Homemade Relief for Sunburn

• Several items in your kitchen can be used to provide quick, temporary relief of sunburn pain. One such item is cornstarch. Take 1/4 cup cornstarch and slowly add water to form a paste, which should be gently patted onto the sunburn. When adding water to the cornstarch, do so slowly, even though the paste will be difficult to work with. As you keep adding a few more drops of water, the paste will become easier to work with and eventually form a paste consistency. For small areas, fresh slices of potato, apple and cucumber can be applied directly to the sunburn. Gently lay the slices on the burn and you will feel the pain of the burn ease. Applying fresh yogurt to the burn will provide a mild cooling effect and should be followed up by a cool shower or bath.
  
  

Household Articles to Provide Sunburn Relief

• If you have an aloe vera plant in your kitchen or around the house, break off one of the stems and apply the sticky substance oozing out of the stem directly to the burn. Aloe vera is a very old herbal remedy for providing relief for any type of burn to the skin, and the plant can be an attractive addition to the kitchen. For mild sunburn, take a bag of frozen food out of the freezer and wrap in a damp towel. Hold the bag on the burn to relieve pain.
  
  

Over-the-Counter Relief

• Several local anesthetic products are available at a drugstore to get relief from the pain and itching of a severe sunburn. Ask your pharmacist what is recommended. If there is no pharmacist on duty, look for brands that contain benzocaine, benzyl alcohol, or lidocaine. These products are available in both aerosol and cream form, but aerosol products are easier to use, especially if the burn is on the back. If the burn is on the face and you are using a spray, spray the medication on a cotton ball or gauze and gently rub on the burn, being cautious not to get any in your eyes.