Immunity Introduction When it comes to the immune system, two words that are most important are antigens and antibodies. To put it simply, antigens are any foreign bodies or toxins that initiate an immune response in the body. Antibodies are proteins produced by the body to fight against these antigens. Let us just assume our body’s immune system and its response as an interesting drama that plays as long as we live. Now, certainly, it should have some main characters without which the drama never unfolds. White blood cells (WBC) , also known as leukocytes are the key factors or main characters that help build and maintain a strong immune system in our body. They circulate through the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels and do a constant patrol every time so that our body is always ready to fight any foreign body. WBCs are mainly 2 types: Phagocytes Lymphocytes Phagocytes As the name suggests, these cells engulf and absorb the pathogens, just like that! Remember the terms Neutrophils
Sunburn is often experienced during summers where the skin exposed to the sun gets tanned and forces people to cover it up. It could happen at any time of a year as the skin is exposed to the harmful UV rays of the sun which cause sunburns. When your skin is getting exposed to the sun, it starts producing melanin. The melanin pigment is present on the top skin layer and is responsible for its color. It is also a factor that determines how tan your skin can get. In fact, melanin production is determined by the genetics.
Also, fair people have lesser melanin production and this is why they often experience sunburns. The fact is that tan can help in protecting the skin from the UV rays. It acts as a protective shield with SPF 4 and the best ways to prevent sunburns is to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays. You can even use home remedies that are helpful in reducing the redness and the stinging pain caused due to sunburns along with applying a good sunscreen with SPF 50+whenever you go out during the day.
Below is the list of the home remedies that help in treating sunburns effectively:
Milk:
Using chilled cool milk as a compress is one of the easiest ways to cool down the sunburns. Just refrigerate a cup of milk and use a cool milk compress to soothe the sunburns. It is one of cost-effective and simplest ways to protect your skin and heal it faster. The coolness of the milk will help reduce the heat and creates a layer of protein that helps protect the skin, soothe, and heal it faster.
How to use?
In a bowl of milk, put a clean cloth so that it is completely soaked. Squeeze of the excess milk and drape it across the burn. Press it gently so that it stays on the sunburnt area for a longer time. Make sure you use only cool milk to heal your sunburns.
Caution:
Use only cool milk to treat your sunburns as it helps in soothing the affected area.
Potato:
If you find yourself having sunburn, then use potato paste to heal it. Potato is helpful in relieving pain and it works amazingly in treating minor burns, scratches, bites etc. and helps reduce inflammation. Also, potato juice can be used to treat sunburns. Try using both potato slices and potato juice in treating your sunburns.
How to use?
Take two potatoes and peel their skin. Grate them into a fine paste or blend them. After blending it, you can get a thick liquid. Take a cotton swab and dip it in this potato juice. Apply it on the sunburnt area. You can even apply potato paste over it. Alternatively, you can take a clean cloth and soak it in this potato juice solution. Place this cloth over the sunburnt area.
Caution:
This remedy has no side-effects and works amazingly in treating the sunburns.
Cornstarch solution is a cool and soothing remedy in treating the sunburns. It has a silky texture like milk and is often found in your kitchen rack. It helps reduce the pain and lessen the redness caused due to sunburns.
How to use?
Mix cornstarch and water in the ratio of 2:1 or depending on the area you have to cover. You need to add water slowly until this mixture reaches a thin consistency or a paste-like consistency. Add only cold water. Apply this paste on the affected area and leave it until the pain is reduced or until you experience relief from the burning sensation. Wash off completely after it dries.
Caution:
Use only chilled distilled water while preparing cornstarch paste as it helps provide better relief from sunburns.
Mint helps in naturally soothing and cooling the affected region including sunburns. The theobromine and tannic acid in mint tea helps in relieving pain and soothe the sunburn when applied topically over the burnt area.
How to use?
Take 250ml water in a pan and allow it to boil. Add 5 green tea bags in this pan filled with water. Also, add three cups of fresh peppermint leaves in this pan. Pour boiling water over the teabags and mint leaves and cover this pan with a lid. Let it sit for an hour or so that you can get all its benefits. Strain this solution and put it in the freezer. When this solution is chilled thoroughly, use a clean cloth or cotton pads to soak in this solution. Apply it on the sunburnt area. You can even pour this solution directly over the affected area. If you don’t have green tea bags, use black tea ones as they also contain tannins.
Caution:
Use a chilled solution only to treat the sunburns. When the solution reaches room temperature, you need to freeze it again and then use it.
Aloe gel is a great remedy useful in treating sunburns. It cools the burns, creates a soothing sensation, and helps reduce the redness caused due to sunburns. Aloe gel is used in treating several other ailments such as acne, pimples etc. Aloe gel is free from chemicals and you can use it in treating larger sunburns as well.
How to use?
Take an aloe vera stem and extract its gel. Spread the gel on the affected area and leave it for a while until it dries off completely. You can even purchase aloe vera gel if you are not having a plant. This remedy works amazingly in treating sunburns.
Caution:
This remedy has no side-effects in treating sunburns.
