Mild Sunburns
The key to burn resolution is hydration. The best way to build tolerance to the sun is to gradually expose your skin, without sunscreen, each day. Getting sunburns and excess sun can lead to skin cancer; however, regular exposure is required to make vitamin D and for overall health.
What foods protect the skin from sunburns?
~Antioxidants from fruits and vegetables are the body’s natural sunscreen.
~Before going out into extended sun exposure, make sure to load up on berries, green leafy vegetables, carrots, broccoli, beans, legumes, and green tea. Eating two brazil nuts every day will give you optimal selenium levels, a powerful antioxidant.
In the first stages of the sunburn, try a baking soda bath to draw out the heat and calm inflammation.
Add 1cup of baking soda to a tub of cool to luke warm water. Hot water will further strip the skin of its natural oils.
Stir to dissolve
Soak for up to 20 minutes, rinse off, and pat skin dry
Apply moisturizing treatment
Avoid using soap on your skin because it is drying and irritating
Optional: add a few drops of lavender essential oil
Topical moisturizing treatments
Aloe
Aloe is healing and soothing to the skin. If you have an aloe plant in the house, cut off a section and apply the gel directly to the skin. When buying conventional aloe products look for 100% pure aloe vera, free from alcohols. Remember to store your aloe in the refrigerator.
Easy Cucumber Sunburn Spray
With a lemon juicer, juice a cucumber and add 1/4 cup juice to a jar or spray bottle.
Add 1/4 cup distilled water and 1/8 cup rosewater
Shake well to mix
Apply liberally to sooth and hydrate sunburned or newly tanned skin
Store in refrigerator
Keep no longer than 1-2 weeks
For pain relief, try a vinegar application.
Soak towels in a half water half vinegar solution and apply topically to burned areas. White vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used. The acetic acid in the vinegar helps to sooth, moisturize, and minimize peeling. Avoid contact with broken skin and eyes.
Poison ivy
Homemade Oatmeal Itch Bath
Fill one leg of nylon stocking with 2 cups of oats
Tie stocking end in a knot
Set bath faucet to comfortable temperature
Hold stocking under faucet flowing at full force
Swirl stocking through water several times
Wring stocking out over water
Discard stocking (do not reuse)
Soak in tub for 15 to 20 minutes
Other tips:
~Make sure to cut your fingernails short and scrub under them
~Use a blow dryer on affected areas to relieve itching
~Use pure 100% aloe gel or calendula lotion for the itching and healing
~Green clay packs can be used to speed healing (found at health food stores)
Insect bites & Bee stings
~Apply honey to the area and put a bandage over
~Baking soda & oatmeal baths can help with itching and pain reduction
Basil
Basil is preventive and curative for insect stings or bites. Apply fresh juice to the affected area.
Lemon
Apply fresh lemon juice to the insect bite. Though it may sting a little bit, the lemon juice will help the healing process begin and help to fight off infection.
