The summer fun can turn sour if you fall victim to sunburn. In fact, once you get sunburn, there is not much that can be done apart from treating it. People often get mild varieties of sunburn and that heals itself by simply shedding the affected skin. But you can reduce the discomfort and that can be easily done at home.

Over the counter drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen can be administered as per instruction to reduce the redness and soreness. But be careful in administering aspirin in children and even teenagers.

It should be avoided especially when the child is recovering from diseases like flu and chicken pox. Administering aspirin in such cases have been linked with Reye’s syndrome, a rare, life threatening condition affecting children. It is better to consult the doctor when a child gets affected by sunburn.

The object of any home remedy for sunburn is to keep the pain and burning sensation subsided as long as possible. In such case simply keeping the affected areas cool with a damp towel or a cold shower helps. Aloe vera is a great herbal remedy in sunburn.

In fact, it has proved itself as a good remedy for any types of burn. Moisturizing creams are also effective to ease the conditions in sunburn. Using very low potency, over the counter hydrocortisone creams can provide faster relief and heal the wound quickly.

If you get blisters from sunburn, then do not try to break them. First, because blisters form a protective layer over the actual wound and second, because a broken blister exposes the unguarded skin cells and makes the body vulnerable to infections.

With or without infection, broken skin will take more time to heal. However, if the blister break, do not forget to apply antibacterial cream on the wound and if needed cover them lightly with a gauze.

You will find that after few days of getting affected, the damaged skin starts to peel off. Do not try to force the shedding process by pulling the skin off. Let your body do it at its own pace. Your job is to keep that place moisturized till the shedding process is over. Also keep up the intake of fluids. It is absolutely necessary for the hydration of the skin.

Word of caution: Visit the doctor if you do not get relief even after these treatments.