WTF!?! Use vinegar on sunburns?

[SunnyD]

One of my coworkers apparently got a pretty bad sunburn this past weekend at some event. She was lobster-like in many spots (she used sunscreen, but apparently didn't apply it well enough or often enough)... she was in pain yesterday from it.

I asked how she was doing this morning, and in the dialog she mentioned that many on the internet seem to say to use vinegar on a sunburn to relieve the stinging/burning. WTF?! Why would you put any sort of acid on a burn! Despite acetic acid's many properties... it's ACID!

Needless to say she said it didn't help.

 

[JohnCU]

people told me to put some in the bath tub (ie diluted) and try it, i didn't though.

 

[Injury]

The only smart thing you can do for a sunburn is shower less as the natural oils your body produces are the best remedy. The idea here is that your skin has been scorched and you just gotta wait it out until your skin re-grows.

Even lotion, regarded as the best solution, barely helps.

 

[biggestmuff]

aloe vera gel.

 

[BoomerD]

Never heard of google?

http://www.google.com/search?s...S203&q=vinegar+sunburn

http://lifehacker.com/391792/s...nd-other-home-remedies


There are a lot of "home remedies" for ailments that have been around for many, many years, some effective, some not so effective. (butter on burns?)
Vinegar on MILD sunburns appears to be one of the ones that actually works...

 

[MotF Bane]

My aunt tried butter on her sunburns once. It did not end well.

 

[ForumMaster]

aloe vera indeed does help. mostly, moisturizing cream to help heal the skin is the best. nothing will truly help except for the body growing back the skin and fixing the damage.

 

[George P Burdell]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
aloe vera gel.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: ForumMaster
aloe vera indeed does help. mostly, moisturizing cream to help heal the skin is the best. nothing will truly help except for the body growing back the skin and fixing the damage.

However, moisturizing cream that doesn't have aloe vera in it will often times hold the "heat" in, making you more miserable.

 

[DrPizza]

vinegar seems to help on mild sunburns. Solarcaine is a small fortune for what little relief it provides. And, silvadine (sp) is best

 

[darkxshade]

The best thing to rub on sunburns is hot wax. It works I tell ya.

 

[Kaido]

Major Pain: "Let me see your finger..."

 

[eits]

aloe vera or noxema works better than vinegar.

 

[JDub02]

a number of years ago, someone told my cousin and i that getting in a hot tub helps. we tried it. it doesn't help. in fact, it hurts like you wouldn't believe.

after having some medical training, burn creme and time are the only things that will help. for bad burns, go to the hospital.

 

[Caecus Veritas]

depending on the severity of sunburn, even aloe vera may not be recommended as it will trap the heat.