Aloe vera cream, which can help with sunburn.
Sunburn can be a painful reminder to forget about sunscreen on a hot summer day. Sunburn is a first or second degree skin burn, depending on the duration and severity of exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Many people take a cold shower to relieve burning skin, but then find that the sunburn worsens. However, a bath will not make sunburn worse and may actually help.
Drink fluids to replenish lost moisture.
The reasons why a shower can worsen the appearance of a sunburn vary. It takes at least two hours after prolonged, unprotected sun exposure for the first signs of redness to appear. It takes almost 24 hours for the full extent of the damage to be visible. Since most people shower after being at the beach or pool or doing some other outdoor activity, it can seem like the shower has aggravated sunburn simply because of the time that has elapsed.
Ultimately, preventive measures and avoiding sunburn are the best ways to treat a sunburn.
Another reason a shower can make a sunburn worse is because most people with sunburn take a cold shower. Cold water closes the skin’s pores, which in turn traps in the heat and can make the skin appear redder. While a cool shower is best, it can make the sunburn look different and retain heat. A hot bath does not close the pores and heat can escape. Hot showers should be avoided with sunburn.
Do not apply Vaseline to sunburned skin.
There are several reasons why a bath can be good for sunburned skin. Water helps hydrate the skin and keep it clean. With proper care, most sunburns resolve with minimal, if any, short-term complications. Keep your skin well hydrated, but don’t apply Vaseline, butter, or any other lubricant that clogs your pores. Aloe is one of the best treatments for sunburn. Many skin lotions and gels contain aloe. Cold compresses made from washcloths or towels also help relieve pain.
Taking a cold shower is a better option than a hot shower after a sunburn.
Drink plenty of fluids to replenish lost moisture and prevent dehydration. Don’t avoid bathing, even if you think it makes your sunburn worse. Clean skin prevents infection, which is rare but can occur, and moisturizing after bathing helps prevent peeling. If you experience severe sunburn or extreme pain, or if the sunburn is accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting, dehydration, or dizziness, you should call your doctor.