Skin treatment options when the heat is on

By KATHERINE HOBY

Everyone knows that getting sunburned is unwise.

We know it can be dangerous to play in the sun too long, let alone extremely painful. We know this, and yet we continue sunbaking.

Many fairer-skinned New Zealanders will end up nursing bright pink skin after the sun has got the better of them at least one day during summer.

The first factor to consider is that sunburn will dehydrate you, and it is important to rehydrate. So start sucking on that waterbottle, now!

When exposed to ultraviolet light for too long your skin cells will overheat, lose moisture and contract. The contraction is what causes the pain.

Other helpful tips include:

* Use aloe vera lotion to calm the skin.

* Calamine might help with itching.

* Always pat the area; rubbing will inflame.

* Apply cold cloths for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.

* Take a cool bath or shower.

* Do not use soap on skin.

* Take painkillers.

* Apply moisturiser when comfortable to do so

Classical homeopath Sally Birks-Davies has some suggestions for those prepared to look for something a little different to the conventional cure.

Because the basic principle of homeopathy is that "like cures like", the products Ms Birks-Davies advocates will cure burns with burns.

If the sunburn has blistered, she suggests cantharis (made from Spanish firefly), or for unblistered skin urtica urens (stinging nettle).

For bee and wasp stings, follow these directions.

Honeybees leave barbed, venom-pumping stingers in the skin. Immediately, using tweezers or fingernails, remove the stinger but avoid squeezing it.

Wasps do not leave stingers.

Treat with ice packs, then calamine lotion.

Herald feature: Health