Mum shares sunburn treatment she guarantees will offer relief in just 30 minutes
Cindie Allen-Stewart says her method to soothe sunburn was originally shared by a doctor 40 years ago and has since been invaluable to generations in her family
A mum has detailed her sunburn treatment which she says will soothe pain within 30 minutes.
Temperatures peaked at 32.2C in west London on Thursday, and were widely around the 30C mark elsewhere as Brits rejoiced another day of sizzling weather. It comes with its pitfalls too, as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued nine heat health alerts across all regions of England, and doctors have warned Brits to apply suncream regularly.
Even with the protection, the risk of sunburn remains - and it can become serious if left untreated. However, Cindie Allen-Stewart, a mum from Texas, has encouraged anyone with sunburn to apply menthol foam shaving cream on the affected skin, as she says this will bring out the heat. This then should be rinsed off after 30 minutes in a cool shower or bath and the pain will soothe, Ms Allen-Stewart added.
The alternative treatment, she says, was recommended by her mother-in-law, who originally got the advice from a doctor some 40 years ago. However, Ms Allen-Stewart stressed prevention is better than cure and recommended people apply sunscreen before going out in the heat.
READ MORE: UK weather maps show dark red as half a month's rain to brutally end heatwave
The unconventional advice has been lauded on social media by people who fallen foul of the scorching heat so far this week and, with it set to continue for several days yet, could become useful for other Brits. Doctors, though, stress traditional approaches, such as the use of aftersun cream or spray found at pharmacists, will help treat any sunburn.
"First, buy some menthol foam shaving cream. It has to be the foam and it has to have menthol in it. Next, apply the shaving cream on the burn. It may seem like it's a strange shaving ritual, but trust me," Ms Allen-Stewart wrote on social media.
"Don't rub it in, just let it sit on your skin. It will start bringing all that heat out (you'll be able to feel it). You may feel like you are itchy too, but that's a good thing! Itching means healing."
According to Wales Online, the shaving cream will quickly break down into spots and become dry. The mum continued: "You will feel as if you're becoming a little cold. At least on the sunburned part of your body. THAT IS A GOOD SIGN! Next, rinse it off in a lukewarm or cool shower or bath. It's just to get the residue off.
"Finally, if you still need it, do it again the next day. Usually after that second treatment, the sunburn disappears. I use this on my kids too! I'm not saying to go out and do this, I was just showing my friends what I do. Please remember to always use sunscreen!
"Too much sun exposure can be dangerous and lead to cancer. By no means am I endorsing going out without sunscreen! I burn with sunscreen as well and know of the hassle, but it is worth it to wear it!"
Writing online, social media users praised the tip. One responder shared: "This works amazing! With aloe you have to keep putting it on and it doesn't help for very long. But the menthol shaving cream stopped the burning feeling after the first use permanently, and after the second I hardly feel the sunburn." Another enthused: "This is a godsend and saved my life already this summer!".
But the NHS website highlights the seriousness of sunburn, particularly if the skin gets blistered or swollen, or if you have a headache or muscle cramps following the exposure to the heat. In these cases, you should call NHS 111 for further advice.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits warned against drinking orange juice this weekend for crucial reason
Brits are being encouraged to avoid popular beverages such as orange juice, alcohol, fizzy pop, and even smoothies over the next couple of days - or risk causing harm to the body Brits have been issued a stark warning about drinking seemingly-harmless orange juice in the coming days. With the UK facing the hottest days of the year so far, health authorities are urging the public to be especially careful about their beverage choices during the ongoing heatwave. On June 19, temperatures reached a scorching 32°C in some areas of Great Britain — making it the hottest day of the year so far — with similar highs expected on June 20 and a peak of 33°C on Saturday. While many people might instinctively reach for a cold, refreshing thirst-quencher to cool down, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning against drinking orange juice, as well as other fruit juices, during the heatwave. The UKHSA explains that 'fruit juice, smoothies and soft drinks can be high in sugar which dehydrates the body'. UK weather maps show dark red as half a month's rain to brutally end heatwave It therefore advises people to 'limit the amount of fruit juice or smoothies that you drink, and swap sugary soft drinks for diet, sugar-free or no added sugar varieties'. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, with the risk heightened during periods of extreme heat. To avoid becoming dehydrated, its recommended options to stay healthily hydrated are water, diluted squash and lower fat milks. If dehydration is not addressed, it can lead to more severe health problems such as kidney failure, kidney failure or, in the most severe cases, even brain damage. The UKHSA stresses the importance of drinking fluids regularly throughout the day, especially for those who are physically active. The advice is clear and includes a simple indicator for when you are in fact adequately hydrated. "You should drink enough that your pee is a pale straw colour," the body states. And it is not just sugary drinks that should be avoided in the heat. Despite the appeal of a cold pint in a sunny beer garden, alcohol is also best left alone during a heatwave. The UKHSA cautions: " Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on the body. So, it is a good idea to choose alcohol-free options, or alternate alcoholic drinks with a glass of water." This advice is particularly relevant as yellow heat health alerts have been activated for most of England, warning of increased risks to vulnerable groups and greater demand on healthcare services. The current spell of hot weather follows a record-breaking day last Friday, when temperatures reached 29.4°C at Santon Downham in Suffolk, surpassing the previous high for 2025. However, this week's temperatures are not expected to break the all-time June record of 35.6°C set in Southampton during the famous heatwave of 1976. Despite this, the risks associated with heatwaves remain significant, especially for older adults, people with long-term health conditions and younger children. The UKHSA and health experts continue to urge everyone to take sensible precautions and stay hydrated with the right drinks, as well as checking on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure their safety during the extreme heat. Still, enjoy the sun while you can - as in typical British fashion, rain will soon be on the way.
