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Take a cool shower or bath -

The cold water will work wonders to decrease your body temperature and reduce inflammation.

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Take a cool shower or bath -

A sunburn can cause your skin to feel warm and tender to the touch. So soaking in a cool bath or taking a cool shower can relieve some of the pain as well.

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Apply aloe vera gel or moisturizer -

Aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve pain and soothe itchy skin.

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Apply aloe vera gel or moisturizer -

Whether out of a bottle or straight from the plant, aloe vera is an effective moisturizer and healing agent for the skin. 

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Take over-the-counter pain relievers -

Over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen or aspirin, can help relieve pain and swelling from a sunburn.

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Take over-the-counter pain relievers -

Make sure to take them as soon as you notice the burn. 

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Avoid further sun exposure -

Exposing a sunburn to UV rays can cause further damage and prolong your healing. 

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Avoid further sun exposure -

Protect your skin by staying out of the sun. If you do go outside, cover your burn. But ideally, avoid the sun until your burn is no longer painful or peeling.

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Drink lots of water -

Sunburns draw fluid away from your body and to the skin's surface, which can cause you to become dehydrated.

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Drink lots of water -

Drinking water can help your body replace fluids as your skin heals. Men should aim to drink 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day, and women about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters). 

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Use a hydrocortisone cream -

Hydrocortisone cream is a corticosteroid that's commonly used to treat skin irritation, swelling, and itchiness affiliated with bug bites or allergic reactions. 

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Use a hydrocortisone cream -

However, hydrocortisone cream can also help manage pain and swelling from sunburns. 

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Apply a cold compress -

Place a cold compress or a damp cloth over the sunburn to cool the skin and relieve pain. Do this several times a day. 

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Apply a cold compress -

Adding a small amount of baking soda to the cool water you dip the cloth in can also help soothe the skin. That's because it contains anti-inflammatory properties, which relieve pain and itching. 

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Wear loose clothing -

Tight clothes can rub against the burnt skin, leading to more blisters and intense swelling. 

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Wear loose clothing -

Also, tight clothing traps extra heat. But when you have a sunburn, you want to keep your body as cool as possible to ease the pain. 

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Take an oatmeal bath -

Containing skin-soothing ingredients like vitamin E, soaking in oatmeal is great for treating sunburn. This is because it forms a protective layer over the skin that locks in moisture.

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Take an oatmeal bath -

Try mixing a cup of oats and a few tablespoons of baking soda to a cool bath. 

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Avoid using soap on your sunburn -

Soap can dry and really irritate sunburned skin, which can make it worse.

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Avoid using soap on your sunburn -

Therefore, after a cold shower, use lotion and aloe vera to soothe and moisturize the area instead.  

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Apply freshly brewed tea -

Black tea contains tannins, which draw heat away from the sunburned area and restore the skin's pH balance. 

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Apply freshly brewed tea -

Brew the tea as you normally would and let it cool. When it's ready, soak a washcloth in it and apply it to the affected area. You could also place the tea bags directly on the afflicted area. 

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Put milk on your burn -

Milk contains antioxidants, like vitamins D and A, which can help heal the skin. The lactic acid in milk can also reduce inflammation and keep the skin cool. 

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Put milk on your burn -

Place a cloth in a bowl of milk, and then gently pat it on the sunburn. It will provide instant relief. 

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Don't pick your sunburn -

If your burn is severe enough to cause blisters, it's important not to pick at them. 

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Don't pick your sunburn -

Popping blisters or picking at your inflamed skin can cause irritation and possibly a painful infection, which will prolong the healing process.

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Stay away from perfumes or fragrances -

Fragrances and perfumes can be irritating to sensitive skin, especially after a sunburn. 

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Stay away from perfumes or fragrances -

Make sure that any cosmetics, skincare, and bath products you use are fragrance-free until your sunburn is healed. 

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Get plenty of rest -

As with any injury or illness, the body works to reduce inflammation and heal the skin injured by the sunburn when asleep. This allows the body time to focus on repairing skin cells. So aim for seven to nine hours of sleep a night. 

Sources: (Business Insider) (Good Housekeeping) (Healthline) 

See also: Skin cancer: everything you should know

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