With summer in full swing, people are once again bound for the great outdoors and fun in the sun. But whether you're a beach comber, hiker, swimmer, or what have you, the key to enjoying the sun is moderation and good old fashioned common sense. While sunburn does the most damage to your skin, it's always best to avoid excessive tanning as well. Both suntans and sunburns can lead the way to skin cancer so why take the chance?
Unfortunately, if you enjoy a lot of outdoor activity even the most vigilant among us can accidentally get sunburned. And remember that sunburn is called sunburn for a reason. It is an actual burn which damages your skin. It is caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the powerful rays of the sun.
Symptoms of Sunburn
Even very mild sunburn should be avoided and can cause discomfort, but the average sunburn will result in redness, pain, and there may even be a tingling sensation on the skin or some swelling. A sunburn can also come with a slight fever and a headache. Lie down in a cool, quiet room with the curtains drawn and the shades or blinds shut to ease the headache. Be aware that a headache may also be caused by dehydration, so pay attention to what your body is telling you and drink plenty of fluids if you think this is the cause. Your sunburn will last for about three to seven days, and during that time your skin may peel and be itchy. Don't scratch too much or you'll further damage the injured area.
Remedies for Sunburn Relief
When it comes to sunburn, prevention is the most important step you can take. To avoid overexposure to the sun, stay out of direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day, 10 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon, when the sun is the strongest. However, since most of us will experience sunburn from time to time regardless of the protective measures we take, here are some home remedies that may provide at least a modicum of relief from a mild sunburn.
Water
Take a bath in lukewarm water, or a gentle shower to soothe and cool the skin. When you are finished, pat yourself dry with a soft towel -- do not rub, as rubbing can add to the damage already done to your skin. A cooling wet towel compress will also help. Use this on the affected areas for about 15 minutes, several times a day.Moisturizer
Carefully apply a gentle, unscented moisturizer to the skin, preferably something with aloe vera in it.Milk
If the sunburn covers a large area of your body, or is particularly painful, you might try soaking a washcloth in cold milk and placing that on the affected area. This should help ease that scorched feeling and the milk will create a protective film that will help shield the burn so that it's not as painful.Stay Hydrated
Drink lots of water or juice to replace body fluids, because when you've been out in the heat and sun for long periods of time the body rapidly loses water.Avoid Sun
Do not, I repeat, do not spend any length of time in the sun until the burn heals. Sunburns, especially severe ones can increase your risk for skin cancer. So the next time you are out in the sun, make certain that you do not burn! And in case you haven't thought of it, do not use tanning booths to get a tan. This can also lead to skin damage and skin cancer. You might not pay the price right away, but you could very well pay dearly in the future, so be careful.
