I was preparing for a trip to Jamaica and already got a sunburn!!! I know, not to bright of me! But I need a cure. I am looking for advice to kill the sting of the burn. I figured all of you that travel to the beaches should know how to fix a sunburn.<BR><BR>T-Minus 4 days till departure

I was just talking to my Dr. about this -- aloe and benadryl. Steroids (in cream form or by mouth if its really bad).

Natural Aloe ... can purchase in drug stores and Vitamin E topically (Banana Boat makes one with no additivies) ...<BR>Bathe in water with vinegar ...<BR>Oatmeal bath ... <BR>Aspirin or tylenol for pain <BR>If more than 1st degree, call the doctor! <BR>And be careful when in the sun!! Cover up any previously sunburned areas ... zinc oxide!! <BR>

As a redhead with tissue paper skin, I have LOTS of experience with sunburns. My personal favorites are lots of Advil, Aloe, Cool baths, ice on the burn sometimes helps, sprays of pain killers, sprays of cold water and staying out of the sun.<BR><BR>Also milk on the burn will help as well.<BR><BR>Do not use anything "oily" as this covers the burn and is difficult to get off and will not help much, the sting may even go up.<BR><BR>Keep moisturizers hands as the skin starts to peal, the new skin under the burned skin is more apt to burn a bit more easily.<BR><BR>You also might check with your doctor if the current burn is bad for addtional help.<BR><BR>Good luck on your trip and try to stay out of the sun as much as possible.<BR>

This will sound a bit wierd -- my 91 year old father was in WW2/Navy and got very burned which could have led to courtmartial. He was advised by the ship's doctor to use brushless shaving cream with menthol on the burn. It worked extremely well and became the remedy to use for the entire family. The stuff comes in a tube and should be available at any drug store.

Hey all, thanks for the tips thus far!!!<BR><BR>anonymous-Help me out with this oatmeal bath. Is this a special bath product you buy or do you actually jump in the tub and pour in the Quaker Oats?<BR><BR>Dan- Is this special cream or is it comparable to Colgate Shaving cream w/menthol?<BR><BR>Thanks again for the help!!!<BR>

Sorry, just realized that my post came up as anonymous ... funny, but I remember the oatmeal baths from my grandmother's day so I guess she put oatmeal in the water ... now they have an oatmeal soap and bath addatives. Can't remember the name but it starts with an "A" ... Alveno ... something like that! If you say it, I'll say, "oh yea!" It's with the skin lotions in the pharmacy.

Can't believe no one has mentioned this yet . . . NOXEMA skin cream!!!! Yes you will need advil etc. but to take out the immediate sting rub noxema anywhere you are burned. Let it soak in and sleep the night like that, much better the next morning!!! Yes, it smells really bad but there is nothing better than that cool tingly feeling.

This may sound strange but it works - after you get a sunburn, take some calcium, 500mg or so(goes without saying but take this orally). The burn itself won't fade but the pain will go away. This I learned from an acupuncturist!

