How to Soothe a Sunburn

Ouch! You fell asleep on the beach and now you're in some serious pain. The sun bakes your skin just as a fire does, and when you expose your skin for too long, it will burn. Here's how to soothe those lobster-red body parts.

Things You'll Need

• Hat And Protective Clothing
• Loose-fitting Pajamas
• Tea Bags
• Aloe Vera Plant Or Gel
• Aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen

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Instructions

• 1

  Bathe or shower in cool water to bring down your overall body temperature. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes.

• 2

  Peel the skin from an aloe vera leaf and gently lay on the burn. Or, apply 100 percent aloe vera gel to soothe the pain and promote healing.

• 3

  Aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen can ease the stinging and swelling somewhat (see Warning).

• 4

  If your legs or arms are sunburned, keep them elevated.

• 5

  If your eyelids are burned, place chilled, damp tea bags over them to soothe them.

• 6

  Sleep in loose-fitting pajamas or nothing to reduce pain.

• 7

  Stay out of the sun for several days while your skin heals, or at least keep sunburned body parts covered up with a hat and protective clothing.

• 8

  If you experience blistering, fever, chills or weakness as a result of your sunburn, contact your doctor. Do not pop the blisters or apply lotions or gels to them.

• 9

  In the future, follow the "slip, slop, slap" rule: Slip on a longsleeved shirt, slop on some broad-spectrum sunscreen (15 SPF or higher), and slap on a hat and sunglasses whenever you're going outside, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's strongest. Use 25 SPF or higher if you'll be exposed for an extended period or are fair-skinned. Reapply sunscreen liberally every 1 to 2 hours (more frequently if you are swimming or sweating).