★☆☆☆☆
I tried the baking soda paste remedy for a bad sunburn on my legs after reading about it here on Earthclinic (from which I've gotten much great information over the years). It backfired, badly. Not only did it NOT remove the heat/inflammation; it made it worse. It stung when applying it, and after I gently washed it off (wincing the whole time), my legs were even redder and felt like they were on fire.
And this morning, I see little pinprick abrasion-like areas of blood where the baking soda irritated the skin so badly. I don't doubt others who say it worked for them; but I can't imagine how.
It's like rubbing salt into a wound (which makes sense considering the sodium level of baking soda). I feel constrained to warn readers against this protocol. If you must try it, proceed with extreme caution. If it stings, don't wait the recommended 15-20 minutes to see if it gets better. Wash it off immediately.
