Please Help Me:( - Kemp,TX

Updated on May 03, 2011
L.C. asks from Kemp, TX
50 answers

hello mom's i need help do any of yall know what works best for sun burn a bad one:( i was at the lake over the weekend and got so sun burnt on my arms and shoulders its killing me to take a shower,are be outside in the heat, im tryin aloe vera gel it helps for a min then im back in pain.do yall know what i can try??? any old school stuff lol.im willing to try anything....thankyou ladys

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E.M.

answers from Johnstown on

Vinegar :) However, if you're blistered, go to the Dr. They have Rx they can give you that works very well for the pain.

3 moms found this helpful
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M.A.

answers from Dallas on

I don't have time to read through all the answers, but most of them look topical. Try using Motrin or Ibuprofen to help with the pain.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.H.

answers from Dallas on

A lot of people find therapeutic grade (like Young Living Brand) lavender essential oil helpful. It's very important that it be real lavender essential oil and not fragrance oil- therapeutic grade is important too.

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S.B.

answers from Chicago on

When I was younger and burned really bad, I remember my aunt (a nurse) told me to put Noxema on it. The real thick cream that comes in a jar. It was cooling and soothing. Also, take some tylenol or ibuprofen.

3 moms found this helpful

G.T.

answers from Modesto on

soak a wash cloth in vinegar and pat it on your skin. it will take the heat out.

3 moms found this helpful

J.C.

answers from Columbus on

There is a spray, I think it is call solarcaine, made just for sunburns (they have a spray for just skin irritations, too, that's not the one you want) that works like magic! It is usually by the sunscreens or first aid supplies in the stores. So sorry for you!

3 moms found this helpful

K.L.

answers from Cleveland on

As an extremely pale, redheaded, irish girl, I have had my fair share of serious sun burns (I have accepted the fact that I am dumb and will never learn!). First, forget the showers, take a cool bath and pour water over your shoulders with a cup. Second, Keep a spray bottle with water and vinegar handy. Any time you start to warm up, spray it on. You will smell like a dill pickle, but it will help, trust me! Third, get this stuff called Ocean Potion Ice http://www.opotion.com/flash/index.html . I usually get it at Walmart. It's a mixture of aloe and lidocaine, and it really helps.
If you get any blisters, head to your doctor. Otherwise, you'll have to wait it out. Stay out of the sun, stay away from caffeine and booze, and drink lots of water.
Good luck and feel better!

3 moms found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Joplin on

can also use 2 percent milk in a bowl dip washrag in it and dot the skin my mother heard of this and me it worked.

2 moms found this helpful
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B.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Drink some Gatorade or Powerade to put fluids back in your body too.

2 moms found this helpful
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J.M.

answers from Kansas City on

Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and spray your burned areas it will help !!

2 moms found this helpful

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

Aloe, tylenol, and cool showers... if it's that bad, you should go get checked for sun poisoning. Take this as a lesson learned to have sunscreen on hand no matter what! Feel better :)

2 moms found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Washington DC on

Good thing you arent' military. You could be charged for damage to military property. hehe My hubby had to always be on the lookout for guys who went ot the beach during leave.

Aloe
Vinegar baths
burn salve, from a dr.
Solarcaine
wear a light tee ot spaghetti strap without a bra
Tylenol or Motrin

And in two weeks have the kids peel off your skin in large sheets, that will be so much fun for them. :o)

2 moms found this helpful
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A.F.

answers from Fargo on

Please, please go to the doctor. I would never get into a hot tub with a sunburn. You could really damage your skin!

If the doc says it's not severe, put extra virgin coconut oil on it. This oil WON'T hold the heat in, will sooth the skin and heal any damage.

I am so sorry this happened to you!

2 moms found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from Cleveland on

vinager and water... the vinager brings the heat to the surfaces and helps bring down the burn... you might smell funny but you will feel better

2 moms found this helpful
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B.C.

answers from Joplin on

apple cider vinegar bath...takes the sting out, then aloe vera gel.

2 moms found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from New York on

make sure to take some Advil or another pain killer... it really does help! You treat it the same way you would treat any other "burn"... loose clothing that breathes (no synthetics), pain killers and topical cream that will allow your skin to breathe and that will allow the heat to escape. Make sure you exfoliate b/c you are going to peel!!

If it's really that bad (sounds like it is), see your dermatologist or general doc... you may need a prescription!

2 moms found this helpful

N.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

Get a spray or get with lidocaine in it (solarcaine brand or banana boat makes a gel squirt version I always keep on hand). Works great for immediate cooling and repeated use to soothe that burn feeling, along with the Tylenol (pain) and ibuprofen (for swelling).

Use suncreen! I always buy the clear spray sunscreen now (doesn't need rubbing on after spraying)...SOOO easy! Covers great! I use it on my daycare children for the last few summers..perfect coverage and no one gets burned..quick and easy to use, no hassel way to cover several kids/people in a few short minutes! No more excuses for sunburn! I just buy the Target generic, even!

I hope you feel better soon!

