I hate to admit this and even say it out loud, but I can't even count on my fingers and toes the number of sunburns I suffered through when I was growing up. Forget about sunscreen, I was slathering baby oil on my skin to attract all the rays right to me. I know I can't be alone in this horrible way of treating our skin all in the name of a tan that lasts for all of a few weeks before peeling off into oblivion.
Luckily, my brains and senses grew up and I became a much more responsible hat wearing adult. Now, as a mother of a beautiful kiddo whose skin must be protected I worry about the sun and how to keep that beautiful baby skin safe from that nasty burn. There is a lot of research out there on the reasons to use and not to use sunscreen. My main objective is moderation when it comes to playing out in the sun. And luckily, but little one loves to wear hats. But last week as summer unexpectedly came rolling in on a cloudy cool day, I found myself staring at my babes little arms glowing with a burn from his elbows to his wrists. AHH!! What to do?
The great moms at Circle of Moms asked the same question and got some great answers. Here are just a few tips on what to do once the sunburn has happened to you or your loved ones:
1. Aloe Vera Gel
Well known as a skin soother, aloe is one of the most commonly recommended and effective sunburn remedies. "Aloe, Aloe, aloe, and more aloe," Jennifer M. recommends, and Kellie T. agrees: "Aloe Vera gel would be the best!"
2. Vinegar
Vinegar for sunburn? Absolutely! Numerous Circle of Moms members recommend applying a vinegar-soaked cloth (often apple-cider vinegar) to sunburned skin to ease the heat and sting. As Jodi K. shares: "I swear by vinegar! I know it sounds nasty and painful, but every time I've gotten a sunburn I dab on white vinegar with a washcloth, it takes the sting off the burn - the heat of the burn - right out of your skin! It will also keep you from blistering or peeling if you haven't already. Seriously, give it a try!"
3. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is an easy at-home remedy for sunburn, as Cara S. shares: "When my husband had a really bad sun burn I sponged him down with a washcloth filled with oatmeal. The oatmeal soothed the pain and stopped the itch." Rori C. adds: "If you have any Aveeno Oatmeal Bath Packets on hand, those are great."
4. Vitamin E
"You might want to try some Vitamin E," recommends Jessica K., one of several moms who advised that Vitamin E in various forms can aid your skin's healing process. Either pop open a Vitamin E gel cap and apply it to the area, or find a cream with Vitamin E at the drugstore.
5. Baking Soda
Yet another of baking soda's many household uses is relieving itchy skin caused by a sunburn. "A bath with baking soda and/or [a] cold shower can be helpful when the itching starts."
Read the entire list HERE at CircleOfMoms.com.
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