Blog Marco

Sid the Seagull has been telling us Australian's to "Slip Slop Slap" (Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat) for more than 25 years - since 1981.

Sid The Seagull's Advice: "Avoiding overexposure from the sun doesn’t just help prevent skin cancer, it helps you avoid premature ageing."

So what did I do yesterday? I went to the zoo witha few relatives, having forgotten the slogan failed to do any of the three maxims of slipping on a shirt (the seagull recommends long sleeve), slopping on sunscreen (actually I did put sunscreen on my arms *phew* - but I didn't on my face) and slapping on a hat.

So now I'm sitting here writing this article regretting not doing any of these... My skin is tingling and it is sensitive to touch from the sunburn. Argh!!!

Anyway, this led me to look up some information on how to treat sunburns.

One website suggested that: "Treating a sunburn quickly and with healing ingredients is important to help reduce the damage and to protect against further damage." and proceeded to go through some tips:

Aloe Vera Gel --> I'll try this one!
For sunburn there is nothing better than aloe vera gel; it is antibacterial and deeply healing for burns in part because of aloectin B, which stimulates the immune system. Aloe vera gel is used in hospitals for burn victims. Aloe Vera comes from the aloe vera plant, and the gel may be squeezed from its leaves, or you can buy pure aloe vera gel as a product in most health food stores.

Vitamin E Cream
One of the antioxidants, vitamin E creams, ointments and oils, can help heal sunburn damage and shorten its effects.

Increase Your Vitamin C
Another antioxidant, increasing your vitamin C intake while sunburned will help you heal.

Black Tea Sunburn Soother
The tannins in cool black tea will help sooth a sunburn.

Baking Soda Bath
Have a cool bath to which 1/2 a cup of baking soda has been added.

Calendula Creams
Calendula is one of the most healing plants. The flowers are emollient, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiviral. They are immune system stimulants and rich in carotenoids. Look in your health food store for calendula creams and ointments.

Avoid Petroleum jelly, as it will hold in the heat.

• Take a cool bath with 2 ounces of baking soda per tub. Don’t put soap on the sunburn.
• Apply aloe containing lotions to cool the skin
• Apply 1 percent hydrocortisone cream (an over-the-counter product) as soon as possible. If used early, several times a day for two days, it can reduce swelling and pain.
• Until you can get hydrocortisone cream, apply a moisturizing cream, preferably one containing aloe. Avoid ointments or greasy substances, which can block the sweat glands and keep heat from escaping.
• Avoid first-aid anesthetic products containing benzocaine, which can cause irritation or allergic reactions.
• Since sunburn is an inflammatory process, take an anti-inflammatory pain reliever, such as ibuprofen.
• Blistering skin indicates more serious sunburn. Don’t cover the blisters. Call your doctor for advice.
• Wear your pajamas inside out to avoid the irritation of seams when sleeping.
• Prevention is better than the cure

Next time I've gotta think about how long I'm going to be out! ARGH!

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