1 mom found this helpful
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N.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Wet a soft towel in cool water and drape it around your shoulders. The coolness of the towel on your hot skin will ease the pain a little. It works for me. Poor thing, I hope you heal quickly.

1 mom found this helpful

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

here is what we did ... hot shower on the burn ... not scalding but not warm either it helps get the heat out of your body ... tylenol and NON OIL BASED lotion/cream/gel of your choice.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.D.

answers from Dallas on

You can use mustard too. The vinegar in the mustard will help with the burn. I have seen it work. The two people that used it didn't peel. Rub it on and let it get dry then shower off. Good luck

1 mom found this helpful
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J.T.

answers from Dallas on

i'd start with tylenol and motrin(yes, you can take both) for the pain and inflammation. use the aloe vera gel frequently, sometimes if you can get settled into a lukewarm bath, it helps - give it a couple seconds/minutes to stop stinging, then try to soak. heck, if you're able - hit up some benadryl and try to sleep through the first couple of days, then you won't realize the pain. it's tough, you WILL remember sunscreen next time. i'm sorry - i know it hurts :( if you begin feeling "ill", go see a doctor. also, overhydrate yourself the next couple of days and keep the skin MOIST.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

tea extract usually works for me. Some after-sun lotions have tea extract in them, or you can just make a pot of tea, then take the used tea bags and press them to the burn. It will sting for a bit when applying.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

I have one word for you:
Bactine
We use it all the time on sunburns. You just spray it on, rub it in and it feels great. The next day you won't feel anymore pain from your sunburn!
You can buy at any store in the first aide section (where bandaides are).

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Albany on

i use aloe vera lotion. or lotion with the aloe in it. Good Luck

1 mom found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Dallas on

When my mom was burned really badly like that, she had to go to the doctor and get a prescription cream. I'm sorry you're hurting.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Denver on

All good suggestions... and MOTRIN : ). It will help with the pain.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.L.

answers from Dallas on

Ibuprofen. I take 3 every 6 hrs when I need it for pain! Its an anti-inflammatory so it should really help w/a sunburn. You poor thing I pray you find some relief!

1 mom found this helpful

T.L.

answers from St. Louis on

I agree with Angela you should go see the doctor and get a script. We have silvadine (sp?) from our doctor for burns. We got it a long time ago when my sister dropped a plate of food in her lap burning her legs. But this stuff never expires and does wonders for burns. It is also pretty expensive if I remember right.

You may also try a hot tub. It will hurt like H?ll, but this will pull the heat out of your body and even it back out. My neighbor swears by this, but I have only been able to get a leg into the hot tube before being in too much pain to continue.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from Columbus on

First, run cold water on it. It is a radiation burn, and the skin will keep burning, even after you're out of the sun, because of the radiation. So cold clothes can help. Take anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen), and put aloe vera gel on it, a thin layer, several times per day. You can find aloe vera gel with lidocaine in it, which will help with the pain.

If you have to go outside for any length of time, and cannot avoid it, keep the burned area covered in loose, light clothing, or wear a hat if it's your face. Go bra-less if you have to/need to.

However, if you are very red, or have any blisters at all, or it's on your face or hands, go to the doctor ASAP and get it looked it.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.H.

answers from Louisville on

Do you have any baby sunblock? Use it instead of the aloe! And use it a few times a day! Know it sounds silly - but it works (had the burns, too!) Would've been better to have done this the first day - but it should still help some even now! Also take tylenol or such before going to bed - it should help you sleep by taking the edge off.

1 mom found this helpful
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A..

answers from Kansas City on

Take a cool bath in apple cider vinegar.

1 mom found this helpful
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P.L.

answers from Dallas on

Milk of Magnesia. Chill slightly in the fridge, then pour into a bowl. Soak washcloths and lay them over the burned area, keep wet. It takes away the pain, takes away the redness and prevents peeling. Add OTC pain relievers for quicker pain relief. Sounds crazy, but it works! This info came from a pharmacist in FL that helps lots of people with sunburn.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.L.

answers from Tyler on

Bless your heart! I can relate. Being fair-skinned the sun and I are not friends. I got so badly burnt once at a youth retreat with my church I've never forgotten it. The problem I have when I get a bad one is that it is almost too painful to even put the medications on. Noxema is what first came to mind. the next is a maximum strength burn relief gel with lidocaine in it to instantly give you a cooling effect and to soothe the pain. I also have Banana Boat after sun lotion. You've gotten so many responses here. I hope this helps and that you feel relieved soon. Best wishes:)

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

Since I am the fair-skinned, red-haired recipient of many, many bad sunburns, I've done plenty of research. Vinegar patted or sprayed on the skin every 15-30 minutes will take out most of the sting. Coating with plain vinegar helps keep the skin hydrated. Pat strong green tea (cooled) over your skin a few times a day for the first day or two to help minimize the damage to the DNA in your skin.

And drink LOTS of water. Stay entirely out of the sun until you start to heal, or keep your shoulders/arms covered with a lightweight shirt if you must go out.

Putting any sort of oil on it may simply make the burn feel worse, but vitamin E oil after the peeling starts is probably helpful.

