We all know we are supposed to wear sunscreen, but sometimes, well, we just decide we won’t be outside that long, or the sun isn’t really that intense today, or we’d like to get a fast jump-start on a tan.
Many times, however, that means we end up with a sunburn. Painful to the touch, difficult to sleep, kick ourselves for our choice sunburn.
If we could rewind our day, we would definitely use the sunscreen. Since that is not available to us, we need to deal with the consequences of our actions, which means taming the bite of the sunburn.
Vinegar, the multi-purpose liquid, is the antidote to the rescue today.
This is how it is done:
Have the afflicted person lie down, preferably on a non-absorbing surface. Yes, that is probably the kitchen floor, but at least have the person lie on a towel.
Grab your plain white vinegar, soak some paper towels, and lay them on the affected (burned) area. Yes, this will smell bad, and yes, some vinegar may run off the towels onto the floor. Leave the towels on for 5-10-15 minutes, then remove and let the skin dry. Some folks recommend putting the vinegar in a spray bottle, and just spraying the skin, but I have never used that approach.
This can be repeated as necessary, and there should be relief after the first application.
I can hear you naysayers: This is too smelly, too messy, it can’t possibly work. All I can say to you is…fine. Live with your burn. And the pain.
Every. Time. You. Move.
I have seen this work. Way, way back, when we were all foolish teenagers, one of my brothers was badly burned after a day at the beach. (Did we even have sunscreen then?) We visited the neighborhood grocer, who was also a family friend, and he suggested that Brian be treated immediately with vinegar. He did, and the result was pretty impressive, as the pain level was noticeably less.
Now, I am not a doctor, so please use your common sense in regards to using this treatment. I have never used this on a young child, so I cannot speak to whether or not this is a safe and/or effective treatment for them. Some folks say this doesn’t work if it isn’t done within 24 hours, but I don’t have experience with that either. If you are ill following your exposure, you may want to see a doctor. Drink lots of water, and use aloe to soothe your skin as well, since it has been crispy fried…
So, now you know…vinegar is a great help for sunburns!
When I was in college (and YES we had sunscreen way back then – don’t you remember Coppertone and the kid’s naked butt?? smile) we were so wise. We just knew baby oil and iodine would help us tan. Never mind that I NEVER tan with my pasty white skin!! Needless to say I missed a few days of classes because my back area was RED and I couldn’t bend my knees they were so burned. I called home and my dad is the one who said, “Vinegar, NOW!” Ugh and phooey – but thank goodness I was still smart enough to listen to daddy. I was relatively pain free and didn’t even peel too badly. Even tho Alpha Son has that beautiful olive-ish skin he still had a few occasions where I tortured him with the smell of vinegar. It works – amazingly so. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
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I loved that Coppertone kid with the naked butt! Baby oil and iodine? Oh, my! Being a country girl I somehow missed out on that one. You are most welcome for the joyful trip down memory lane!