What is the best way to sooth a BAD sunburn? Is there anything I can do besides lotions?

Aspirin and Vaseline. Stay away from Aloe products because although they do provide immediate relief, they draw the moister out of the skin and it will eventually crack causing further pain and damage.

Vaseline will work? Not the lotion but the jelly? Thank you!!!! I will try this now!

Vaseline will keep the moister in and help prevent the skin from cracking.

Use the jelly. As a kid I got a very bad sunburn and this is what my dermatologist told me to do.

Take it from a Redhead, all I do is burn, but now I am so careful with sunblock.

Here are a few tips. A cool bath or cold water to take the sting out of the burn. Milk will also help.

I would NOT do vaseline, because it is so difficult to remove. You have a first degree burn, so do what you would do for that level of burn, cold water, advil and sunburn spray to relieve the pain.

Good luck.

I am also a red head and the Vasoline trick has saved me and many friends from some bad sunburns. It works. You will heal much quicker. If the burn is on a large area it can get messy but trust me, it will work. It will save you from getting covered in those pussy little sores that develope after a bad sunburn. Most sunburn sprays contain some aloe so all they will do is make you feel better at first but then the skin will crack.

If you have already started getting those open, pussy sores you will also want to put a thin layed of some antibiotic ointment on to avoid infection.

Vaseline.

Doesn't Vaseline hold the heat in making it more painful?

Thought some of you would be interested in this none too subtle comment from a medical website about treating sunburns:
"DO NOT PLACE OIL BASED PRODUCTS ON BURNS!! The old wives' tale about placing butter on the burn can actually do more damage. The oil based products, including Vaseline petrolatum, can cause the pores of your skin to clog and keep the burn from 'breathing', thus creating infection".

I burn very badly - I have freckly skin and auburn hair. I am vigilant at applying sunblock (SPF 45 mostly). OK I dont get a tan but I don't suffer pain and agony either. I used to use calomine lotion when I was younger and not so careful. I personally would not use oily products.

Vaseline lets the heat out but keeps the moister in. There is much info about this. Obviously people have different points of view but I got my info straight from a Doc and I suggest you do the same. I have used Vaseline for years anytime I have burned and I have never had an infection or problems.

Vaseline does not clog pores. If you don't believe me, look for yourself on a jar or do some research under white petrolium.

As an ICU nurse and experienced ER nurse, we would NEVER suggest Vaseline. Cool or tepid compresses, Advil or like products and antibiotic ointment if the blisters have opened. There may be information that I am not aware of so I can't speak to other's sources.

I checked with WebMd and it suggested aloe or hydrocortisone for swelling. Drink lots of fluid and take aspirin, tylenol or advil. Also said chamomile and cool black tea showed good results.

Remember SuzieQ that half of all doctors graduated in the bottom half of their respective classes.

There are hundreds of resources on the internet which offer guidelines for sunburn treatment. I've looked over many of them.
Not a one recommends Vaseline.
Many recommend avoiding it.
Most follow the American Academy of Dermatology recommendations:
1) take a cool (not cold) bath, or gently apply cool, wet compresses to the skin.
2) take a pain reliever such as aspirin (children and teenagers should never be given aspirin because of the danger of Reye syndrome), acetaminophen, or ibuprofen.
3)rehydrate (add moisture to) the skin and help reduce swelling and drying, apply topical moisturizing cream, aloe, calamine, or 1 percent hydrocortisone cream.
4) do not break open blisters (increases risk of infection)
5)stay in the shade until the sunburn is healed.
Go to e-medicine.com (a site which is edited by a friend of mine) and you'll find a long summary on sunburns and their management which also states "Ointments or butter do not help a mild-to-moderate sunburn and may be painful to wash off".

First, do a google search for sunburn treatment and perhaps talk to a pharmacist.

You will find the following:

use cool, wet compresses during the first 48hrs. Do not use ice. Addition of baking soda to the water can be helpful.

no oil based lotions - including Vaseline in any form-during first 48hrs.

take cool (not cold) oatmeal baths (Aveeno)

use Aloe, which supplies moisture and soothes pain, during first 48hrs.

take oral painkillers, but stop using as soon as possible

seek medical attention if fever, fluid-filled blisters, dizziness or visual disturbances are present.

Last, but not least, use sunscreen the next time.

I checked with my medical reference book and it said not to use petroleum jelly or any other oil. Ditto for what Barbara said on the tepid bath with baking soda or oatmeal, cool compresses. Don't break blisters and don't use any lotion with benzocaine or diphenhydramine. Dress in cool, lightweight clothes. ;-(

Being a fair skinned blonde, and having lived in Hawaii and Los Angeles, I have been know to get a sunburn.
Never did I use Vaseline.
A soothing tepid bath in Aveeno or oatmeal or just plain water will take out some of the heat.
Advil is good.
I like the new products that are cooling gels, usually Aloe, to keep down the peeling.
Best advice, always wear sunblock and never put yourself in the position of needing sunburn relief
Good luck~