Hope you feel better soon.

1 mom found this helpful

C.D.

answers from Columbia on

Benadryl. I use sunscreen and still burn very easily. Someone told me that part of the burn is caused by an allergic reaction to the sun, so that is why Benadryl helps. My routine when I get a sunburn is to break off a coupole of pieces of the aloe plant and rub the gel onto the burn. Then I take some ibuprofen and a Benadryl. It usually reduces my burn considerable in one day.
Good luck! Oh, and be sure to check the expiration dates on your sunscreen!
:)

1 mom found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from Dallas on

white vinegar...put some in a spray bottle & spray onto the sunburned area..let it completely air dry..the smell will only be there until you air dry..but, it completely takes the heat from the burn away!!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.D.

answers from Dallas on

Ibuprofen and vinegar. Watch the aloe with lidocaine you can be allergic to it - I am and it will make the burn worse.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

Sometimes taking a warm bath and slowly turning it to cool will help. I had a BAD burn when I was 13--blisters and such. Taking several baths did help a little bit. Also, cool clothes took away some of the heat that causes the pain.

1 mom found this helpful
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P.F.

answers from Dallas on

I did not read your responses, but taking ibuprofen can help!

Good luck and feel better!

1 mom found this helpful
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R.H.

answers from Dallas on

oatmeal bath or vitamin E cream

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Tyler on

It's probably too late for this, but in the future when you get any sort of burn, be it sunburn or a burn from a hot pan, steam, the oven, etc., keep a bottle of Vitamin E oil and apply it immediately and you won't blister, and the pain will subside within 10 or 15 minutes. We were at South Padre Is. and I didn't notice that my daughter's sunscreen had washed off. She was a lobster!! I left the beach and drove immediately to a drug store and bought the oil. I poured it over her back. The next day she was pink, but no pain, and no blisters. It really works, but needs to be applied ASAP.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.S.

answers from Dallas on

Preparation H! I had a very serious burn over 90% of my body many years ago and went to the ER and that is what they gave me. I was able to sleep with covers and go outside in the heat without it hurting. I also did not have the serious peeling associated with that bad of a burn and had the best tan of my life that year.

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J.D.

answers from Dallas on

I didn't notice anyone mention Noxema - it's a miracle worker. I burn all the time even though I use sunscreen and Noxema has been a godsend. Try it and I hope you heal quickly!

M.A.

answers from Detroit on

I use noxema too, cake it on, let it soak in. Also the aloe gel (place in fridge.)

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A.B.

answers from Dallas on

We use hydrocortizone cream...my MIL used to work at Shriner's burn center and suggested it. We swear by it. Also, apple cider vinegar applied topically helps too! Good luck...there is nothing worse than a sun burn!

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Aloe, tylenol, and cool water (for showers). Make sure the area is completely covered in loose clothing when outside (or the sun will make it worse).

For severe sunburns (when med care isn't available)... the same thing as jellyfish stings... having someone pee on you. (I know. Gross. But it works.)

And... as always... the doctor.

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A.H.

answers from Dallas on

Vinegar & water soak for tub or spray bottle (like everyone is saying), and afterwards Melagel from Melaluca for topical application. There are distributors (usually individuals, kinda like Avon & Tuperware people) that sell the Melaluca hopefully near you, try looking it up online it's all natural & comes in either a tube or small round container, the tube is easier to spread. It really works and takes the pain out right away. Advil, Motrin, or whatever works for you will help subside the pain as well. That's about all you can do until time heals it. BEST OF LUCK!

M.P.

answers from Provo on

Lavender oil. I had a 2nd degree burn on my arm and a family friend got out her lavender oil and put some on a paper towel and I held it on my arm for an hour or so and then the pain was compleately gone. The oil doesn't create a barrier so the skin can't breath, which is what you really want with a burn. Lavender oil and Aloe is your best bet. I'd mix the two and put it on.

M.C.

answers from Pocatello on

I like "burt's bees after sun lotion" myself. Other than that, wear plain cotton clothes and try not to get any more sun exposure! Oh and work hard to drink a lot of water, dehydration will make it twice as hard for your body to heal up!

Pain killers like ibuprofen or tylenol can help a little to take the "edge" off in the meantime... but try not to go overboard! If your skin starts peeling in a few days, try not to scratch or pull the skin off- just apply lotion or cocoa butter until it comes off on its own... you don't want to add to the damage already done!

Also, with lotions, look out for anything that has any kind of alcohol or petroleum in the ingredients- they can dry your skin out and irritate it worse (and burned skin usually drys out a lot)

Good Luck!
-M.

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

OOOOHH!!! I've been there!!!

Dermaplast....that helps.

The other thing that helps me - Mary Kay Night Emoilient (sp)! OH MY!!! I can't tell you how many times I've gone to bed OR my boys have gone to bed with a sun burn or chapped lips (you know the red clown lips?) and wake up and VIOLA!! normal!!!

If you have blisters see your Dr...no joke. DO NOT apply ANYTHING to the blisters.

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