Learn how to prevent or soothe burns, ease cuts and scrapes, eliminate athlete’s foot, calm poison ivy, ease the sting of bug bites, and more
Who doesn’t love the long sunny days of summer? Whether they involve biking, swimming, barbecuing, or just relaxing on a patio with a good book or a cold drink, it’s easy to love those hot, sunny days. Because summer doesn’t last long in this part of the world, it’s easy to pack the days full of fun activities, which can also mean a risk of sunburns, poison ivy, splinters, athlete’s foot, and other mishaps can take the joy out of the season. Here are my tips for a simple, all-natural summer first aid to help you make this summer your best one yet.
Soothe Sunburns
While some sunshine is great and provides natural vitamin D, too much of a good thing can be a problem. While you can slather your skin in sunscreen, most are packed with toxic chemicals. According to board-certified plastic surgeon Arthur Perry, MD, FACS, fifteen chemicals are commonly used in sunscreens to block UV light from penetrating the skin, only two are safe: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. He found that nine of these substances are known endocrine disruptors that are absorbed into the blood and can be detected in urine, blood, breast milk for up to two days after a single application. Dr. Perry indicates that these endocrine disruptors upset the estrogen balance in the body and increase the risk of certain cancers like breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer. So, be sure to check the ingredients on the sunscreen you select to avoid the laundry list of toxic ingredients. Most health food stores have natural options without the toxic ingredients.
You may also reduce your risk of sunburns by eating more lycopene-rich foods like tomatoes, according to research in The Journal of Nutrition. Scientists gave study participants 40 grams of tomato paste that contained about 16 milligrams of lycopene along with a little olive oil to help absorption of the nutrient for ten weeks. While it took about four weeks for participants to start reaping the sun-protection rewards, after that time, those getting the lycopene had significantly less sunburning than those in the control group. You don’t need to eat tomato paste to benefit. Fortunately, fresh tomatoes are readily available to enjoy on their own, in salads, curries, or soups during the summer months.
If you are unable to avoid a sunburn, aloe vera gel relieves pain, speeds healing and prevents blisters. You can purchase a high-quality aloe vera gel in health food stores but you can also keep an aloe vera plant on hand and use fresh gel from one of the leaves. Aloe is easy to grow – just keep it in a sunny windowsill and water every week or so when the soil is dry. To treat your burn, simply break off a leaf, remove the spikes and skin, allow the gel to sit on a paper towel for about 10 minutes to eliminate the latex, then rinse. Apply the gel directly to the burned area a couple of times per day. According to the Journal of Burn Care & Research, aloe vera can dramatically reduce the healing time. Their research showed it even shortened the healing time of second-degree burns by more than a week compared to those who did not use aloe gel.
Ease Cuts and Scrapes
Summer activities undoubtedly result in the occasional cut or scrape. But, with lavender essential oil on hand, you can ease the discomfort and shorten healing time. According to the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, lavender improved wound healing and reduced the amount of time to heal wounds. Pure lavender essential oil, which is not the same as fragrance oil which should be avoided, is available in most health food stores. And, a bottle of lavender oil conveniently fits into a purse or backpack. Most people can handle pure lavender essential oil neat (undiluted) on their skin but if you have sensitive skin, dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut, apricot kernal, or sweet almond oil and conduct a skin patch test before using on wounds.
Eliminate Athlete’s Foot
Heat and perspiration increase in the summer, which can put you at risk of a fungal infection like athlete’s foot. Also known as tinea pedis, athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that causes an itchy, burning, or stinging rash on infected skin. It can cause dry, itchy, sore or cracked skin on your feet, in particular. Spending more time barefoot outdoors in public places can also increase your exposure.
Research in the Australasian Journal of Dermatology found that tea tree oil eliminated athlete’s foot in 64% of study participants compared to only 31% in the placebo group. They obtained the study results with a 50% dilution of tea tree oil with a carrier oil.
Place a few drops of a diluted tea tree oil (melaleuca alternifolia) on affected areas of your feet twice daily until the infection is gone and symptoms subside.
Calm Poison Ivy
Few experiences are as enjoyable as a forest hike. Unfortunately, poison ivy is a fairly common plant in the wilderness and even on the edge of manicured suburbs. It’s caused by a resin in the poison ivy plant. The rash usually appears anywhere your skin touches the resin.
Always consult a doctor if you suspect poison ivy, particularly if it is on or near your face, if you have trouble breathing, or if you develop a fever.
The homeopathic remedy Rhus toxicodendron, which is also called Rhus tox, contains minute amounts of the natural substances that encourage the body to heal itself from poison ivy. Available in most health food stores, take a 30C dose (usually pellets, or drops) as soon as you notice symptoms. Take up to 4 doses per day for 3 days. That should help with the itching and the rash should disappear a few days after you’ve stopped taking the remedy. Avoid eating or drinking or putting anything in your mouth 20 minutes before or after taking Rhus tox.
Ease the Sting of Bug Bites
Summer brings hot weather, sun, flowers, picnics…and bugs. In my last month’s column, I shared scientifically proven natural mosquito repellents. But, what can you do if you use these options but still end up with bug bites? There are many great research-documented natural remedies that ease the maddening itch of bug bites, some of which include: lavender, tea tree, and peppermint essential oils, as well as aloe vera gel. Simply apply the remedy of your choice to the affected area, using essential oils diluted in a carrier oil. Of course, conduct a skin test prior to using on bug bites.
Additionally, research showcased in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology found that oatmeal was also effective at alleviating itchy skin and rashes. Oatmeal contains compounds known as avenanthramides that are well-documented soothing agents for irritated skin, including bug bites. Simply apply a small amount of oat flour or quick-cook oats made into a paste with water to the affected area or take an oatmeal bath. Put oats in a tea strainer or a small cloth bag to make sure the oats don’t clog your drain.
This article first appeared in French in Vitalité Québec magazine.
Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD is an award-winning, best-selling, and 25-time published author, whose books include: The Cancer Files, 60 Seconds to Slim, Pain Erasers, and The Ultimate pH Solution. She is the recipient of a Gold Foreword Indies and a Silver Nautilus award. Her work has been featured in Woman’s World, WebMD, Reviews.com, Yahoo!, Yoga Magazine, and Mother Earth News. Her book, Pain Erasers, was selected by Woman’s World as the “Best New Book.” She is the publisher of the popular free newsletter at DrMichelleCook.com. Follow me on: https://Facebook.com/drschoffrocook https://Instagram.com/mschoffrocook https://X.com/mschoffrocook. If you found this information helpful, consider buying me a coffee. Check out my latest book: THE CANCER FILES: Discover Powerful Anticancer Foods, Herbs, Nutrients & Strategies.
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