Useful Treatment For Painful, Itchy Sunburn

Treatment for painful or itchy sunburn can provide relief from the burning sensation while hydrating and healing burned skin.
With Spring Break, warm weather and the summer upon us, many of us are venturing out into the fresh, sunny outside for the first time in months. Having been bundled-up in sweaters and coats, our faces, arms, and bodies are easily susceptible to damaging UV rays that can quickly burn and blister.
How long does it take to get Sunburn?
Most experts and dermatologists agree that unprotected exposure to the sun can burn in as little as 15 minutes. Intensity is at its greatest during mid-day, but coastal winds, cooler temperatures, and "first time" exposure can easily increase the risks of burning. Without sunscreen, lying by the pool for even 30 minutes can give you visible and painful redness.
Likewise, lightly overcast skies and partly cloudy conditions lull us into a false sense we are not receiving as much exposure. In fact, UV indices can be very high during low-humidity days with high, thin cloud layers often experienced during the spring.
Symptoms & Prevention
Whether it's the back of the neck while gardening, the nose from watching an afternoon ball game or back of the legs from laying-out for an hour, the effects of sunburn have been felt by us all. Generally there is a warm (hot) sensation, followed by a flushing and tightening feeling as our tissue loses hydration and fluids are rushed to affected areas.
Redness, pain and itchiness occur as skin tightens and responds to the "searing" by the sun. For more severe cases, blistering occurs as protective fluids separate the epidermis from the dermis layer.
As is well documented, the best prevention is to always use SPF protection. SPF15 is recommended even for short exposure and SPF30 and SPF50 for the nose, neck and face for extended exposure. Light fitting and colored clothing is recommended. Take a tip from offshore inshore fishermen (people) - the most experienced use shirts and hats designed for protection and loose fitting for maneuverability.
What is the Best Sunburn Treatment?
Physiologically - drink lost of fluids (water), stay out of the sun and keep skin moisturized. For light to moderate burning, apply a cool, damp and clean cloth to the affected area periodically. Apply a sunburn relief product that contains Emu Oil, Aloe, Jojoba Oil, and for a cooling sensation, Menthol extract.
Emu Oil is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps the skin heal quickly and re-hydrates burned tissue. It is often used to treat burns, lacerations, and helps prevent scarring by promoting new, healthy skin cell growth. Jojoba Oil is a naturally-derived plant extract that moisturizes and encourages healing. It mimics our natural oils and improves elasticity and moisturization to burns - alleviating the tightening sensation and encouraging quick recovery and relief.
The best treatment for painful, itchy sunburn is prevention. But, if like me you get the occasional burn on the nose or shoulders, use spot treatments that hydrate, moisturize and provide quick healing. You might just turn the burn into a golden tan.