I could really use some help with this sunburn...

[mama22qts]

Ok, so I was out in the sun here at the beach for 4 1/2 HOURS the other day, and I thought I put sunscreen on everywhere. Turns out I got the kids covered completely, but I didn't get my chest or tummy at all. Stupid, I know, but I got distracted by the kids and completely forgot.

This was two days ago and I'm still in horrible pain!

It doesn't help that I'm a natural blonde, fair skinned, blue eyed woman.

I'm dying here!

What's the best remedy for the itching/swelling/burning? I've been slathering on moisturizer as best I can (it really hurts!) and I have been taking Tylenol. I tried some Aleve this morning and it didn't do a darn thing. What takes the sting out?

[YouPdWhat]

Get in a tub of water & add in vinegar. It will take away the burning & help to soothe. Can also be applied with wash rag if needed to face, etc. Aloe also works wonders.

[hotcouponmama]

Oatmeal tub will help too. Aloe afterwards. And take a tylenol for the pain!

[mama22qts]

Ok, now I gotta figure a CVS deal for the aloe. Is that stuff sticky?

Oatmeal -- does it need to be colliodal or just regular oatmeal?

[berlinsmommy]

Also, Vitamin E applied directly to the skin helps a LOT! I like it better than aloe. You can buy it in liquid form (the best), use a pin so prick a hole in a gel cap of Vitamin E, or buy Vitamin E gel (Banana Boat used to make it, not sure if they still do), but it is not 100% Vitamin E.

[littlereddeer1]

noxema

[kurlisola]

I don't know if I'd be putting moisturizer on it this soon, seems to me they are oily & would exacerbate the pain?

I have some of that banana boat blue gel; haven't had to use it yet. But I'd use something like that (or the cvs brand) or aloe? Something cool and soothing, not a moisturizer.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Jenna26]

noxema

Yes! We always used Noxzema when I was a kid. It feels so soothing.

Also aloe, especially the leaves from a plant. Tear a leaf open and rub the goo where it burns.

Hope you feel better soon!

[mama22qts]

I'm going to stop and get some of these things at the store this afternoon. I'm normally SO into sun-protection because of where we live; I cannot believe I got myself into this mess. I think I will start putting MY sunscreen on at home before we leave. That way I know I'm taken care of.

[hopeky94]

Another thing on the aloe-- yes, the aloe gel can be sticky; but Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropics (maybe others too) also make an aloe lotion. I've got a bottle of the Hawaiian Tropics kind, and it is NOT sticky, and it seems to soak in real well! :) And for maximum relief, I keep the bottle in the fridge-- wow-whee, talk about cold! LOL

Of course, straight aloe from an aloe plant is best, but those aren't always available... I've never tried Vitamin E on a sunburn, but my dad used it daily for help fading a new surgical scar. So I know it's supposed to do something to replenish your skin!

But honestly, we all need to be really cautious with a bad sunburn; I had a horrible one on my shoulders about 10 yrs ago, and it turns out I really should have gone to the doctor for it, as it was pretty severe. Someone else that got burned at the same time I did had hospital visit the next day (for an unrelated reason), and when the nurse saw the burn, she immediately put some sort of salve/cream on it-- after a stern fussing to my friend! LOL (But of course, it wasn't until a couple weeks later that I found out the nurse told my friend that I should have come in for treatment as well...) Besides upping your skin cancer risk, there's also sun poisoning to worry about, along with messing with the pigment in your skin (you should see all the freckles and little white dots all over my shoulders now)...

Sorry about the soapbox thing there, just wanted to put out that word of caution to everybody reading this... :)