ACV is being used since many years in treating several ailments. However, there is no evidence stating how apple cider vinegar works in treating this condition, but some people recommend it for sunburns. Pure unfiltered ACV works best and shows great results when used after having a cool shower.
How to use?
Try this remedy after taking a cool shower. Fill your spray bottle with pure unfiltered ACV and spray it over the affected area. You can even soak a cotton swab in this ACV solution and then apply it on the sunburns. Allow it to dry.
Caution:
Make sure you don’t have cuts on the affected area as ACV might cause a stinging sensation. Use only pure unfiltered ACV when you are trying this remedy.
Witch hazel has been known as a traditional remedy in healing various ailments. Witch hazel is a medicinal plant, but only the bark, leaves, and twigs are used for medicinal purposes. They contain tannins which are chemical compounds and on applying topically they help reduce swelling, damage caused to the skin, and also keep bacteria at bay. Witch hazel is available in the form of distilled liquid extract.
How to use?
Distilled liquid witch hazel extract is also known as witch hazel water which is distilled from the dried twigs, leaves, and bark of the plant. The amount of this extract you will need depends on the area you want to cover. Pour the required amount of water into a bowl. Soak a clean cloth in this solution. Dab it over the affected area or place it on the sunburnt area.
Caution:
This remedy has no side-effects.
Oatmeal bath:
Use plain rolled oats for this remedy. The polysaccharides present in the oatmeal will help in healing your affected skin faster. The water in it helps cool down and keeps your skin moist and hydrated. Make sure you have a nice tepid bath. Cold water will help in sealing off the pores and helps cool down the sunburns.
How to use?
Take a clean cotton tube socks. Fill it with uncooked oatmeal and tie its top. Make sure that the oatmeal doesn’t leak out. Take a tepid water bath after tossing the sock in the tub and allowing it to soak for a few minutes. Squeeze out the sock to get all its benefits and repeat the same process again. Follow this remedy until the water in the tub becomes cloudy. Now take a bath and your skin feels much better and relaxed. Pat dry using a clean dry towel and apply moisturizer after your bath.
Caution:
Don’t take this bath for a longer time as it can make your skin turn dry.
Yogurt:
Plain yogurt has lots of healthy enzymes and probiotics that are helpful in healing your skin. It can help in soothing your skin instantly.
How to use?
Take a cup of plain yogurt to treat the sunburns on the face, back, neck etc. or any other larger areas. Apply cool plain yogurt directly on the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes or until it dries off completely. You can experience a soothing relief from the burning sensation caused due to the sunburns. Rinse off with cool water after the pain subsides.
Caution:
Use only the plain yogurt varieties but not the vanilla or any other flavored ones.
Cucumber helps in treating your scorched skin instantly. Cucumber is used in soothing the burns not only because it is cool, but due to the presence of potent antioxidant and analgesic compounds that help promote faster healing and relief from the discomfort. It can be used in several ways to treat sunburns as it helps reduce pain, swelling, and redness.
How to use?
Take a cucumber and add a bunch of cucumber slices in the blender. Blend them well and use this cucumber juice to apply topically over the affected area. Freeze this cucumber juice and then dip a clean cloth or cotton swab in this solution. Apply it over the affected area. You can also place two or more slices over the affected area. Add aloe gel or cornstarch solution to thicken the consistency of cucumber juice.
Caution:
This remedy has no side-effects and can be used several times a day to treat sunburns.
Baking soda is one such cost-effective remedy in treating sunburns. When applied topically it can help in soothing the affected area. All you need is to take a tepid bath by adding little baking soda to your bath tub.
How to use?
Take a baking soda bath for 10-20 minutes. Don’t bathe for more than 20 minutes. Don’t use a towel to wipe off your skin. Let it air-dry and don’t wipe away the baking soda.
Caution:
Don’t have a baking soda bath for more than 20 minutes as it can turn your skin dry and flaky. Also, don’t forget to apply a sunscreen with greater SPF.
Cold water is helpful in soothing the skin affected due to sunburns. It helps reduce pain and burning sensation, redness caused due to sunburns. Use ice cubes or an ice pack for treating sunburns on the face or on the smaller areas on the skin.
How to use?
Take a bowl filled with cold water and ice cubes so that the water doesn’t reach the room temperature early. Dip a cotton cloth or a towel in this water and apply it over the affected area. Leave it for a while. You can simply place a few ice cubes directly on the affected area. Follow this remedy whenever possible until you experience better results and soothing relief.
Caution:
This remedy has no side-effects and can be followed several times a day until it is no longer needed.
Strawberries:
Strawberries are a great source of antioxidants and can be used for skin care as well. It contains special compounds known as tannins that help in reducing the burning sensation caused due to sunburns. You can apply mashed strawberries paste topically on the affected areas.
How to use?
Take a handful of strawberries and mash them into a thick fine paste. You can apply it topically on the skin and leave it for a few minutes. This remedy helps in soothing the burnt area and reduces the pain and swelling caused due to sunburns. Follow this remedy regularly until you experience great results.
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