David, while living for a short time in Florida, we typically used the Banana Boat aloe vera gel that was mentioned above with great results. Now, we have it on hand back home in Pennsylvania. <BR><BR>Last April, a coworker and I went to Brazil on business. One Sunday, we spent a good portion of the day by the pool. I warned my comrad about the sun and being so close to the equator, but it went unheeded. <BR><BR>Later on in the day, we met in the lobby to go out for dinner. He was in terrible shape, as red as a lobster and I suggested that he might call a doctor. I had not ever seen anyone so red! He was in agony. I suggested that we go across the street to a drug store to see if they had any aloe vera. They in fact had the very same "Banana Boat" that we used at home. It took several applications each day for about three days, but every day he was getting better and was doing well after three. It really made a difference right away.<BR><BR>If it worked in a case that severe, it must be good. I'd try some of that. Beware of too much sun between 11:00 and 2:00 in the afternoon as well.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE USE NOXZEMA SKIN CREAM..EVERYONE THINKS IT WORKS AND IT DOES- IT WILL COOL YOUR SKIN DOWN AND MAKE IT FEEL BETTER ..TEMPORARILY!!WHAT IT ACTUALLY DOES IS FORM A BARRIER ON THE SKIN THAT KEEPS THE HEAT IN SO IT ACTUALLY WILL MAKE YOUR BURN MUCH WORSE IN THE LONG RUN.TAKE MY ADVICE - I AM ABOUT THE FAIREST PERSON YOU HAVE EVER SEEN..I CANNOT STAY IN THE SUN FOR MORE THAN A FEW DAYS WITHOUT GETTING SOME REACTION..I HAVEN'T BURNED IN YEARS BECAUSE I COVER UP AND USE MORE SUNSCREEN IN A WEEK THAN MOST PEOPLE USE IN A YEAR..LISTEN TO MOST OF THE PEOPLE ON THIS STRING AND JUST TAKE ADVIL FOR THE PAIN,USE A GEL BASED ALOE VERA PRODUCT, AN "AVEENO" (OATMEAL) BATH<BR>AND PLENTY OF FLUIDS. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE LET YOUR ALREADY BURNED SKIN BE EXPOSED TO ANY SUNLIGHT AT ALL. WEAR A LONG SLEEVE SHIRT IF NEED BE BUT STAY OUT OF THE SUN!!! IF YOU HAVE 4 DAYS YOU SHOULD BE OK BUT YOU MAY NEED TO STAY OUT -OR COVER YOURSELF WELL FOR THE FIRST FEW DAYS....GOOD LUCK!!<BR>

Take aspirin regulary. Use aloe gel with out benzocaine. Benzocaine can cause sensitivey reactions on burns with will worsen the condition. Do not use Noxzema. Vinegar or strong tea (ie, Lipton, Tetley) helps, apply topically. Aveeno oatmeal bath feels good but doesn't actually do anything. Above all take really good sunscreen, Use the umbrellas on the beach. Avoid the sun between 12 and 4. Have a great time.

Hey All: Thanks again for the help. I ended up finding Aloe Extra Burn Relief, made by Solarcaine. Along with the aloe it has lidocaine to kill the pain.The stuff works really well. I have recovered from my pre-trip burn, and have been able to grab two more short visits to the tanning bed before I leave town. <BR><BR>Dan-I looked for the shaving cream you talked about and couldn't find it.<BR><BR>Oatmeal People- I am still tempted but haven't tried that yet, maybe when I get home.<BR><BR>Again thanks for all the help I knew you guys would have some ideas. I am leaving tomorrow and will be packing an extra bottle of Solarcine with me!!! Look for my post trip report after Easter...JAMAICA HERE I COME!!!!<BR><BR><BR><BR>

Don't tell too many people, but if I sunburn I look around for an aloe vera plant in the islands and discretely cut off a piece..open it up and rub it on myself..and keep the rest on a plastic baggie...works like a charm...

The absolute best product for immediate and cool relief for a sunburn is <BR> <BR>SOUR CREAM! <BR> <BR>No joke! (recently, I had to settle for yoghurt in Ocho Rios and it was better than nothing, and in Mykonos the sour cream worked wonderfully - a secret Greek & natural remedy!) <BR> <BR>Apply liberally all over - wherever you are burned and let dry - it does become crusty, however, the shower feels good and the sting is gone, but still red. <BR> <BR>I found it is best to apply within a short time of realizing you're burnt and provides an immediate and cool relief. <BR> <BR>good luck for the next time!

My dermatologist says that you should take 2-3 aspirins as soon as you feel that you have had too much sun exposure. It helps me to reduce the redness and burning. Of course, it is best to try to prevent it by using a high number sunscreen liberally. We did the combination of sunscreen and aspirin in Bonaire with very good results. And if it still happens, cold compresses for 15 minutes helps. It is worth a try.

when I burned bad before & went to the emergency room I was told ..drink,drink , drink,drink ,drink--no caffine & no alcohol-also a bath in vinagar& baking soda or oatmeal(aveno) first helps take away sting ,second softens again..also dampen a few towels & put in freezer till cool & then lay towels on burned areas(ahhhh ) also pure aloe..asprin for the pain-NO oils or greases or creams!! <BR>now they did not say this last thing but it helped me-I got in a hot spa -it hurt to get in BUT after once totally in & getting out NO MORE PAIN! <BR>