Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Ibuprofen and aspirin are popular options. These can help reduce the inflammation around your sunburn, as well as lessen the pain.
Do not give aspirin to children. Instead, opt for something that is specifically marketed as a child's dose of acetaminophen. However, be aware that acetaminophen (Tylenol, Panadol, etc.) does not have an anti-inflammatory effect but may ease any pain.
Use an anti-inflammatory paste. Suitable topical applications include aloe vera, cortisone cream, or other soothing agent specified as suitable for irritated and sunburned skin (see section below). If you don't have any of these, you can make an anti-inflammatory paste out of aspirin. Simply crush up a few pills into a powder that's as fine as you can manage, then add water, a few drops at a time, until it turns into a goopy paste. Apply to the affected areas.
Have a cool bath or a very gentle shower
- Bath: Set the water to a cool temperature that's just below lukewarm (that is, not teeth-chattering cold), and relax for 10 to 20 minutes. The temperature will ease the pain, and the water will stop your skin from becoming as irritated. Repeat as often as you need to.
- Shower: Again, keep the temperature just below lukewarm and also use a very gentle flow or just a sprinkling of water. If it thunders out, your skin will hurt.
- Avoid using soap, bath oils, or other detergents as you bathe or shower. Any such products will irritate your skin and possibly make the effects of the sunburn feel even worse.
- If you have blisters forming on your skin, take a bath instead of showering. The pressure from the shower might pop your blisters.
- When you get out, don't rub your skin dry with a towel. Instead, let yourself air dry, or pat the towel over your skin in small, gentle movements.
Apply cold compressions to your skin. If you're not in a situation where you can bathe, or you'd just prefer not to, you can instead apply cold, wet compressions to your skin. Dampen a washcloth or other piece of fabric with cold water, and lay it over the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes. Re-wet it as often as you need to.
- Usually, sunburn does not require a doctor’s care. However, if you are running a fever, see a doctor, as that would indicate possible heatstroke.
- Try to use aloe vera after sun lotion, it is very soothing. Not kidding here: Dab a little yogurt on your burn.
- Put your lotion in the refrigerator to make it cold and soothing.
- Do not put any heat on your sunburn, such as a heat compress. This will intensify the pain.
- Don't use lotions with Benzociade or any form of alcohol because they can irritate the skin further and cause pain.
- It may heal faster if you take a piece of fresh aloe, put it in the blender, skin and all, and apply the mixture to the sunburned area.
- If you are applying aloe or other gels, make sure not to rub it in completely, as this could irritate your skin even more.
- Do not let anyone touch or slap your sunburn. This can end up hurting severely.
- Avoid wearing wool or synthetic fabrics over a sunburn. You'll be most comfortable with no or loose clothing on the affected area.
- Mild baby soap in a luke warm bath will ease pain and hydrate the affected skin.
- Use solarcaine aloe gel with lidocaine to reduce sunburn pain. This can be found at your local drugstore OTC.
- Don't go out in the sun a few days after you have completely healed. You don't want irritation towards the skin too early.
- If you began to feel irritation on your skin avoid the sun and find some shade.
- It's a good idea to purchase a waterproof sunscreen and apply it liberally whether you think you'll be going in the water or not.
- If you are prone to sunburns, examine yourself regularly for signs of skin cancer and know of other risk factors you may have. A list of risk factors for skin cancer can be found at:http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-cancer/DS00190/DSECTION=risk-factors
- Try to avoid going outside without the right kind of sunscreen. Use the SPF 45 sunscreen if you are going outside.
- Dice a potato and put in a blender until pulp, mix in a tablespoon of oats or oatmeal and add a little water if too dry. Blend it all together. Apply a thick layer to the burnt area and cover with gauze or clean linen. Leave for one hour and rinse with cool water. Reapply if necessary. The starch in the potatoes and oats reduces the redness and swelling. Do not use on broken or blistered skin.
- Take a nice bath of oatmeal before going to sleep or after a long day out.
- Dab some milk on your shoulder and wait for about a minute and dry with paper towel it takes away a little of the pain try it.
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