Are you looking for an easy and inexpensive way to ease the pain of sunburn? If so, could baking soda be the solution? Does baking soda help sunburn?
I’m going to share whether sunburn can help you with painful sunburn, to reduce redness and discomfort. So, keep on reading to find out more…
What Happens To The Skin During Sunburn?
When you spend too much time under the sun, your skin is exposed to the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays which can cause sunburn.
Sunburn damages the outer layers of your skin, causing it to turn red, inflamed, and sometimes even blistered. It’s important to understand the underlying process and be aware of the potential hazards.
During sunburn, the ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin’s surface, causing damage to the skin cells and DNA.
This damage triggers an inflammatory response in the body, which leads to the redness and swelling commonly associated with sunburn.
If the skin cells are unable to repair the DNA damage, they may die and peel away, revealing new skin underneath.
The heat that you feel when your skin is burning is due to the increase in blood flow to the damaged areas.
This is your body’s way of trying to heal the damage done by the sun; however, the healing process can be slow and painful.
It is also important to note that sunburn causes long-term harm beyond the immediate pain and discomfort.
Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays increases your risk of developing skin cancer.
When protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure, using sunscreen products and treating sun burns as soon as it occurs, you are investing in your long-term health, and preventing blisters.
Which Sunburn Remedies Help With Sunburned Skin To Reduce Inflammation?
Sunburns can be painful and uncomfortable, but there are several home remedies that can help soothe your skin and reduce inflammation.
Some of these remedies can be found right in your home, while others are available at your local drugstore.
One popular home remedy for sunburn relief is baking soda. You can mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with water to make a paste and apply it on the affected area, leaving it for about 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing it off with cool water.
Baking soda has anti-inflammatory properties and helps balance the pH of your skin, which can alleviate irritation.
Aloe vera is another widely known sunburn remedy. Its soothing and moisturizing properties help heal sunburned skin.
Applying aloe vera gel to the affected areas can provide immediate relief. You can either use fresh aloe vera from the plant or purchase aloe vera gel from the store.
Ibuprofen and other non-prescription pain relievers can be taken to help reduce pain and inflammation from the sunburn.
This can make your sunburned skin feel more comfortable while it heals.
An oatmeal bath might also help soothe sunburned skin. Add a cup of oats to a cool bath and soak for about 20 minutes.
The oatmeal’s anti-inflammatory properties will help calm your irritated skin.
Applying cucumber slices or cold chamomile tea bags to the sunburned area can also provide relief.
Both contain anti-inflammatory compounds that help to soothe your skin.
As your skin heals from the sunburn, you need to keep it moisturized to minimize peeling and itching. Use fragrance-free, gentle lotions to avoid irritating the skin further.
Another sunburn remedy is apple cider vinegar. Some people find that applying diluted apple cider vinegar to the sunburned area can alleviate the pain and provide a cooling sensation.
However, be cautious when applying vinegar to your skin as it can cause irritation in some cases.
Overall, it’s essential to drink plenty of water, as sunburn can cause dehydration. Keeping yourself hydrated aids in skin recovery and helps prevent further complications.
What Gets Rid Of Sunburn ASAP?
When you’re dealing with a painful sunburn, you want quick relief.
Here’s a rundown of some tried-and-true remedies to help soothe your sunburned skin and promote healing:
- Aloe Vera: Apply aloe vera gel directly to the skin for a cooling effect and to help soothe irritation. Look for a product containing at least 90% pure aloe for best results.
- Oatmeal: Take a bath with ground oatmeal added to the water. This can help reduce itching and inflammation, providing relief for your sunburned skin.
- Cucumber: Place thinly sliced cucumbers onto your burn for instant cooling and to help soothe your skin.
- Baking Soda: Soak in a cool bath with a few tablespoons of baking soda added to the water. Alternatively, make a paste by mixing baking soda with water and apply it to the affected area for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off with cool water.
- Ibuprofen: Taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen can help reduce swelling and pain associated with sunburn.
- Moisturize: Apply a gentle, fragrance-free lotion to keep your skin moisturized and promote healing.
- Chamomile Tea: Apply cooled chamomile tea bags directly to the skin, or add brewed tea to your bathwater for soothing relief.
- Hydrocortisone Cream: Use an over-the-counter low-strength (1%) hydrocortisone cream to help soothe sunburns, especially if itching is a concern.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Dilute apple cider vinegar with water and gently apply them to your sunburned skin with a washcloth. These treatments can help reduce inflammation and provide some relief.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help your body recover from sunburn and prevent dehydration.
Does Baking Soda Help Sunburn?
Baking soda is a versatile household item that has various uses, including helping with sunburn relief.
When you experience sunburn, you’re likely experiencing the effects of a painful, itchy, and inflamed skin.
Luckily, baking soda can help soothe sunburned skin and relieve some of the associated discomforts.
One of the main ways baking soda helps sunburn is by acting as a mild alkaline.
When applied to the affected area, baking soda can neutralize the acidic environment on the skin, which helps alleviate the burning and itching sensations.
