Sunburn

Sunburn occurs when the skin is overexposed to the UV rays of sunlight. UV rays are also present in welding arcs and tanning lamps. Further complications can lead to cancer, disability, or even death. Fair-skinned people are more prone to getting sunburn.

Symptoms
Symptoms generally take a long while to appear. When it appears, the skin becomes warm, tender and reddish in color. Blisters may develop after a few hours or days follow by skin peeling.
Other skin conditions associated with sunburn are chills, fever, nausea, flu, rashes, and vomiting.

Causes
Sunburn occurs when there is an abundant of UV ray exposure than that of melanin that protects the skin from the harmful rays of the skin.

Outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, swimming, and working outdoors can increase the chances of getting sunburns.

Consumption of birth-control pills and anti-bacterial agents in soaps can make the skin more sensitive to sunburn.

Home Remedies
Apply aloe vera or vinegar on the skin to stop the pain and inflammation.

Avoid using products that contain benzocaine, lidocaine and petroleum jelly.

Mustard oil: To cool down the burned skin, rub mustard oil over the affected area. Leave to air dry.

Cucumber: Rub fresh cucumber slices over the burned skin.

Baking powder: Mix some baking powder to bath water to soothe burned skin.

Essential oils: Applying lavender or peppermint oil will also help relieve burned skin.

Apple cider vinegar: Apply apple cider vinegar on the affected skin using a cotton gauze or cotton ball.

Herbal bath: Place a few drops of chamomile and lavender essential oils in a tub full of water.

Ice compress: Applying an ice compress on the affected area can help relieve inflammation.

Potato: Apply grated potatoes on the burned skin. The starch content from the potatoes will soothe the inflammation.

Vitamins: Vitamin C and E are good antioxidants that can help cure sunburn. Tomatoes are good source of antioxidants.

Further Suggestion

Eat foods that are rich in high quality protein such as eggs, fishes, chickens, meats, and many more.

Fruits contain plenty of essential vitamins and minerals that valuable in curing sunburn.

Drink plenty of fluids to keep the body well hydrated.

Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or above before going out.

Wear sunglasses when going outside as often as you can.

Avoid using soaps with harsh ingredients when washing burned skin.

3 Comments »

1. 

   This article has some great tips for natural sunburn remedies, it was very helpful!

   Comment by Chris — May 21, 2008 @ 4:05 pm

2. 

   I have this saved for the future. my grandson thanks and so do I. his burn is pretty bad but the vinegar really works. we used the white and the last was apple cidar vinegar.

   Comment by Phyllis — August 15, 2008 @ 7:42 am

3. 

   an oatmeal bath works good too. use cheesecloth so the oatmeal doesnt go down your tub drain.

   Comment by danielle — March 20, 2009 @ 10:25 pm

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Razor Burns

Razors burns are common skin irritations, nicks and cuts that men and women experiences when shaving using a razor. Initially, it appears as a mild rash that disappears after a few hours or even days. When the area around the shaved hair had a swelling or infected pustule, it is called ‘razor bumps’. These bumps are usually caused by ingrown hair.

Symptoms
When the patient experiences irritation, redness and a burning sensation on the freshly shaved area, he/she is having razor burns. Subsequently, the skin may also get a reddish, chaffed appearance.

Causes
Too much pressure applied when shaving will cause a razor burn. Likewise, not applying any skin lubricant before shaving can burn the skin.

Another cause is shaving opposite the direction of hair growth. The skin will dry if after-shaves and colognes were used more than necessary.

Home Remedies
Stop shaving temporarily. Rest the skin and let your hair grow back for a while.

Apply an after-shave balm to soothe the skin if having razor burns.

Aspirins: Mix 2 aspirin powder in a teaspoon of warm water to make a paste. Apply on the affected area. Rinse with lukewarm water to relieve the burning sensation.

Strawberry: Mash a handful of strawberries and mix with 1 tablespoon of sour cream. Apply mixture on the affected area after shaving. Leave for 10 minutes. Repeat treatment 2 times a week to relieve razor burns.

Applying aloe Vera gel, mild salicylic acid solution and witch hazel astringent will also provide relief to razor burns.

Diets
Eat plenty of foods rich in vitamin C to help the skin rejuvenate easily.

Further Suggestions
Rinse skin with warm water before and after shaving to soften the skin.

Moisturize the skin and hair before shaving by applying shaving cream, foam or soap opposite the direction of hair growth.

Start shaving on easy to reach areas such as the neck, cheeks and jaw line.

Shave in downward motion in direction of the hair growth.

When shaving, avoid stretching your skin too tightly.

Rinse razor blades thoroughly after each use. Replace the blades every week or as often as you can.

Replace your old razors with electric ones.

To soften the beard, first apply shaving oil, before shaving creams and gels. This will also improve the shaving experience.

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Hyper Acidity and Heartburn

Hyperacidity occurs when there is an excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This condition often leads to ulcer.

Cardialgia, pyrosis, or heartburn is a condition wherein there is a reflux of stomach acids to the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest area that can extend to the throat, neck, and then to the face.

Symptoms
Primary causes of hyperacidity are hydrochloric acid hyper secretion and gastric acid reflux. Other causes are anxiety, excessive alcohol consumption, regular consumption of fried and spicy foods, insomnia, obesity, pregnancy, smoking, skipping meals, wearing over fitting clothes and stress.

For heartburn, there are stomach pains within 1-4 hours of taking meals and frequent hunger after 1-2 hours of taking meals. Heart burn is often experienced when lying down and upper abdomen pains occurs after taking a large meal.

Other symptoms include belching, bitter after taste in the mouth, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

Home Remedies
For Hyper acidity:
Basil leaf: Chew basil leaves or suck a small piece of jaggery.

Milk: Drink a glass of chilled milk for immediate relief.

For Heartburn:
Almond: Chew a few almonds when having a heartburn attack.

Ginger: Take a piece of ginger root with honey after meals.

Diets (Hyperacidity)
Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables and fruits such as apple, banana and watermelon. Refrain from eating unripe fruits.

Drink plenty of water and avoid skipping meals.

Avoid fried, and spicy foods, pickles, pepper, garlic, onion, radish and cabbage.

Chew your food properly and slowly.

Other Suggestions
Don’t lie down the bed after eating your meal to prevent hyperacidity.

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