During the long months of winter, when the days are short and the nights are long, most of us pine for sunlight, which seems to be very hard to find in the months following Thanksgiving and before Easter. But as they say, there is such thing as ‘too much of a good thing,’ and longer exposure to sunlight during the summer months poses a huge health challenge for people the world over.
To help with this, we’re told to lather on the sunscreen before heading out — even if it’s just to run to the supermarket. For those days on the beach, there’s a need to apply and consistently re-apply sunscreen, particularly after going for a dip in the water. But even the most thoughtful or paranoid sunbather can forget to apply sunscreen every hour or so, and the results can be pretty disastrous: a painful, stinging sunburn that can last for days and make sleeping or even wearing clothes incredibly uncomfortable. So, if this happens to you or someone in your family, what home remedies are available to help overcome this pain and discomfort? Let’s take a look at some popular options.
1. Take a Bath
One of the simplest and easiest ways to help alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with a blistering sunburn: go for a bath. Even just soaking the skin in some cool or lukewarm water can help restore some of its elasticity and moisture, providing relief for as long as you’re in the bath and a little while afterwards.
Just be careful about what you put in that bath with you. While it’s always tempting to use this opportunity to apply all kinds of fancy, scented soaps, shampoos, and conditioners, some of these substances can lead to the skin becoming dry, a particularly upsetting result for anyone recovering from a stinging sunburn. Instead, try dissolving some epsom salts in the water; this can help cool and soothe the skin without drying it out.