5 natural remedies for water-bubble sunburns

If your sunburn turns into water bubbles and blisters, here are a few tips to treat and prevent the painful sores.

A regular sunburn can be very painful, but sun bubbles (or blisters), which can develop with severe burns, can be even more excruciating. They can be itchy and possibly lead to skin infections, swelling and fever.

• If your burn turns into a collection of bubbly blisters, you’ll want to seek a remedy that provides relief, speeds up the healing process and helps prevent infection. Be sure to consult your doctor if the problem persists.

Fight off the urge to pick at your sun bubbles. Blisters form to protect your skin. If you try to pop them or scratch them, you'll only cause more damage.

• If they happen to pop on their own, wash the area gently and do not try to remove the skin.
• It’s a good idea to loosely cover the blister with a bandage or gauze. This will help prevent infection.

Though healing can take a few days, there are some remedies you can try to help relieve the discomfort.

• Try using moisturizers with aloe vera to help cool the burn.
• Avoid moisturizers that contain Benzocaine or Lidocaine as these ingredients can irritate your burn.
• Certain over-the-counter medication will also help to relieve some of the pain but be sure to talk to your doctor if the pain is hard to manage.

Natural products found in your kitchen can also provide some relief. Here are a few common household products that make for excellent home remedies.

• Chamomile: Apply a washcloth dipped in chamomile, or soak chamomile teabags in ice water and place it directly on the blisters. Chamomile can help cool and soothe your wound.
• Oatmeal: Use as a compress applied to the affected area or take an oatmeal bath. Soak for half an hour or more.
• Lettuce: Green lettuce is very helpful in fighting pain and inflammation. Boil your lettuce and then refrigerate the leaves for a few hours. Apply them to the blistered areas several times a day.
• Baking soda: Because of its alkaline nature, baking soda is very soothing. It also has antiseptic properties that help relieve the itch that accompanies the bubbly blisters. Add two cups of baking soda to your bath and soak. For instant relief, make a paste with baking soda and water and apply directly to the affected area.

If symptoms do not improve within a few days, or you have a very high fever, you should visit your doctor.