From forgetting sunscreen to lying too long in the sun on a tropical holiday, a sunburn on a trip can put a damper on your summer (or winter) fun. While there is no going back once that redness settles on your skin, you can elevate your pain and create some sense of comfort in many ways.
Unsplash/Antonio Gabola
Looking for ways to soothe your sunburn while you’re on the road? Here are a few essential adjustments and ailments you can incorporate to travel in comfort and style while sporting a shade of crimson.
Stay hydrated
While sunburnt skin might cause pain and discomfort, this skin-cell-damaging experience can often result in individuals feeling ill from being in the sun. Dehydration can be a nasty after effect of too much exposure to the sun.
From headaches to sudden chills, dehydration symptoms can be a nightmare to deal with while travelling to various activities and destinations. Be sure to drink more than your average water intake and drink electrolytes to ensure you replenish your body.
Drink Aspirin
By taking aspirin or Ibuprofen, you’ll be able to relieve your blistering body, as this medication is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. This will allow you to manage the pain caused by sun exposure effectively so that you can travel and not miss your planned trip activities due to discomfort.
Tip: If you plan on taking a bush trip, consider other first aid medication you’ll need to pack to ensure a safe and pleasant adventure.
Try to stay out of the sun
While you can always try to grin and bear the agony, sometimes it’s best to give your body the time it needs to heal. Whether you’re on a beach holiday or made the grave mistake of adding sunscreen to your ski packing list, you can always research alternative indoor options instead of heading outdoors.
If you plan on venturing outside, try to get as much shade as possible during peak sun exposure hours (usually between 10 am and 4 pm).
Keep applying sunscreen (even when indoors)
There is one rule for applying sunscreen—there is no such thing as using too much sunscreen throughout the day. As your skin is very vulnerable, you’ll need to pack on sunscreen even more to prevent further damage.
Did you know airplane windows do not protect your skin from UV rays and could cause sunburn while onboard? So, when flying or indoors, it’s important to reapply sunscreen to protect you at all times.
