sunburn!

I don't have any magic cures, I can't prevent emergency room visits, and the only advice I can give about prevention is the standard cover up and/or use sunblock. But this week, my husband and two of the kids came home from fishing with nasty lobster skin, and we at least found a few things that offered temporary relief.

1. A spray bottle of water does absolute wonders. Mist those legs frequently. (It also offers the advantage of cooling the skin and slowing the burn's progress, which continues after getting out of the sun.)

2. Everyone's said it, and I'll say it too: aloe vera. Use it liberally and often. It not only cools longer than water, it also moisturizes the skin skin and helps reduce drying and damage. Keep a big bottle of the stuff (look for pure, no additives) on the bathroom counter beside the toilet, and slather yourself every time you use the bathroom.

3. A cool bath. Soak till just at the point of pruniness, then use a gentle lotion while your skin is still moist. That locks in the water that your skin has absorbed.

4. Standard health advice especially applies: drink lots of water and get plenty of rest. The water will help hydrate you (and your skin) from the inside out, and the rest gives your body a chance to heal on the cellular level.

5. An anti-fever medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help you to cool down.

Finally, do not do any of this in substitution for medical care if needed. Sunburns are serious business, and you really should do what you can to avoid them.