We all know the drill when the temperature rises: slather on sunscreen, wear a hat, and limit sun exposure. But sometimes plans go awry – maybe you forgot to reapply sunscreen, or perhaps you dozed off in the sun.
Ireland recently experienced its hottest day of the year, with temperatures nearing 30°C in some areas, meaning some of us might be dealing with sunburn.
While most sunburns will fade with time, seek immediate medical attention for extreme burns accompanied by high fever, blisters, or signs of heat exhaustion like dizziness and headaches.
For milder sunburns that are painful and uncomfortable, here are some soothing remedies.
This is obvious, but crucial: at the first sign of skin prickling or tenderness, seek shade immediately. If you’re already sunburned, avoid further sun exposure. Give your skin a rest.
There’s little worse than scorched, uncomfortable skin. Cooling your skin offers relief, even if it doesn’t magically heal the burn. Try sponging your skin with cold water, applying a cool compress to affected areas, or taking a cool bath or shower to ease the sting.
Sunburn often indicates prolonged sun exposure, increasing the risk of dehydration. While hydrating won’t directly soothe your skin, it can prevent heat exhaustion symptoms like headaches and dizziness.
Aloe vera can alleviate irritation on sunburnt skin. If you have an aloe vera plant, use the gel from its leaves. Otherwise, choose products with a high percentage of aloe.
If sunburn pain is severe, over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen can provide some comfort.
