Sunburn Remedies the MSE way

Savvy_Sue

Send your OH out for a bottle of Aloe Vera gel, the boys cooked themselves thoroughly last summer - they are older teenagers and were not with me or I would have pointed out the unwisdom of stripping to the waist on an unshaded beach and not reapplying suncream after swimming ...

Anyway, one large bottle of Aloe Vera gel later and we avoided a claim on our travel insurance! But I was very worried about them. Just hoping they've learned their lesson!

myrnahaz

Cold, used teabags are good for sunburn and other burns (honestly - it takes the pain away immediately). I'm not sure how you'd apply it to sunburn (if you burn your hand on the cooker the burnt area is smaller so one teabag will do the trick) - I suppose you'd have to keep dabbing the wet bag over the sunburn.
The BBC breakfast's Dr Rosemary Leonard also said that teabags were good for sunburn (this morning's programme).

NancyLA

If you aren't sensitive to it, Aloe Vera gel is very soothing and healing, and a specific for burns. You could also try bathing with tomato juice (or wipe over with a cut tomato, or mix together some buttermilk and tomato juice), potato juice (or a cold poutice of grated raw potato), parsley juice (or a cold poultice of the leaves), cool wet teabags or some cold strong tea; lettuce leaves; cucumber; watermelon; the inside of a banana skin; some yoghurt; diluted lavender essential oil; cold, mashed pumpkin (or tinned); honey; macerated oil of St John's wort; elderberry juice; waterlily leaves as a poultice.

You can also make a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water, and apply that, or have a lukewarm bath with bicarb in it. Very soothing.

Next time, use sunblocks, protective clothing and hats. I know at first hand how ugly and dangerous skin cancers can be!! I recently was in danger of losing my nose from them.

laurena86

I got burnt horrendously last year and went out and bought industrial sized bottles of vinegars and bathed in it. It worked wonders!