In the summer months, it is very easy to get sunburned. If you are a small child or a fair skinned person, you will definitely get the worst of it.
In the absence of the forethought which would have suggested to you to bring the sunscreen, I have a rescue remedy that will heal even the worst sunburn. It is safe enough for all skin types, unless there is an allergy to any of the components. I use plain old Aloe Vera sunburn gel as a base. You definitely want the cheap gel that is actually gelatinous....the expensive pure aloe gel is too liquid to work in this recipe. You could also use creamy baby oil, or baby lotion, or any adult lotion that doesn't have a lot of dyes or fragrances, or alcohol.
I like the gel because when you stir in essential oils, it turns into a light, creamy, easily-absorbed substance that stays pretty well emulsified. You can shake it before use to make sure, especially if it has sat unused since last summer!
I usually use clean, empty medicine bottles to mix mine in, but you could use any plastic or glass container with a tight fitting lid that you can still fit a finger or swab in to retrieve the finished product.
Recipe for WitchDoctor Miracle Sunburn/Burn Creamy Gel
To one half cup of aloe vera gel, add:
50 drops Pure Essential Oil of Lavender
1 tsp Pure Emu Oil
1 tsp Vitamin E Oil
Stir well. Use immediately and frequently to sunburned areas. If you can get this on sunburned skin a few times before bed, you will see a significant change by morning. Can be used on rug burns also. This is a good, gentle remedy for really bad diaper rash as well.
For thermal burns caused by fire, hot grease spatters, etc., it is better to use straight lavender right from the bottle as soon as you can get it on there, and frequently. Lavender will not hurt you. It is safe for babies, seniors, and those with compromised immune systems.
Lavender heals skin cells expertly and quickly. So quickly, in fact, that if you have a deep cut which may be infected, it is possible for the lavender to heal the skin right over the infection causing an abcess. In the case of a deep cut or subsurface infection, a medical professional will need to clean and sterilize it, and possibly stitch it. If you have any doubts, it's always a good idea to check with your doctor or nurse line.
Another important thing to consider when you are dealing with sunburn, the condition alone is likely to cause symptoms including nausea, headache, diarrhea, and fever. If you have a sunburn that is blistering in a really short amount of time after exposure, and you are having any of those other symptoms, it is wise to call your doctor. The skin is the largest organ of the body, and widespread trauma to it can cause shock.
I understand that there are a lot of folks out there that just can't afford to go to the doctor. Research is necessary for true understanding of your situation. Find out what you can, and don't be afraid to use that contact form up there if you need it.
