This is a guide about remedies for a sunburn. Prevention is the best remedy. But if you find yourself with a sunburn, it is best to treat it as soon as possible.
First: Take a cool bath to cool the burn. I add lavender which helps take the sting feeling out of the burn. Soak 15-20 minutes. Pat dry.
Second: Apply aloe vera gel to the sunburn.
Third: Use aspirin or Ibuprofen for the pain and for the anti-inflammatory affect.
Fourth: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Fifth: Apply ice to any area that is very painful.
Hope this helps.
By Supermom from Port William, OH
Having fair skin and loving to swim, I have had sunburns since I was a child. For mild sunburns (reddened skin, mild heat), I suggest a cool water bath that has vinegar added. Water should be no more than lukewarm when added to the tub. Add a big splash of white vinegar to the water, then soak in it for at least 15 minutes. Do NOT get water in your eyes - it really stings! The longer you soak, the more cooling effect the bath has. Pat dry with a towel (don't rub since that will irritate the skin). Apply a moisturizing lotion or aloe gel, and cover with loose clothing.
By the next day the redness should be gone and tenderness, too. This method is not recommended for toddlers since they splash and "play" too much in the bath and would get vinegar water in their eyes or mouths. It won't kill them, but it can make them cry.
Source: My mother, grandmother, aunts all did this to us when my cousins and I were small - long before SPF sunscreens. Some of the cousins tanned, some burned, but we all played outdoors most of the summer.
By Melody from Oak Ridge, TN
I live in Florida where we see a lot of sunburn cases. The most effective and natural remedy is the Aloe Vera plant. They grow wild here in Florida. Remove one leaf of the aloe plant (they sort of look like cactus), and keep it in your refrigerator crisper drawer.
When someone gets a burn, take out the aloe. Strip off the hard outside part of the plant and apply it to the burn. The inside of the aloe is clear and gel-like. When you keep it in the fridge and apply it, it feels very cool and soothing. Have a great day!
By Joanne from Cocoa, FL
I recently got a terrible sunburn/windburn while at an all day air show. I was blistered and swollen, it was so bad. I've found THE cure for the worst of sunburns - Solarcaine sunburn pain for the pain plus an anti-inflammatory.
But this is KEY: Vitamin E Oil. It heals very quickly and painlessly, it doesn't sting even when applied over raw skin. Start by applying every 1/2 hour, and you will see an immediate difference. This was a huge blessing for me! You can buy the Walgreens brand which is what I got for only 2.99 (it should be with the creams/balms/lotions.) The bottle is small but a little goes a long way. My bottle is still almost completely full. Trust me this WORKS!
By Samantha
When I was younger and also many times over the years I have heard, read, and had people tell me to put vinegar on a sunburn. DO NOT do this! Sure, it may work on some people, but for those of us who it doesn't work on, it can cause a lot of pain! I got sunburned one year and someone put vinegar on me, I couldn't get in the shower fast enough. And even the shower hurt! I was literally screaming in pain.
Another thing I don't like to use is Aloe Vera gel. If you can find it in a lotion, it would probably be good. But the gel dries out my skin and really makes the sunburn hurt. So I use an after-sun type lotion. It doesn't really matter what brand. But the lotion will keep your skin from getting dry and getting that "shrinking" feeling that hurts so bad with a burn.
Source: Reddish blond hair, fair skin, lots of past sunburns!
By Cricket from Parkton, NC
I keep a bottle of aloe vera in the fridge. It is very soothing.
By christine l from IN
This article contains several tips, product reviews and step by step treatments for sunburn as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. If you have a favorite remedy that hasn't been listed, post it below.
What is something that you can use to relieve sunburns other than aloe vera gel. I have sensitive skin and I am very liight skinned and can't tan. Aloe vera doesn't work much for me. I had a friend who used vitamin E pills but they didn't do much either.
Ashley in Ohio :)
How can I help take the sting out? I can't even sleep it's so bad. What can I do? I also have a pretty bad sunburn on my entire face, do you have any ideas on how to help the sting?
I have tried aloe on my windburn and it didn't work.
By Gabrielle A. from Titusville, FL
By kemperjl
03/31/2012
Take some aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofin, or naproxen. They are anti-inflammatory drugs that are readily available. That will cool the burn.
For about 2 weeks I've had a sunburn on my scalp. It's annoying and it looks like I have dandruff. It's flaky and looks really bad. I read online to put aloe After Sun on it. I found this stuff around my house called Key Lime Lotion and it's an after sun product. I put a glop in my hair, used a comb and brushed it through. I have to leave this in for 2-3 hours. Is there something easier I can do to get rid of the flakiness, without my hair looking greasy?
By Lovey from MD
By tyngsbaran
08/04/2010
Try apple cider vinager on areas. Or cold tea bags. Good luck Invest in sunscreen
What is something that you can use to relieve sunburns other than aloe vera gel. I have sensitive skin and I am very light skinned and can't tan.
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