Sunburns are painful and a leading cause of some types of skin cancer. If you have one now, treat it immediately. Here's how to do it at home and affordably.
Sunburns are dangerous: they're a leading cause of multiple types of skin cancer. Knowing the dos and don'ts of sunscreen is essential to living a long, healthy life. But if you've already gotten sunburned, what can you do? Here are five steps you should take to speed up recovery so you can go back to enjoying life in the sun.
Keeping your skin cool helps ease the pain. Try taking cold showers or soaking in a cold water bath frequently. When you pat yourself with a towel, allow some water to remain on your body for extended pain relief. Alternatively, you could place a damp towel on the most sunburnt areas throughout the day.
The skin is the body's largest organ. When you get a sunburn, the body draws fluids to the damaged skin cells so they can be repaired. As a result, you may become dehydrated. Drink extra water as you fight sunburn to replenish the fluids you're losing.
If you have a hard time drinking lots of water, try adding natural flavors (like lemon juice or mint) to make it less boring. Or opt for healthy iced tea drinks, which are mostly made up of water and taste delicious.
Apply moisturizers to the most affected areas to trap moisture as you heal. DIY lotion bars are affordable, hydrating, and perfect for sunburned skin (but leave out the essential oils, which could irritate the damaged skin layer). And don't forget moisturizing lip balms: sunburns can also hurt your lips!
If you go the store-bought route, pick a fatty moisturizing cream with hydrocortisone. This steroid has anti-inflammatory properties, relieves pain, and can be easily found at pharmacies without a prescription. It's more expensive than home remedies but acts fast on moderate-to-severe burns.
If the itchiness and burning haven't gone away after a day or two, consider taking medication as prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist. While medication won't speed up the recovery process, it'll ease the pain.
If you notice blisters, don't pick at them: they're helping your skin heal and could even become infected if punctured. Continue drinking fluids, moisturize, and give your body a break from the sun.
When you need to go outdoors, cover the most affected areas with tightly woven clothes (like a white long-sleeved shirt) and a hat, to protect your scalp and face.
Enjoy your summer with sunscreen in your purse and these tips on your mind. Whether you're staying indoors or having a blast in the sun, there are a lot of budget-friendly family activities you can do this season. See whether the Save Coupon Book is available in your area to get access to unmissable deals.
