Sunburn Itching
Learn Tips for Treating Sunburn Itching
Sunburn itching is not an uncommon problem; millions of people get sunburned every year and experience the unpleasant symptoms of sunburn, which happens to include itching. Of course it is always best to prevent getting sunburned in the first place, but if you do get burned despite your best prevention efforts you can be sure that the experience will be uncomfortable.
Sunburns can vary in severity; some may be bad enough to require medical attention while less severe burns can be treated at home. Included in this article are some tips to help you treat sunburn itching, as well as other symptoms of sunburn.
- Cold Water or Ice: One of the most common methods of treating sunburn itching, and pain is to place cold water or ice on the skin that has been burned. The sooner you do this the better it will treat the burn. By placing cold water or ice on the area that is burned it will help to reduce the skin’s temperature, and possibly prevent the skin from blistering. If a large area of your body has been burned you will need to soak in a tub of cool water to bring the skin temperature down.
- Over the Counter Medication: One way to help relieve sunburn itching and pain is to take an over the counter medication, such as aspirin. This will help to relieve inflammation of the skin so that it reduced pain and itching due to over exposure of the sun.
- Aluminum Acetate Creams: It is when the skin is healing than sunburn itching is at its worst. To help relieve the discomfort associated with sunburn itching you can use a cream that contains aluminum acetate.
- Avoid Harsh Soaps: During the time your skin is healing you will want to avoid using harsh soaps and lotions. These will only dry your skin and make the sunburn itching worse.
- Oatmeal: Another way to treat the itching of sunburn is with oatmeal. To use oatmeal you will have to place a cup or two of dry oatmeal in a cheesecloth; make sure it is fastened closed and run it under cool water, collecting the oatmeal water in a bowl. After you have collected enough of the liquid, soak some compresses in this and place them against your burned skin. You will need to repeat this procedure several times a day, until the skin is no longer itching.
- Aloe Vera: The Aloe Vera plant contains natural healing elements and it works great for sunburn itching and pain. You can purchase creams and lotions that contain Aloe Vera at your local drugstore. If you prefer you can use pure Aloe Vera by simply breaking the leave of the plant and applying the sap from the plant to your burned skin.
- Witch Hazel Lotion: Creams and lotions that contain the herb, Witch Hazel can help reduce inflammation of the skin and soothe sunburn itching. Take a soft cotton cloth and soak a portion of the cloth in the Witch Hazel lotion, you will then gently apply the lotion to the portions of your skin that has been burned.
- Vinegar: Vinegar is a well-known home treatment for relieving sunburn itching. To use this treatment you will need to mix a cup of vinegar with a large bowl of cold water; then soak a cloth in the water and apply the mixture to your skin.
If your sunburn is severe and begins blistering you will want to consult your healthcare provider. This is especially true if you begin to have symptoms such as fever and chills. Some burns from the sun can be bad enough to cause infections and possible consequences to your health.