Summer is the time when we all run outdoors to soak up the sun and partake in activities that leaves our skin under the glare of daylight for hours. Consequently sunburn and sunstroke are common results. Homeopathy is a great help with both conditions. Prevention however is always the best option, remembering to “slip, slap, slop” - wear clothing to cover your skin, slap on a hat and slop on some suncream!

Its always wise to have a First Aid kit that also contains essential homeopathic medicines. The most effective medicines for sunburn and sun stroke are Aconite, Belladonna, Cantharis, Causticum, Glonoine and Utrica Urens.

For shock the best medicine is Aconite. One dose of 30c can be given every fifteen minutes for an hour.

Mild burning with redness can be helped with Urtica urens 30c. One dose can  be given every fifteen minutes until pain reduces.

Severe burns with cracking skin and blistering can be helped by Causticum 30c or Cantharis 30c. Cantharis is generally more for second degree burns with intense pain which is smarting and raw. The pain is much relieved by cold water. Causticum is for more serious burns with the burn feeling like the “raw flesh of an open wound”. Cold water will not relieve the pain much and in fact dry cold air can make it worse so  best to turn off the air conditioning. Causticum is also the best remedy when a burn is not healing well. With both medicines, give 30c every 15 minutes until relief. Repeat when necessary.

However always remember a hat, a t-shirt, a bottle of water and factor 20+ suncream will prevent a need for homeopathic treatment

Please note the medicines above are also given for dry burns, chemical burns and scalds as long as the symptoms match.

Sunstroke can be avoided by keeping hydrated and not overheating. Symptoms can range from mild headaches and tiredness and irritability to more severe such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, collapse and delerium. It is essential to cool the person down by wrapping them in wet towels or spraying with cold water. Immersing in an ice cold bath however is contra indicated as it can aggravate shock. Give rehydrating salts (from chemist) or one cup of water with a half teaspoon of salt in it. The best medicines are Aconite for shock and possible convulsions. Belladonna is excellent for a throbbing headache with sensitivity to light and noise with hot, dry skin. If Belladonna does not work for the headache Glonoine will. The difference is that Belladonna headaches are better for bending the head backwards and Glonoine is worse for bending the head backwards.

Aloe vera gel is very soothing when applied to the skin. Hypercal tincture (from most health food stores) can be made into a sterile dressing to put on burns. Put 5ml (20 drops) of Hypercal in 200ml of cool water (that was previously boiled). Keep the dressing moist and change every 6 - 12 hours.