What is the best way to recover from a bad sunburn?

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 00:44:40 -0400

My wife and I went on a 4 hour hike. Because it was pouring rain and very cloudy she didn't put on sunblock. However, when we got to the turn around point 2 hours later, the clouds dissipated, it stopped raining, and the sun was out at high noon. We still had a 2 hour hike back! I ended up putting mud on her, but it was too late. She's very red. Any advice on how to soothe some of her pain?

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Aug 8 at 2016 12:50 AM

MSG Pat Colby — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 00:50:06 -0400

Aloe. Also, make sure she drinks LOTS of water.

Response by SFC George Smith made Aug 8 at 2016 1:16 AM

SFC George Smith — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 01:16:33 -0400

One of the Best ways to recover from any 1st or 2nd degree burn, as long as the Skin is not broken, and the blisters have not formed... is the strongest Concentration of Alo-vera (sp), Chill it, and apply as cold as the patient can stand. If you can get it straight from the plant it is best... Keep the area moist and cool for as long as the pain and redness prissiest... re-apply every 2-3 hours every 3-4 hours apply cool Baby oil... the Next best thing is mixture , 50/50, Alo-vera(sp) and coconut oil... you can find 100%, in the cooking section of you local grocery store... Chill and apply.
I used this in The Philippines, Thailand, and through out "SEA" and the Western pacific Theater and for 6 Month in Haiti... not to mention on My kids and now Grand Kids...
Take care out there and Be Safe...
DOL...

Response by SPC James Harsh made Aug 8 at 2016 1:30 AM

SPC James Harsh — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 01:30:06 -0400

Concur with aloe vera. anything fragrance would be awful, looks like you'll be on sunburn duty haha. The aerosol cooling spray sunscreen can give relief too. *I've had blisters, oh yeah no hot showers only cold ugh, then warm.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 8 at 2016 1:34 AM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 01:34:09 -0400

I see you've already gotten the Aloe Vera advice. You can get a pretty strong one at Walmart. At least in the mainland you can, I don't know if it will be available in Hawaii (though the Walmart in Pearl City was always well stocked when I lived there).

Next bit of advice, ALWAYS wear sunblock in Hawaii, even when it's cloudy! Those UV rays are very sneaky!

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Aug 8 at 2016 5:04 AM

TSgt Joe C. — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 05:04:17 -0400

The way I learned being down in San Antonio was the first time I did it was to never forget my sunscreen ever again ENS Private RallyPoint Member. I used a lot of after sunburn gel...seemed to help arms and face as well as the top of my head.

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made Aug 8 at 2016 6:48 AM

PO1 Tony Holland — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 06:48:49 -0400

Love the visual - only thing missing is salt, butter and a cold brew

Response by SGT Shawn Volkmann made Aug 8 at 2016 8:50 PM

SGT Shawn Volkmann — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 20:50:12 -0400

Some people claim lemon juice, some claim prepared mustard.BUT I have found the best thing is to simply go to any drugstore and get a can of sunburn relief spray, just look for it to contain benzocane as one of the actives. It will relieve a lot of the pain.