Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Treating itching with home remedies
• Method 2 of 3: Treating Burns with Medication
• Method 3 of 3: Treating severe itching (hellish itching)
• Tips
• Warnings

Along with redness, scaling, and soreness, sunburn can also cause itching. The burn damages the top layer of the skin, which contains the nerve endings, which causes itching. When a sunburn damages the nerve endings, it causes itching until the skin is fully healed. You can use home remedies, or store or pharmacy products, to relieve itching and help your skin heal.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Treating itching with home remedies

1. 1 If you have severe burns, you should see a doctor. Home remedies can be very helpful, but they will only work on mild burns. If blisters appear on the skin, you feel dizzy, fever, or noticed a possible infection (purulent discharge, red streaks, high sensitivity), you should immediately consult a doctor before treating the burn yourself.
   • Call an ambulance immediately if you or your friend feel weak, unable to stand, or pass out.
   • A waxy surface of white or dark brown skin with severe flaking is defined as a third-degree burn. This happens very rarely, but sometimes people can get such a severe sunburn. Seek medical attention immediately.
2. 2 Spray apple cider vinegar on the burn. Vinegar is a weak acid that is used as an antiseptic. It balances the pH of your skin, which in turn promotes faster burn healing and less itching. Vinegar has a pungent odor that disappears within minutes.
   • Fill an empty spray bottle with apple cider vinegar. Try the vinegar first on a small area of ​​burned skin to see if you are experiencing pain or other reactions.
   • Spray vinegar over the burn area and let dry. Don't rub vinegar into your skin.
   • Repeat the procedure if your skin starts to itch again.
   • If you don't have a spray bottle, dab some vinegar on a cotton ball or small towel and pat it dry with it.
   • Some argue that regular vinegar can be substituted for apple cider, so you can try using cider if you don't have vinegar at home.
3. 3 Take a warm oatmeal bath. Oatmeal moisturizes dry skin and normalizes pH, which often rises during dry and inflamed skin. You can use colloidal oatmeal, which will float in the tub and moisturize your skin. Alternatively, you can put ¾ cups of raw oatmeal in a clean pair of tights and tie it in a knot.
   • Take a warm bath (hot water can dry your skin and increase itching).
   • Add the colloidal oatmeal while the water is flowing to mix well with it. If you are using a stocking, just throw it in the water.
   • Soak in the bathroom for 10 minutes. Rinse your body with warm water if you feel sticky on your skin after this procedure. You can take an oatmeal bath up to three times a day.
   • Pat dry your skin with a towel, but don't rub. This can irritate the skin.
4. 4 Treat the damaged skin area with diluted peppermint oil. Peppermint oil has a cooling and soothing effect and is available in stores. Don't use peppermint extract - it's not the same as peppermint oil.
   • Dilute peppermint oil with another oil (such as vegetable oil, jojoba, or coconut). Add 10-12 drops per 28.35 grams for an adult. For children, pregnant women, or people with sensitive skin, add only 5-6 drops.
   • Test the oil on a small area of ​​affected skin to ensure there is no allergic reaction.
   • Apply oil to the burn area. You should feel cold / warm and the itching will disappear for a while.
5. 5 Use witch hazel on the affected skin area. Witch hazel contains tannis, which can help relieve pain, swelling, and itching. Hydrocortisone is a good alternative.
   • Apply a small amount of witch hazel cream to the affected area (after testing the cream for an allergic reaction).
   • Apply witch hazel cream to the burn area with a cotton swab.
   • Use witch hazel about six times a day to relieve itching.

Method 2 of 3: Treating Burns with Medication

1. 1 Use 0.5-1% hydrocortisone to relieve pain and itching. Hydrocortisone is a pharmacy drug that works well for inflammation, redness, and itching. It stops the inflammation in the skin cells and soothes it.
   • Apply hydrocortisone to affected areas up to 4 times a day, rubbing it into your skin.
   • Use hydrocortisone very gently on your face, and for no more than 4-5 days.
2. 2 Buy an antihistamine from the pharmacy to relieve itching. Sometimes the itchiness of a burn is caused by cells of the immune system that release histamines and signal an alarm to your brain. An antihistamine will help suppress this reaction and temporarily relieve you of the swelling and itching.
   • Choose an antihistamine that does not cause drowsiness (such as loratadine) during the day. Follow the instructions on the package.
   • At night, you can use diphenhydramine, which causes drowsiness. While taking this antihistamine, do not try to drive a car or do anything that could harm you or your loved ones. Just go to sleep!
   • If itching is too severe, talk to your doctor about hydrocortisone. This is a prescription drug that acts as a sedative, just like an antihistamine.
3. 3 Use a local anesthetic to relieve pain. It is available in the form of sprays, creams, ointments, and blocks pain in your body so you won't feel itchy.
   • If using a spray, shake the can and hold it 10.16 - 15.24 cm from your skin. Spray it on the burn and rub it gently into the skin. Be careful not to get the spray in your eyes.
   • If using creams, gels, or ointments, apply to dry skin and rub in gently to distribute the product evenly. Look for products that contain aloe as it is great for soothing the skin.

Method 3 of 3: Treating severe itching (hellish itching)

1. 1 Take a hot shower if you experience severe itching that does not respond to treatment. If you experience so-called “hellish itching” that usually does not go away within 48 hours of a burn, a hot shower can help.A hellish itch that does not respond to treatment can lead to sleep deprivation, depression, aggression, and even suicidal thoughts.
   • If other treatments have not worked, including those recommended by your doctor, you can choose this treatment. Talk to your parents if you are under 18.
   • Take as hot a shower as you can handle. Do not use soap or rub your skin - hot water will dry out your skin, and soap will only worsen the situation.
   • Shower until the itching subsides (this usually takes about 2 days).
   • Hot water helps because your brain processes one sensation at a time. Hot water acts on the nerve endings, which suppress the itching sensation.
2. 2 Talk to your doctor about prescribing high steroid creams. If the itching is so bad that you can't focus on other things, can't work, can't sleep, and feel like you're going crazy, your doctor can help you with stronger treatments. Creams high in steroids can help reduce inflammation and relieve itching.
   • These medicines are only available with a prescription and can weaken your immune system and cause a number of side effects. So only use them as a last resort.

Tips

• Apply sunscreen before going outside.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that does not cover the burn area. The sites of burns must have access to oxygen.

Warnings

• Make sure you are not allergic to certain ingredients.
• Excessive sunburn can cause skin cancer, so avoid harmful sun exposure from midday to evening, around 3-4 hours. This will protect your skin better than any sunscreen.
• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to prevent skin damage.