Three budget hacks to relieve sunburn fast – and there's one you should never do
As people head out to enjoy the sun, it is always important to wear sunscreen to protect your skin's appearance and age.
When used regularly, sunscreen helps prevent sunburn, skin cancer and premature ageing - and is recommended to people of all ages.
But if you spend too much time in the sun, the risk of sunburn is likely - and while most people apply after-sun lotions, there are also some budget hacks you could consider to treat your skin and get better.
One simple and cheap way to relieve sunburnt skin is to add a cup of whole oats to your bath, after ensuring that the water is lukewarm or cool.
Eating watermelon can help you feel hydrated (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Adding oats to your bathwater will turn it into a milky white colour, and if you relax in it for around 20 minutes, it could help soothe your pain and restore your skin's natural barrier.
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Lovisa Nilsson, in-house nutritionist at fitness and health app Lifesum, told The Sun: "Oatmeal has the ability to soothe severe sunburn."
Dr Nisith Sheth from the British Skin Foundation previously told BBC News: "Oats - and oatmeal - have been well known to reduce inflammation, and they're in some commercial brands to treat things like eczema, because of its anti-inflammatory effects."
Another way to soothe your skin is to keep hydrated before, during, and after a day in the sun, especially because sunburn can encourage fluid loss through the skin.
Apart from drinking water, you could also eat nutritious fruits such as watermelon which is rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that can help lower inflammation and oxidative damage.
A third cheap option to treat sunburn is using aloe vera gel, which is known for its cooling effect and its anti-inflammatory features.
Aloe vera can also help thanks to its cooling effect (Getty Images)
It is important to get away from the sun as soon as possible when experiencing sunburn (Getty Images)The NHS explains that if you experience sunburn, you should get out of the sun as soon as possible and cool your skin with a cool shower, bath or damp towel.
If you experience any pain, you could consider taking painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. You should also cover sunburnt skin from direct sunlight until it has fully healed.
It is not recommended to use vaseline or petroleum jelly on sunburnt skin. You should also avoid putting ice or ice packs on your skin, or popping any blisters.
If your skin starts peeling off, you should not scratch it or try to remove it. After experiencing sunburn, you should also wear loose-fitting clothes to allow your skin to heal.
If you have been out in the sun and your skin is blistered or swollen, if you have a high temperature or feel tired, dizzy and sick you should get an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111.
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You should also get medical attention if you have a headache and muscle cramps, or if your baby or young child has sunburn.
Getting sunburnt can increase your risk of skin cancer. Cancer Research explains that in the UK, almost nine in 10 cases of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, could be prevented by staying safe in the sun and avoiding sunbeds.
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