Stop pain in its tracks with these remedies [3]

Sunburn

Understand it: Ultraviolet rays inflame skin cells and irritate nerves. Reinforcements — bloodborne repair cells and nutrients — arrive on the scene. Skin temperature rises. Friends remind you of this crazy new invention called sunblock.

Stop it: To reduce inflammation, take a few ibuprofen and apply a cool, wet cloth. Next, slather yourself with skin cream. (We like Neutrogena Skin Aid; it contains glycerin, which is used in burn centers.) "Nerves that are exposed to the air hurt," says Adnan Nasir, M.D., an adjunct clinical assistant professor of dermatology at UNC Chapel Hill. "Covering them with a moist ointment can reduce the pain on contact." For extra cooling, pop the lotion into the freezer for 10 minutes or so before application.

Still hurts? Take 900 micrograms of vitamin A and 15 milligrams of vitamin E every day for 2 weeks after a toasting. "Sunburn creates cell-damaging molecules called free radicals," says Dr. Nasir. "Damaged cells increase inflammation, causing even more pain. These two vitamins help by scavenging free radicals."

Prevent it: Read the sun-exposure warnings on your Rx labels. "A whole range of medications, from antibiotics to blood-pressure medications, increase sensitivity to the sun," says Dr. Nasir.

Migraine headache

Understand it: Changes in brain chemicals activate neuropeptides that invade the brain's covering, resulting in increased bloodflow and inflammation. The result is a throbbing, pulsing headache that can last for hours or days.

Stop it: Try Excedrin Migraine for a mild to moderate migraine — it has caffeine, which will help your body absorb the pain-relieving ingredients faster. You, on the other hand, should slow down. "People with migraines have hyperexcitable brains, so they're more prone to headaches after experiencing stressors," says Steven M. Baskin, Ph.D., director of the New England Institute for Behavioral Medicine. Laying a pack of frozen peas across the back of your neck for 10 to 15 minutes can help, too.

Still hurts? If your condition is severe, talk to your doctor about migraine-specific drugs called triptans, which are very effective when taken in moderation, says Baskin.

Prevent it: Decipher your migraine triggers by downloading a headache diary at achenet.org/tools/diaries. Then add 600 milligrams of magnesium (gradually--too much at once can cause diarrhea) and 400 milligrams of riboflavin to your daily vitamin intake. Studies have linked low levels of magnesium to migraine attacks, and in one Neurology study, nearly 60 percent of people who took riboflavin daily for 3 months cut their migraine days by at least half.