Sunburn is essentially a radiation burn on your skin. The result is pink/red skin that peels and feels sore to the touch, and it doesn’t occur just because your skin gets hot. The ultraviolet (UV) rays are what actually cause the reaction.
As well as soreness, an individual with sunburn will also experience fatigue, dizziness and sometimes confusion. In very extreme cases, UV radiation can be life threatening, which is why it’s so important to drink plenty of water and stay in the shade as much as you can on sunny days. Humans are not designed to stay out in the sun for long periods of time.
While in most cases sunburn will disappear over a matter of days and weeks, in some cases it can be much more serious. It’s important that you wear sunscreen at all times when you’re out in the sun, and that those who live in hot climates take meticulous care of their skin.
For people who are exposed to the sun a lot, the chances of developing non-malignant skin tumors is much higher than in most people. Simply wearing a tee shirt, hat and sunglasses can help stop these tumors from developing – and interestingly, moderate sun tanning can have a similar effect. By tanning gradually, you can ‘train’ your skin to protect itself.
There are also lots of natural remedies for sunburn. Take a look at these 11 ways to relieve pain!
Cucumber is full of water, making it a hydrating vegetable to not only eat, but to also help provide nourishing relief for your skin. Take one or two fresh cucumbers that have been chilled, and slice it up. Apply cold slices to your skin for immediate relief, and flip them over as they warm up, to keep the skin cool.
On large sunburns, this is obviously not all that effective. So, take those cucumbers and put them in a blender along with a little aloe vera gel, and blend it up into a paste. Don’t blend for too long or it will eventually break down and become fluid.
If you want to make the paste thicker, you can also add some cornstarch. Then, once you’ve got a nice consistency, apply the cold paste to your skin. You’ll notice the swelling and redness on your skin quickly disappear.