When aloe fails

[Ladeeda]

Itching is the worst sensation. It's worse than pain. I'd prefer pain. Pain's easy to deal with. Itching can drive you fucking crazy.

I got a really bad sunburn; didn't realize how bad until the blisters appeared a couple days ago. Now it's itchy as fuck all, and aloe isn't working. I've tried vinegar and Tylenol and cool showers and I'm going damn batty. The only thing that seemed to work was drinking, since it numbed my nerve endings. But I have work today, and a volunteer's meeting this evening. How am I supposed to deal with this then?

I'm about to either cry or tear my skin off. FML.

[telecom_goddess]

The only other thing I can think of is noxema?

[the_std]

If you can, try an oatmeal bath. Very soothing for the skin - it's what is recommended when you have the Itchy Scourge, the chicken pox.

[Andara Bledin]

Unfortunately, the itching is part of the healing process, and as such, aloe won't be any great help.

Here's a page with a bunch of options. I have no idea how good or safe these are, so do your research before trying them.

My last two burns (sun and soup, respectively) were awful and I found that if I either kept the area in question covered by clothing or kept a fan going that I could feel blowing on the affected area, it helped reduce the overall itching issue.

^-.-^

[anakhouri]

Can you use hydrocortisone cream on it? It works on bug bites. I don't know if it is safe to use on healing skin though.

I got an incredibly bad burn last year; I was so busy making sure my son had sunscreen on, I forgot to put any on me! I'll never make that mistake again. You can still see it; the skin is darker where the burn was so you can see the outline of my swimsuit on my back.

[Ladeeda]

The oatmeal bath worked for a bit (though the rum probably helped).

A friend directed me elsewhere. Looks like it's a sun rash. How annoying. ><

Hoping against hope that the itching stops tomorrow. Or at least is tolerable.

[Boozy]

Can you use hydrocortisone cream on it? It works on bug bites. I don't know if it is safe to use on healing skin though.

You really shouldn't use a hydrocortisone cream unless your doctor has recommended it for a specific skin issue. I realize these creams are topical and low-dose, but it is a steroid.

Most people have a tube of hydrocortisone lying around their medicine cabinets from a previous inflammation, and are tempted to use it for any skin issue. But it's not a good idea.

[anakhouri]

Khan gets the worst reaction to mosquito bites I've ever seen, and his doctor told me to use hydrocortisone to keep him from scratching them bloody. Seems to work, mostly.

[tropicsgoddess]

Solarcaine helps with the itching and the burning sensations of sunburns. I also like that it can help your burn heal up quicker if you treat the burn in time.

[blas87]

Preparation H helps pimples.

Don't even ask. I got desperate.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Wow. I have a way to get rid of itch, but it's for rashes and I'd recommend you NOT use it on a burn.

However, take a painkiller. Itch is a type of pain and painkillers will lessen it.