WILDWOOD SUNBURN PREVENTION and TIPS FROM ISLAND REALTY GROUP

Minimize your exposure to the sun at midday and between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 PM

Apply sunscreen with at least a SPF-30 or higher, to all areas of the body which are exposed to the sun

Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days. Reapply after swimming or perspiring

Wear clothing that covers your body and shades your face

Protect your children. Keep them from excessive sun exposure when the sun is strongest (10:00AM and 3:00PM), and apply sunscreen liberally and frequently to children 6 months of age and older

Do not use sunscreen on children under 6 months of age. Parents with children under 6 months of age should severely limit their children's sun exposure

Avoid exposure to UV radiation from sunlamps or tanning parlors

Always consult a physician with your questions concerning the health effects of UV exposure

Use an aloe-vera lotion containing a sun-block. This will cut out 90% of the burning rays and allow 75% of the tanning rays to reach the skin

Remember - If you turn bright red, get blisters, have fever, chills and nausea -
CONSULT A DOCTOR

If you should get sunburned here are some old fashioned remedies that may help. Don't forget the best remedy is prevention as a severe sunburn is no laughing matter. Always consult a medical professional!

Aloe - Take as many leaves as necessary from an aloe plant; refrigerate; peel off top layer of leaves; apply the side of the leaf with flesh exposed directly to the sunburn. Other remedies use aloe vera juice: for mild to medium sunburn, keep the affected area moist with aloe vera juice. Repeat frequently. This will reduce the pain and the amount of peeling. Aloe vera ointment works well, too, as it contains oil and will not evaporate. For a severe sunburn, keep the area moist at all times with aloe vera juice. Since aloe vera is an astringent, you may want to use aloe vera ointment or some sort of oil, such as olive or baby

Aloe Juice - Combine the aloe juice with ½ the amount of vitamin E. Dab on the sunburn. Vitamin E is a good moisturizer

Apple cider vinegar - Apply apple cider vinegar to the burn with a cotton ball to relieve the pain. Keep the skin moistened. This remedy will prevent blistering and peeling

Aspirin - Aspirin kills the pain and reduces inflammation and redness of a sunburn. It short-circuits the whole sunburn process. It must be taken within 24 hours of getting sunburned

Baking soda - Dissolve some baking soda in water and make a compress using a clean cloth. Another remedy is to add 1/2 cup of baking soda to a tepid bath and soak. Instead of drying the affected area with a towel, let it air dry. Baking soda is cooling and will help the skin retain moisture

Baths - Add 20 drops of each of lavender and chamomile essential oils to a tubful of cool water and soak for 10 minutes

Bergamot - Add bergamot oil to cool bathwater

Calendula - Put 20 drops of calendula tincture in four ounces of water and bathe the skin until the pain goes away

Cucumber - Rub sunburned area with fresh cucumber slices

Epsom Salts - Dissolve Epsom salts in water and make a compress using a clean cloth

Ice - Apply ice or cold water to the burned area. This will stop the burning process and cool the skin

Lavender - Mix 20-25 drops of lavender oil in one cup of water and bathe the sunburned area

Lemon Water - Mix the juice of three lemons into two cups of cold water and sponge on the sunburn. The lemon will cool the burn, act as a disinfectant, and will promote healing of the skin

Milk - Make a compress of whole milk (or buttermilk) and apply to the burned area for 20 minutes; repeat every two to four hours. Wash the milk off so you won't smell sour! The fat content of the milk is soothing for burns

Oil - Cover the area with cooking oil and sprinkle powdered ginger on the oil. This will promote healing

Onion - Bruise an onion and rub on the burn

Peppermint - Apply peppermint oil to the sunburned skin. You can also make a mild peppermint infusion and use it as a wash to cool the sunburn

Potato - Grate a potato and apply it to the burned area. The starch will cool and soothe the burn

St. Johns Wart - Make an ointment or salve with the essential oil of St. Johns Wort for burns that have not broken the skin. It is antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial

Tea - Make some tea, cool, and apply to the burn. While any tea may be beneficial, mint tea, such as peppermint or spearmint are especially good. The teas have tannins that help the healing process

Urtica Urens - Put 20 drops of urtica urens tincture in four ounces of water and bathe the skin. This remedy is good for itchy, prickly skin

Witch Hazel - Make a decoction of witch hazel and apply with a compress

Yarrow - Native Americans used an infusion of ground yarrow as a wash

Yogurt - Apply plain yogurt with live cultures

Click here to see more Sunburn Remedies at Health 911

See also:
Wildwood Beach & Ocean Safety Tips Jellyfish & other Beach Hazards