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Spending a day at the beach or by the pool is one of the best things to do during the summer. Just remember to bring your sunscreen, swimmies for the little ones, and lots of water to keep yourself hydrated.
But what if you forget to bring sunscreen or it washes off while you are swimming? Then you are likely to get sunburned. One-in-three Americans experience sunburns every year, according to Forbes. For some people getting a sunburn is just an annoyance but for others sunburns can cause lasting damage and it can increase the risk of skin cancer.
How you treat a sunburn depends on the severity, but it is important to get out of the sun and cool your skin down to help stop the damage as soon as possible. Here are five natural sunburn remedies that really work.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a medicinal plant and is something you should have at home. That’s because the gel in the Aloe leaves helps to keep your skin moist and promotes faster wound healing. Aloe is especially good for sunburns because it has a cooling effect and that’s why you should always keep pure aloe vera gel in your beach bag.
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Baking Soda and Oatmeal
Taking a cool bath with a few teaspoons of baking soda and a cup of oats – or you can use an oatmeal bath mix –will help to minimize sunburn damage according to Healthline. Oats help to soothe irritation and keep your skin moist. But do not scrub your skin in the bath and dab yourself dry with a towel. You need to pamper your damaged skin until it heals.
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Chamomile Tea
While chamomile tea is a way to calm and relax you, it can also help calm sunburned skin. Brew the tea and then let it cool down. When it is completely cooled, soak a washcloth in the tea and gently apply it to your sunburned skin. But do not use this remedy if you are allergic to pollen or you risk adding an allergic rash to your already painful and itchy skin.
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Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is commonly used in skin products because it is healing, according to a blog on the SunDoctors’ website. That’s because the plant contains tannins that can help reduce swelling and redness. To help soothe your sunburn, use witch hazel to make a cool compress and gently apply to the sunburned area.
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Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a very popular moisturizer and has hydrating benefits. But you should cool your skin down and wait a few days before using it because coconut oil traps moisture in your skin, but it can also trap heat. I used too soon; coconut oil could worsen the symptoms instead of helping. Remember to stay out of the sun and wear loose clothing until your skin is healed.
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