Take a pain reliever. Sunburn can be quite painful, and a pain reliever like tylenol or advil will help reduce the pain. Continue to take it around the clock at least the first 1-2 days for consistent pain relief.

6. Seek medical attention when necessary. Sunburn isn't always best to treat at home. If you see multiple blisters or have severe pain, see your doctor. He or she will help determine the best choice of action and prescribe stronger pain medication if necessary.

7. Play it safe. Once you've experienced a painful sunburn, you never want to go through it again. Get a couple of bottles of sun screen and keep them with you at home and in the car. How many times do you unexpectedly go somewhere with your friends without thinking ahead to bring sun screen. If you have a bottle in your car, you'll be prepared no matter the situation.

Tips:

1. Apply sunscreen 20-30 minutes before heading out. This will give the sunscreen a chance to start working before you start soaking up the rays.
2. Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, more if you're in the water or sweating a lot.
3. Always wear a hat to protect your scalp and sunglasses to protect your eyes.
4. Lips sunburn faster than your skin. Apply a SPF lip balm when applying your sunscreen.

What You Need:

• Cool Shower or Bath
• Aloe
• Moisturizer
• Pain Reliever

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