Use low water pressure because too much can be painful on burned skin. Don’t use ice-cold water—a little below room temperature is ideal. Water that’s too cold can shock your skin. Take a cool shower every few hours for pain relief. If you don’t have access to a shower or if you’re short on time, wet a washcloth with cool water and lay it over the most burned areas.

The vitamin A and D in milk can help soothe the swelling and redness. As an alternative, use goat’s milk or buttermilk for an extra-creamy soak.

You can buy aloe vera gel at any drugstore or extract it from the aloe barbadensis plant if you have one. Aloe vera gel works on burns because it has anti-inflammatory properties, promotes blood circulation to the area, and prevents bacteria. Avoid aloe vera products or lotions that have “caine” in the name or on the label (like benzocaine or lidocaine). These numbing agents can irritate your skin and may cause allergic reactions.

Look for lotions at the drugstore that advertise vitamin E on the front or have it listed in the top 5 ingredients on the back of the bottle so you know there’s a lot of vitamin E in it. Lotions containing vitamin E can decrease redness and swelling caused by the burn.

If you’re worried about oats clogging your shower drain, wet a kitchen towel with cool water and gently wipe the oats off your skin. Then hop in the shower. You may want to put a towel down on the floor so you don’t make too much of a mess when you’re applying it. You can also buy pre-made packets of colloidal oatmeal to pour into your bathwater. Oats contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help heal dry, itchy, or swollen skin faster.

Aspirin is only recommended for adults over 18 because it can cause a potentially fatal condition called Reye’s syndrome in teens and children. Children and teens ages 6 to 18 can take acetaminophen instead. [7] X Research source Don’t take ibuprofen if you have ever had a stomach ulcer, liver disease, or heart failure because it can worsen these conditions. [8] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source

For the most protection, use a sunscreen that shields your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. It’s important to apply it 15 minutes before going out in the sun so the lotion has time to sink into your skin.

Avoid wearing wool clothing or anything made from synthetic fabrics like nylon, polyester, spandex, and rayon because these may irritate your skin.

The salt in sweat can irritate your skin and clog the pores on and around the burned area, causing blisters and prolonging the healing time. If it hurts to move your limbs at all, take a few days off from your workout routine. Pulling and stretching the skin not only hurts, but it’ll prolong the healing process.

If you like, you can put a light moisturizer, such as 100% aloe gel, on the blisters. Just avoid using anything too heavy, like petroleum jelly, since this will trap sweat and heat against your skin.

You may be dehydrated if you have a dry mouth or dry skin, or if you feel dizzy and tired. Another way to find your ideal intake is to divide your weight in pounds by 2. That number is how many ounces you should drink. For instance, if you weigh 140 pounds (64 kg), you should drink 70 fluid ounces (2,100 mL) of water per day.

You can also soak a small washcloth in cooled green tea and apply it to your skin to reduce the stinging sensation of a sunburn. Green tea also contains polyphenols that can help stop the progression of skin cancer. Green tea contains 30 to 50 mg of caffeine per bag. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, drink decaf green tea instead.

For instance, a 3. 5-oz (99 g) serving of salmon contains about 400 IU of vitamin D. If allergies or dietary restrictions prevent you from getting enough vitamin D from food, talk to your doctor about taking a vitamin D supplement.

The daily recommended amount of beta carotene is 18,000 IU per day. Just 1 cup (128 g) of chopped raw carrots contains 10,605 IU. [18] X Research source Note that eating too much beta carotene can cause your palms to take on a yellow hue, so don’t go too crazy with the orange foods!

Lycopene has also been shown to protect against certain types of cancer. It’s easy to get a good dose of lycopene. For instance, just half of a grapefruit contains 17 mg of lycopene and a 3. 5-oz (100 g) serving of sun-dried tomatoes contains 45. 9 mg.

Choose a variety with at least 70% cocoa for the most benefits.