Despite your best efforts, you paid a price for a day in the sun, and now you're sunburned. Ultraviolet rays of the sun eventually cover your sun cabinet, causing the red, painful sunburn you are familiar with. You might think of using aloe gel, a drug commonly used to reduce the symptoms of sunburn. Although the side effects of this treatment are small and recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology, the efficacy of aloe vera on sunburn has not been confirmed by scientific research. Circumstantial evidence from laboratory and animal studies suggests that it may be beneficial, but there is almost no direct evidence that human aloe gel is effective for sunburn. 
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(image: kameliq/istock/getty images) Aloe Vera is a herbal medicine used for thousands of years. From skin problems to constipation to arthritis. It is from the aloe plant, also known as Aloe Barbes Miller. Aloe vera gel is a jelly like substance in plants. It is a major part of 39 leaves and plants, and is used for skin conditions. some sunscreen lotions, gel and spray aloe preparations are specially used for sunburn. Many sunburn products containing aloe also contain other ingredients, such as vitamin A, C, D and E, oil, other herbs or local anesthetics - anesthetics. These extra substances are said to reduce sunburn symptoms or promote skin health. Homemade aloe gel can simply cut a leaf and take out the transparent gel.The American Academy of Dermatology recommends moisturizing creams containing aloe or soy to relieve sunburn symptoms. However, AAD warns against using any lotion containing local anesthetics, such as benzocaine or lidocaine, because anesthetics can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Any formulation containing Vaseline should also be avoided, as this waxy component absorbs heat in the skin and aggravates sunburn pain.
aad suggests using cold water bath or shower and applying wet and cold towels on the skin as additional sunburn treatment. The group also points out that anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil (motrin) or aspirin may help relieve pain and swelling. Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream may help alleviate severe symptoms.
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Although Aloe Vera has a long history of use and aad recommendations, there is little scientific evidence that Aloe Vera can alleviate sunburn symptoms or accelerate healing. Few studies directly assess these impacts. A study published in the September 2005 Journal of the Thai Medical Association found that among 20 healthy volunteers, 70% aloe cream was ineffective in treating sunburn within three weeks of exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The area of skin treated with aloe vera and cream containing no active ingredients is the same. In February 2008, 40 volunteers published in the Journal of skin pharmacology and physiology showed that 97.5% of aloe gel, 1% hydrocortisone gel and 1% Hydrocortisone Cream were compared under standard ultraviolet irradiation. 2 days later, the skin area treated with Aloe Vera was less than that treated with hydrocortisone gel, but it was more red than that treated with Hydrocortisone Cream. These results suggest that high concentration of aloe may have some anti-inflammatory effects. Limited indirect evidence suggests that local use of aloe vera can reduce inflammation and accelerate healing of wounds and burns, which are caused by overheating. These studies also showed that aloe has antioxidant activity and can counteract the damage of free radicals accumulated in inflammatory tissues. However, the antioxidant effect of aloe has not been studied in human body. Some human studies have reported that Aloe improves wound and thermal burn healing. However, according to the authors of the Cochrane Systems Review Database published in February 2012 and the Journal in September 2007, the number of high-quality studies conducted so far is insufficient to clearly prove that aloe vera can improve healing. & quot; burn. ", , published in April in the Journal of pharmacognosy, published in June 2014, showed that aloe gel has certain anti-inflammatory effects when skin is exposed to liquid irritants. After 6 days of treatment with aloe gel, 1% hydrocortisone gel or water, the red degree of aloe decreased by 17%, which is similar to that seen by hydrocortisone, but less than that seen by water. In another part of the study, aloe gel also improved the hydration of the skin, although this effect did not continue with repeated use. According to the data of the National Center for complementary and comprehensive health, the general side effects of
, aloe vera gel, are usually safe. Except for the extremely rare severe allergic reactions, side effects are limited to the skin. Mild discomfort may occur at the site of use. Local skin reactions are characterized by rashes, with or without itching or tingling, and may develop. These reactions may be more common in homemade aloe preparations containing contaminants from plant bark. Commercial aloe products usually do not contain these substances. Of the 2014 studies published in the Journal of pharmacognosy, 19% used aloe gel to treat mild skin reactions. Warnings and precautions stops using aloe vera gel if you develop symptoms of local skin reactions, such as redness, rash or itching. If symptoms of severe allergic reactions occur, such as skin rash or redness, swelling of the lips or tongue, shortness of breath, asthma, dizziness or loss of consciousness, seek medical attention immediately. Severe sunburn often causes blisters and swelling. When sunburn involves a large part of the body, fever, chills, weakness and even loss of consciousness may occur. If you have severe sunburn in a large area, see a doctor immediately, especially if you notice these additional symptoms. Bubbles should be allowed to be discharged by themselves, and the area should be kept clean once this happens. If pus is found, or the swelling in the blister area deteriorates, consult a doctor, as this may indicate infection.
Auditor: Tina M.St.John, M.D.
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