Science seeks ways to take sting out of sunburn

If you’ve hit the beach, chances are you’ve experienced an unfortunate rite of summer: The sunburn. Skin so swollen it hurts to bend.

The heat that rises from reddened shoulders. The “ow, ow, ow” from the shower after you’d thought the pain had faded.

For all the creams that promise to soothe, there aren’t super treatments for a sunburn. Dermatologists say the best bet: Some of the same pills you pop for a headache — like the ibuprofen found in Motrin and Advil, or naproxen brands such as Aleve.

If that sounds too simple, well, scientists don’t know exactly what causes this kind of touch-sensitive pain. But research is getting them closer to some answers.

For more on this story, see the July 28 issue of the Navarre Press or subscribe online.