Summer is upon us, and we can finally bid adieu to warm clothes and staying indoors. This also calls for sunbathing and relaxing by the beach. As exciting as that sounds, excessive exposure to the sun is scary enough to drop all plans. Think about it. Surface-level problems are the least of your concerns. The results are dangerous as they could lead to photodermatitis and worst of all, sunburns.
We all know a generous application and re-application of sunscreen is required every time you step outside. However, it is possible that you miss some patches and only realize when it starts to hurt. A grave indication of a bad sunburn. This gets unbearable when you wish to get a good night’s rest.
But why? Why Are sunburns worse at night?
- Firstly, sunburns take time to develop. It may occur sometime after sun exposure but it gets severe with every hour passing. That’s when the irritation and itchiness begin to escalate.
- Another reason is that at night your body is in direct and constant contact with the linens and beddings. This causes friction which exacerbates the discomfort levels.
- Lastly, at night there are a lot fewer distractions. Although it gets calmer by the end of the day, the attention to pain and itchiness increases.
Let’s cut to the chase and help you how to sleep with a sunburn
Moisturize well
Parched, dry skin contributes to already irritated skin. While there could be several products to choose from; go simple and effective. Aloe Vera gel works great to soothe sunburnt skin. It moisturizes and provides sunburn relief. With that, you get rid of inflammation and pain and wake up, rested.
Stay Cool
Yes, keeping a calm mind is one way to go but, in this case, a cool body will help you tremendously. A chilled environment enables you to get better sleep. Also, it will improve sleep quality and reflect on your mood and stress levels. Make sure the room temperature is more relaxed than usual. It will work immensely well on itchiness and dryness.
That said, another idea would be to use a memory foam bed that traps heat and is easy on your skin. A cold-water bath before sleep is a great way to prevent dryness.
Stay Hydrated
Sunburns could lead to dehydration. Water loss is so common and people, unconsciously, neglect it. Drinking enough water guarantees better sleep quality. Make sure to stay hydrated the entire day. With a hydrated body and skin, the chances of troubled sleep will be bleak.
Flip the Fabrics
As mentioned before, friction elevates irritation. For better sleep and prolonged relaxation, ditch the tight-fitting clothes and polyester or nylon sheets, etc. Make sure to wear breathable fabrics that provide ventilation. Switch to light-colored, cotton sheets that are easy on the body and cause less friction.
Sunburn Drink
A revolutionary new product has recently hit the market and is available on Amazon. Sunburn Drink is an all-natural beverage that will greatly reduce or eliminate the symptoms of a sunburn within 7-12 hours.
Sleep On It! The phrase works perfectly well in this situation. Sleeping with sunburn, despite the discomfort, is a great sunburn treatment. Make sure to get as much rest as possible to alleviate the harsh symptoms that follow. While you might heal within 48 hours, the pain can be reduced to a significant level with a good night’s sleep. Follow the tips mentioned above and sleep your way through the sunburn; peacefully.