The Guardian
5 hours ago
- The Guardian
Deadly weekend heat in England ‘100 times more likely' due to climate crisis
The dangerous 32C heat that will be endured by people in the south-east of England on Saturday will have been made 100 times more likely by the climate crisis, scientists have calculated. Global heating, caused by the burning of fossil fuels, is making every heatwave more likely and more intense. The 32C (89.6F) day forecast on Saturday would have been expected only once every 2,500 years without the climate crisis, the researchers said, and June heatwaves are now about 2-4C (3.6-7.2F) hotter than in the past. The heat is expected to cause premature deaths, particularly among older and vulnerable people. More than 10,000 people died before their time in summer heatwaves between 2020 and 2024, according to the UK Health Security Agency, and the UK government has been heavily criticised for failing to properly prepare people for extreme weather. Prolonged heat is especially dangerous as it gives no time for people's bodies to cool off. Maximum temperatures in the south-east are expected to be above 28C for three consecutive days. The scientists said this heatwave was made 10 times more likely by the climate crisis. Dr Ben Clarke at Imperial College London, who was part of the research team, said the culprit for the extreme heat was clear. 'This weather just wouldn't have been a heatwave without human-induced warming,' he said. Climate breakdown drove the annual global temperature in 2024 to a new record and carbon dioxide emissions from coal, oil and gas are still rising. If that continues for just two more years, passing the internationally agreed limit of 1.5C above preindustrial levels will be inevitable, intensifying the extreme weather already taking lives in the UK and across the globe. Clarke said: 'With every fraction of a degree of warming, the UK will experience hotter, more dangerous heatwaves. That means more heat deaths, more pressure on the NHS, more transport disruptions, and tougher work conditions. The best way to avoid a future of relentless heat is by shifting to renewable energy.' Dr Friederike Otto, also at Imperial College London, said: 'It is really important to highlight this early summer heatwave because the impacts of heat are still severely underestimated, and the UK is not prepared for this type of weather.' The Climate Change Committee, the government's official advisers, said in April that the UK's preparations for adapting to a changing climate were 'inadequate, piecemeal and disjointed'. Otto said: 'Heatwaves are called the silent killer, because we don't see people dropping dead on the street, but killers they are. In Europe in 2022, more than 60,000 people died in the summer from extreme heat.' Maja Vahlberg at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre said: 'Sadly most people die from heat indoors and alone, especially older people and those with underlying health conditions, such as lung or heart disease.' Prof Mike Tipton, a physiologist at Portsmouth University, said: 'The human body is not designed to tolerate prolonged exposure to this sort of extreme heat. It is undeniable that climate change is now costing British lives. Those politicians and commentators who pour scorn on climate action should reflect on this fact because, until we stop emitting greenhouse gases, these episodes are only likely to become more extreme.' The extremely dry spring, combined with soaring temperatures, means the UK is also facing a high risk of wildfires, said Theodore Keeping, also at Imperial College London: 'We've already seen the highest burnt area on record in the UK this year.' People should take extreme care with fires, barbecues and cigarettes, he said. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion The rapid study of the role of global heating in the predicted weekend heatwave compared the likelihood of the high temperatures in today's hotter climate with that in the cooler preindustrial period. The team, part of the World Weather Attribution group, was also able to reuse detailed climate modelling undertaken for a similar heatwave in 2022, speeding up their conclusions. They said older people were at greatest risk from the high temperatures, but that others with existing vulnerabilities could also be affected, with the effectiveness of some medications being changed by the heat or affecting people's ability to cool down. Sweating is how the body cools so it is vital to drink plenty of water, the researchers said. Closing windows and curtains during the day and opening them in the cool of the night can help keep temperatures in homes down, they said. A recent study estimated that 80% of UK homes overheat in the summer. Temperatures in the UK rose above 40C for the first time in 2022. The Met Office said on Wednesday that the UK had a 50/50 chance of temperatures soaring to 40C again in the next 12 years as the climate crisis worsens and that 45C could not be ruled out. Extreme heat is more deadly than floods, earthquakes and hurricanes combined, according to a report by the insurance giant Swiss Re published on 12 June. 