Adults in the U.S. are missing vitamin D because they are not getting enough sunlight and it's causing a vitamin D deficiency. But how much can we get without overexposure? The darker the skin, the more it's protected against skin cancer because of the pigments and it won't absorb as many UV-B rays compared if you're fair skinned. Being fair skinned, you are far less protected since the skin lacks the pigments darker skin has. Like so many people, we took the advice about getting more natural sunlight to heart and now we have a sunburn it stings! We are red, blistery, hot and wish we never exposed our tender skin to the wretched sun. Sunburn can become so severe that you can get sun poisoning. This is when the UV radiation burns your skin and it causes blisters. If that is the case, seek medical help. For the rest of us, what can you do to treat this dreaded malady outside of a cool compress? Have no fear, here are 7 natural remedies that you can use today to treat your sunburn.

Cucumbers

Cucumbers have natural antioxidant and analgesic properties, which will cool the sunburn and give you some relief by reducing the swelling. Place a couple of cucumbers in the refrigerator to chill and then put them in a blender. This will create a paste to use on your skin. You can also add cornstarch to make it thicker. Add aloe vera gel to the paste to combine the healing properties of both. "Remember to use cool gel or paste as the coolness also speeds recovery by constricting your skin’s capillaries, which are bringing in the building blocks of pain and inflammation," Skincare specialist Dr. Cynthia Bailey suggested.

Potatoes

Potatoes can help soothe your burning skin because of the starch in them. You can slice raw potatoes and place on the areas infected. Boil a few potatoes and mash them. Let them cool and "Apply as a dressing to sunburned areas. It is believed that the starch in the potatoes helps draw out heat, which can reduce pain and speed healing," MedicineNet instructed.

Strawberries

The Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry found that strawberries can stop skin cells from being damaged by UVA rays. "We have verified the protecting effect of strawberry extract against damage to skins cells caused by UVA rays," Maurizio Battino, a researcher at the Università Politecnica delle Marche in Italy and lead author of the jointly Spanish and Italian study. Strawberries are great to calm down your scorched skin as well. Mash up several in a blender and apply it with cornstarch and then take a cool shower. You can also leave the mix in the refrigerator overnight and apply it the following day.

Dairy

Milk and yogurt contain properties to alleviate swelling in the skin. Experts believe it comes from the fats and proteins can bring you relief. Apply the compress using milk or yogurt for 20 minutes and repeat this as needed. "The protein, fat, and pH of milk have an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin," prevention.com reported.

Lettuce

Boil lettuce leaves in water and allow it to cool. Strain and then apply this to the skin using cotton balls to soothe skin. You can also put the water in a bottle and mist yourself through the day. Use can also use frozen cabbage leaves or lettuce leaves to help with swelling.

Tea

Apply freshly cooled green tea onto cotton balls or a soft cloth to help the skin. "The tannic acid in black tea reportedly helps draw heat from the sunburned skin and also aids in restoring the pH balance. Add mint to the tea for a more cooling effect," MedicineNet added. The tea also contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate, which helps inflammation. They contain tannins to reduce redness and catechins help repair the damaged skin. You can use cooled tea bags on the skin or make a pitcher of it and add it to your bath.

Vinegar

Add a cup of vinegar to a temperate bath to help take the sting out of the skin. Soak a washcloth in vinegar and pat on areas of the affected areas. Vinegar will balance the pH in the skin and also help with inflammation. "Vinegar will also reduce the likelihood that your skin will form blisters after burning," Bonnie K. McMillen, R.N. explained to livestrong.com. Also, having 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar every day in water may slow the production of histamines to reduce allergies, reduce inflammation overall and helps the body get rid of toxins.

Baking Soda

Create a paste using a half-cup of baking soda and mix it with water 2 cups of water. Add cooked oatmeal to the mixture along with aloe gel and apply where needed. Then allow the skin to air dry or wash off. Baking soda will soothe your burn as it is an antiseptic. It will also get rid of itchiness.

You can save yourself the trouble by preventing sunburn from happening. By covering your skin with light-weight clothes, reducing time in the sun and using sunblock, you can forgo the saga of dealing with scorched skin. But if you do, you could find relief in the kitchen to help remedy your sunburn pain.