One of the worst souvenirs you can bring home from a trip to the beach or an amusement park is a painful sunburn. Having a sunburn is an uncomfortable experience, and it may seem like it just won’t go away. There are some things one can do to remedy this situation, but first you need to know exactly what a sunburn is. A sunburn is exactly what it sounds like; a burn caused by exposure to UV rays from the sun. These UV rays damage the top layers of skin, causing redness, swelling, blisters, and pain or discomfort. Here are some tips you can try to relive the discomfort and speed up healing.

Take a cool bath or shower

After a sunburn, the skin is going to be extremely sensitive to heat in all forms, so a hot shower could aggravate damaged skin. This will only provide temporary relief, but this will help wash away debris and dead skin that has accumulated on the burn.

Prevent further damage

Limit further sun exposure by covering up burned areas or by using sunscreen even when briefly exposed to the sun. The burned skin will be more sensitive to UV rays due to its natural defenses already being broken down by the burn. If possible, stay indoors for the next several days or until the redness lessens.

Use pain relievers

There are many over-the-counter topical and oral pain relievers that can help ease the pain and swelling of a sunburn. Creams that contain Aloe Vera, Lidocaine or Benzocaine are all effective in relieving pain. Medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help with the swelling and headaches that can accompany a sunburn. Note: Do not put oily substances such as butter on the burn as this can slow down healing and could cause infection.

Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food

During the healing period, the body is working hard to repair damage done to the skin and needs fuel to complete this task. Be sure to drink plenty of water as this will hydrate the skin and tissues. Also, eating well-balancing meals will provide the body with energy and vitamins needed for healing.

Wear loose clothing

Don’t wear tight fitting clothes during the healing period as this will irritate the sunburn and can reduce circulation to the skin. Loose-fitting, natural materials are the best choices when you have a sunburn.

Leave peeling skin alone

Picking at the peeling skin during the final stages of healing can remove some of the protective skin the lower layers of tissue are still using to heal. This can even result in bleeding and infection.

The only thing that will completely heal sunburn is time, but these steps will lessen discomfort and speed up the healing process. Most importantly, if the healing seems to be taking longer than usual, a persistent fever develops, or infection sets in, talk to your doctor about further treatment.