'Up to half a million people globally succumb to the effects of extreme heat each year,' it said. 'Extreme heat used to be considered the 'invisible peril' because the impacts are not as obvious as of other natural perils,' said Jérôme Haegeli, chief economist at Swiss Re. 'With a clear trend to longer, hotter heatwaves, it is important we shine a light on the true cost to human life, our economy, infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare.'
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Mum shares sunburn treatment she guarantees will offer relief in just 30 minutes
Cindie Allen-Stewart says her method to soothe sunburn was originally shared by a doctor 40 years ago and has since been invaluable to generations in her family A mum has detailed her sunburn treatment which she says will soothe pain within 30 minutes. Temperatures peaked at 32.2C in west London on Thursday, and were widely around the 30C mark elsewhere as Brits rejoiced another day of sizzling weather. It comes with its pitfalls too, as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued nine heat health alerts across all regions of England, and doctors have warned Brits to apply suncream regularly. Even with the protection, the risk of sunburn remains - and it can become serious if left untreated. However, Cindie Allen-Stewart, a mum from Texas, has encouraged anyone with sunburn to apply menthol foam shaving cream on the affected skin, as she says this will bring out the heat. This then should be rinsed off after 30 minutes in a cool shower or bath and the pain will soothe, Ms Allen-Stewart added. The alternative treatment, she says, was recommended by her mother-in-law, who originally got the advice from a doctor some 40 years ago. However, Ms Allen-Stewart stressed prevention is better than cure and recommended people apply sunscreen before going out in the heat. READ MORE: UK weather maps show dark red as half a month's rain to brutally end heatwave The unconventional advice has been lauded on social media by people who fallen foul of the scorching heat so far this week and, with it set to continue for several days yet, could become useful for other Brits. Doctors, though, stress traditional approaches, such as the use of aftersun cream or spray found at pharmacists, will help treat any sunburn. "First, buy some menthol foam shaving cream. It has to be the foam and it has to have menthol in it. Next, apply the shaving cream on the burn. It may seem like it's a strange shaving ritual, but trust me," Ms Allen-Stewart wrote on social media. "Don't rub it in, just let it sit on your skin. It will start bringing all that heat out (you'll be able to feel it). You may feel like you are itchy too, but that's a good thing! Itching means healing." According to Wales Online, the shaving cream will quickly break down into spots and become dry. The mum continued: "You will feel as if you're becoming a little cold. At least on the sunburned part of your body. THAT IS A GOOD SIGN! Next, rinse it off in a lukewarm or cool shower or bath. It's just to get the residue off. "Finally, if you still need it, do it again the next day. Usually after that second treatment, the sunburn disappears. I use this on my kids too! I'm not saying to go out and do this, I was just showing my friends what I do. Please remember to always use sunscreen! "Too much sun exposure can be dangerous and lead to cancer. By no means am I endorsing going out without sunscreen! I burn with sunscreen as well and know of the hassle, but it is worth it to wear it!" Writing online, social media users praised the tip. One responder shared: "This works amazing! With aloe you have to keep putting it on and it doesn't help for very long. But the menthol shaving cream stopped the burning feeling after the first use permanently, and after the second I hardly feel the sunburn." Another enthused: "This is a godsend and saved my life already this summer!". But the NHS website highlights the seriousness of sunburn, particularly if the skin gets blistered or swollen, or if you have a headache or muscle cramps following the exposure to the heat. In these cases, you should call NHS 111 for further advice.
