Sunburn home remedies
This is how the power of nature helps against sunburn
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Sunburn is no small thing – and it should be treated properly. These sunburn home remedies gently soothe the skin.
What is sunburn?
Our skin is our largest organ, but also quite sensitive: If you are exposed to too much sunlight or UV radiation, sunburn can develop quickly. This occurs because the body releases chemical messengers that cause inflammation in response to exposure to the sun. The blood circulation in the burned skin areas is increased and the sunburn causes reddening, burning and pain, among other things.
Light skin is generally more sensitive to sunburn, but children’s skin also suffers burns quickly. If you get sunburnt more often, you not only risk that the skin ages faster, but also the development of skin cancer. That’s why it’s best to protect your skin from sunburn with sunscreen from the start.
First aid: immediate tips and sunburn home remedies
If you notice the first signs of sunburn, the first thing you should do is get out of the sun and cool the skin – this works best with a damp cloth that has been dipped in 15 to 20 degree cold water. While the sunburn heals, the skin should no longer be exposed to the sun. Accordingly, it is always better to cover it with airy clothing if going into the sun cannot be avoided. In addition, the skin needs more liquid than usual – so if you get sunburned, you should drink a lot, preferably 2.5 to three liters of water a day.
Sunburn home remedies: These are the best
Sunburn home remedies are the best way to get rid of the pain quickly. These help particularly gently:
- Aloe Vera against sunburn: Aloe Vera moisturizes and soothes inflamed skin — no wonder it’s used in most sunburn treatment products. But it does not necessarily have to be the gel from the pharmacy! Anyone who has the plant at home can simply cut off a piece and gently rub the escaping gel-like liquid onto the burned skin. This accelerates regeneration after sunburn.
- Quark or yoghurt wrap: An effective alternative to aloe vera are cooling packs with quark or yoghurt, which can also effectively cool the painful skin caused by sunburn. To do this, spread the mass on a dry and clean tea towel, fold it in and place the wrap on the burns. This not only cools, but also relieves inflammation of sunburn as a home remedy.
- Black Tea and Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea and black tea are also good home remedies for sunburn, because they have an anti-inflammatory effect and are great care for irritated skin. It is best to store used tea bags in the refrigerator and then place them on the sunburn. If the bags get warm, they should be replaced.
- Healing earth against sunburn: Healing earth also cools and cares for sunburn. It is mixed with cool water to form a paste and applied to the burned skin. If the healing earth has dried, it is also washed off with cool water.
- Arnica: In the form of a gel, arnica, like aloe vera, is often used as a home remedy for sunburn because of its anti-inflammatory effect. Depending on the product, the gel is carefully applied and gently massaged in several times a day.
- oak bark: Oak bark contains tannins that can help against itching on the skin. That is why it is often used as a home remedy for sunburn. To do this, two tablespoons of oak bark (pharmacy) should be boiled with 250 milliliters of water for about 15 minutes. Then the mixture is strained and should cool. Finally, the brew is poured onto a clean cloth and placed on the itchy skin caused by sunburn.
By the way: Although apple cider vinegar is a popular home remedy for all sorts of ailments, it should not be used for sunburn. Because the apple cider vinegar could irritate the skin even more. And: If the home remedies alone don’t help, it can also make sense to use after sun.
Tips for sunburn: Beware of severe burns!
Important to know: Not every sunburn is suitable for treatment with a home remedy. Only minor first-degree burns, which are noticeable through symptoms such as itching, redness and burning, are suitable. If you have blisters or open wounds, you should never treat the sunburn yourself, but only from a doctor. Even if the following symptoms occur, sunburn should be treated by a doctor:
These symptoms can also indicate sunstroke or heat stroke – both clinical pictures can be significantly more dangerous than a simple sunburn.
The 9 best home remedies from around the world
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The right sun protection: Sunburn is better avoided
When sunbathing, the best way to protect your skin (especially face, shoulders, arms and back) from sunburn or sunstroke is to wear the right clothing or sunscreen (pay attention to the sun protection factor!). If you can prevent sunburn, you don’t even need home remedies for painful and reddened skin. But if it did happen despite sun protection, sunburn should not be considered and treated as a trifle.
Reading Tips: Would you like more information about sunburn? We’ll tell you everything you need to know about sunburn duration and baby sunscreen.
Sources
- Wenzel, P.: Houseapotheke, Graefe and Unzer Verlag, 2006
- Jänicke, C. & Grünwald, J.: Alternative healing, Graefe and Unzer Verlag, 2006
- Die0 Faber, S. et al.: The TRIAS manual: Treat yourself properly, Georg Thieme Verlag, 2007
- Klimm, H.-D.: General Medicine, Georg Thieme Verlag, 6th edition, 2018