Any ideas on how to relieve the pain of a bad sunburn on face (mostly eyelids)?

This happened to one of my kids this summer, and honestly I just gave him a cool, clean, damp washcloth to rest over his eyes while he slept. It was soothing, but non-irritating. You could try taking an Advil/ibuprofen to combat the swelling, if you’re comfortable taking something like that.

Cool, wet tea bags might help.

Aloe gel and a cold compress has helped alleviate the sunburn pain for me.

By chance, are you on an antibiotic? One time I went to the beach while on one, and got a wicked sunburn, despite sunscreen. I later found out that some medications make a person more susceptible, not that it really matters at this point.

I hope you heal quickly.

A lotion containing aloe Vera or a sleeping mask infused with aloe vera (can be found in spa product stores such a Bath and Body Works) are probably the safest and most effective options for around the eye. Anything with aloe vera will generally help to alleviate the pain of a sunburn.

All such great advice thank you for such quick answers :) I’m going to try all of them
@Pied Pfeffer – you may have just solved the mystery! I never burn usually and I even had on a face sunscreen (spf50) but I also just finished up a week of Bactrim for a nasty spider bite. It all makes sense now. I thought I was losing my mind (or that global warming was speeding up) I suppose I should have read the warnings a little better

Yogurt helped my niece a while ago. [ I knew it will help ]. Also vinegar but near the eyes you have to be really careful.

Also someone said green tea. Helped too.

Another one said aloevera but this helps if you are not allergic to it.

Calamine lotion is another treatment for sunburn as it has a soothing effect.

Virgin coconut oil. It is so amazing. I had the worst sunburn of my life recently, and it was the only thing that really helped. I also used liberal amounts of aloe vera.

I had a double burn while skiing one year (one from the sun, and a second one from the reflection of the sun on the snow). My friends split open an aloe vera leaf and had me put the juice on my face. For about 15 minutes or so I endured extreme itching, and then all the fire left. Within 45 minutes the temperature of my skin went down to normal. I applied a second coat, and overnight my skin turned to a deep tan and the blisters went down. In a few more days all that peeled off, and the skin underneath remained deeply tanned.

I don’t know if this would work for everyone, but it worked for me. I did notice that the aloe leaf was from a large very healthy plant, which may make a difference for you.

Ouch.

100% aloe.

Cool cloths.

You just have to live through it. If your eyelids blister, I might consider seeing a doctor.

I was burned so severely my skin cracked open and bled, the emergency room doctor told me to use Philips Stool Softener. It dries white and chalky so you can’t wear it out but it felt fucking amazing. Aloe was too sticky to have over my whole body but Philips has an extremely high Milk of Magnesia concentration which soothes and calms the skin. Just dab it on, let air dry. Happy happy.

Also, sometimes you can’t find an aloe plant to cut fresh leaves off of, but you can always find a drug store.

And FYI, I used the stuff on my face for the entire time I was sunburned. Just take a cotton ball, paper towel wad whatever and dip and dab. It’s liquid so it cools you down fast too.

@ asmonet – you have saved my life . It felt better instantly! My dr agreed with what you said and I’m even going out like that bc I have no shame :D it feels so much better

Also thanks again to everyone for the help – all the tips greatly improved my pain level last night and my face should heal soon enough

@JessicaRTBH: Aaah! I’m so happy to hear that! I love passing that along, even on minor sunburns now I jump in and tell people like I’m a crazy person because it works SO WELL – and bonus you don’t need to keep it alive, and it’s like $5 and lasts forever.

I’m so glad you’re feeling better, and thanks for updating us!

Aloe vera.