What could be used in place of aloe, and vinager for sunburns?!

You could just kick yourself for getting a sunburn!. And you probably would if you weren't in such pain!.

Reach for a pain reliever!. The old standby aspirin can help relieve the pain, itching, and swelling of a mild to moderate burn!. "Take two tablets every 4 hours," says University of Nebraska dermatologist and assistant professor of internal medicine Rodney Basler, M!.D!. "The same dosage of Tylenol would work also!. Or, if your stomach can tolerate it, you might try three or four tablets of ibuprofen every 8 hours!."

Anticipate a burn!. If you know you've gotten too much sun, try taking aspirin before the redness appears!. "Some doctors recommend 650 milligrams of aspirin [two tablets] soon after sun exposure!. Repeat every 4 hours for up to six doses," says Thomas Gossel, Ph!.D!., R!.Ph!., a professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Ohio Northern University!.

Apply soothing compresses!. Following a burn, the skin is inflamed!. Try cooling it down with compresses dipped in any one of the following substances!. If desired, you can direct a fan on the sunburned area to heighten cooling!.

Cold water!. Use either plain water from the faucet or add a few ice cubes, says Arizona dermatologist Michael Schreiber, M!.D!., senior clinical lecturer in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine!. Dip a cloth into the liquid and lay it over the burn!. Repeat every few minutes as the cloth warms!. Apply several times a day for a total of 10 to 15 minutes each!.

Skim milk!. Milk protein is very soothing, says Dr!. Schreiber!. Mix 1 cup skim milk with 4 cups water, then add a few ice cubes!. Apply compresses for 15 to 20 minutes; repeat every 2 to 4 hours!.

Aluminum acetate!. If itching is intense, says Dr!. Gossel, try mixing Buro-Sol antiseptic powder or Domeboro's powder (both available in pharmacies) with water!. The aluminum acetate in either will keep the skin from getting too dry or itchy!. Follow package directions!.

Oatmeal!. Dermatologist Fredric Haberman, M!.D!., a clinical instructor of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, recommends oatmeal water, which soothes the skin!. Wrap dry oatmeal in cheesecloth or gauze!. Run cool water through it!. Discard the oatmeal and soak compresses in the liquid!. Apply every 2 to 4 hours!.

Witch hazel!. Moisten a cloth with witch hazel, says Dr!. Haberman!. Apply often for temporary relief!. For smaller areas, dip cotton balls into the liquid and gently stroke on!.

Soak the pain away!. An alternative to compressives

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