This is especially helpful when the sunburn causes your skin to become itchy and irritated.
Another benefit of using baking soda for sunburn treatment is its exfoliating properties.
When mixed with water and applied to the affected area, baking soda gently exfoliates the skin, which can help remove dry and flaky skin caused by sunburn.
To utilize baking soda for sunburn relief, you can create a simple paste by mixing 2 tablespoons of baking soda with enough water to achieve a smooth consistency.
Apply this paste to the sunburned area using a cotton ball, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse with cool water. You can repeat this process as needed for continuous relief.
As well as making a paste, you can also add baking soda to a cool bath. Add about 2 ounces (60 grams) of baking soda to a tub filled with cool water, and soak in it for about 10 minutes.
This can provide a soothing and calming sensation for your sunburned skin.
How To Use Baking Soda To Treat Sunburn
Baking soda is a friendly home remedy that can help relieve sunburn discomfort.
There are several ways you can use baking soda to treat sunburn, so let’s take a look at a couple of simple methods.
Method 1: Baking Soda Cool Bath
Prepare a cool bath and add some baking soda to soothe your sunburn. Follow these steps for an effective cool bath:
- Fill your bathtub with cool water, ensuring the temperature is comfortable but not too cold.
- Add about 1/2 cup of baking soda, gently stirring it into the water.
- Immerse yourself in the cool bath and soak for 15-20 minutes.
- Gently pat yourself dry with a soft towel, avoiding excessive rubbing on the sunburned areas.
This method will help alleviate itchiness and provide a cooling effect on your sunburn.
Method 2: Baking Soda Paste
Another way to treat sunburn with baking soda is to create a paste that you can apply directly to your burn. Here’s how to do it:
- In a small bowl, mix a few tablespoons of baking soda with water to form a paste. Make sure the consistency is thick enough to hold on to the affected skin.
- Gently apply the paste onto your sunburn using your fingertips or a soft cloth, being careful not to rub hard.
- Let the paste sit on the sunburn for about 5-10 minutes.
- Rinse off the paste with cool water and pat dry with a soft towel.
Repeat this process as needed to aid in soothing your sunburn. Remember to stay hydrated and keep your skin moisturized during the healing process.
What Will Draw Heat Out Of A Sunburn?
Feeling the heat from a recent sunburn? Don’t worry, there are a few things you can do to draw the heat out and soothe your skin. Here are some methods to try:
- Take a cool bath with baking soda: Adding about 2 ounces (60 grams) of baking soda to a tub of cool water can help alleviate the heat from your sunburn. Soaking your entire body in this mixture can provide relief and soothe your skin. Make sure to limit the soaking time to about 10 minutes several times a day.
- Apply a cold compress: If you want to target specific areas of your skin, make a cold compress by placing a few ice cubes in a bowl of water and dipping a clean cloth in it. Apply the compress to your skin to help draw out the heat. Remember not to apply the ice directly onto your skin.
- Use aloe vera or calamine lotion: These can be particularly soothing for sunburnt skin. Apply a moisturizer, aloe vera lotion or gel, or calamine lotion to the affected areas to help cool the skin and provide relief from itching as well.
- Hydrate: Drinking plenty of water is important when dealing with sunburn as it helps your body cool down and replenish lost fluids. Staying hydrated will aid in the healing process and can make you feel more comfortable.
Does Putting Ice Or Cool Water On A Sunburn Help?
Yes, applying cool water or using a cold compress can provide relief, when you get sunburn or skin irritation from bad sunburn. When your skin has been overexposed to the sun, it becomes inflamed, painful, and hot to the touch.
Cooling down the affected area with cool water helps soothe the skin by reducing inflammation and providing temporary relief from pain.
It’s essential, however, not to apply ice directly on your sunburned skin. Direct contact with ice can cause further damage to your skin, including frostbite.
Instead, wrap the ice in a clean cloth or towel before applying to the affected area, to cool sunburn fast.
Alternatively, you can use a cold compress or a cloth dipped in cool water to gently dab on the sunburned skin. This helps avoid causing unnecessary harm while still providing the desired cooling effect.
Another beneficial tip is to take a cool bath or shower. This will not only cool off your skin but also help remove any sweat and dirt that may have accumulated on your sunburned skin.
You can even add a few tablespoons of baking soda to the bathwater. Baking soda has soothing properties and can help alleviate itchiness associated with sunburns.
Summary
So, does baking soda help sunburn? Yes, it can be used to help relieve a variety of symptoms associated with sunburn – including pain, itching, inflammation, and discomfort.
Baking soda is an effective home remedy as it helps reduce the acidic environment in the skin caused by overexposure to the sun and acts as a gentle exfoliator.
It can also be added to bathwater to provide further relief for your damaged skin.
To use baking soda for treating sunburns, make a paste by mixing 2 tablespoons of baking soda with water and apply it on the affected area for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off with cool water.
Alternatively, add some baking soda to a cool bath and soak for about 10 minutes to soothe your skin.
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