I understand that if one gets a sunburn. A good hot bath at 110
degrees can lessen the effects of a sunburn. I am talking
oubjectively, not subjectly. I also understand that flying in an
airplane for approximately two hours can cause peeling of the skin.
Please educate me on this matter.

The claim that a hot bath can help sunburn is somewhat controversial. 
2-4 cups of cider vinegar in a hot bath are recommended as a sunburn
treatment by the program director of Asian Bodyworks at San Francisco
School of Massage
http://216.239.39.100/search?q=cache:OLnnx4swyRgC:www.bodhiwork.org/Articles/Border_Exchange.pdf+sunburn+hot+bath&hl=en&ie=UTF8

However, the health information available at the National Library of
Medicine suggests the use of a cool shower or bath or the placing wet,
cold wash rags on the burn as a means of relief.  In addition, if the
skin is dark red, but there are no blisters, anti-inflammatory drugs
such as ibuprofen are recommended. 
(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003227.htm)

Aromatherapists tend to recommend a cool bath with added chamomile and
lavender oils, as seen at
http://www.readersdigest.co.uk/health/sunburn.htm

Patricia K. Farris, M.D., professor of dermatology at Tulane
University in New Orleans also recommends a cool bath and says that
adding oatmeal to the bath will help lessen itching.  Her views are on
a web site that presents the views of various skin experts:
http://www.laurushealth.com/healthyliving/aug01familyhomesoothingthatsunburn.htm
The consensus of the experts is that hot water not only adds more heat
to heat-injured skin tissues, but also encourages oils to leach out of
the skin, which means that it is more drying to the skin than cool
water and therefore more likely to encourage peeling.  In my opinion,
this sounds a sufficiently convincing argument against the use of hot
baths to treat sunburn.

With respect to flying, a study commissioned by the UK Department for
Transport,
Local Government and the Regions (Study on the Possible Effects on
Health
of Aircraft Cabin Environments - Stage 1 by MRC Institute for
Environment and Health) says that "Air travel could be likened to
being at high altitude in a dry hot atmosphere."  This sort of
atmosphere would be drying to the skin, and would most likely cause
flaking of the skin, especially in people whose skin is already dry. 
In addition, the study mentions the risks of exposure to cosmic
radiation while flying.  Such radiation would also impact on the skin,
as well as potentially having more serious implications such as the
initiation of cancer, although the report considers this a matter of
concern mainly with respect to airline staff and very frequent flyers.
 (http://www.aviation.dtlr.gov.uk/healthcab/aircab/04.htm)

The second part of this report gives specific data on aeroplane cabin
humidity: "once at cruise altitude, the cabin RH is generally much
lower than in most buildings, and much lower than recommended by most
standards and guidelines. Typically, RH would be between 5% and 15%,
compared with recommended minima that range from 20% to 40% RH." and
mentions drying of the skin as a potential problem.
(http://www.aviation.dtlr.gov.uk/healthcab/cabinhealth/08.htm) This
will of course be aggravated in passengers who further dehydrate
themselves during flights by consuming large quantities of coffee and
alcohol.

However, bear in mind the point made by Calgary Dermatologist Dr.
Catherine Zip at http://www.flare.com/beauty/april_911.html that
flight times might not necessarily be long enough to cause flaking of
the skin, and that the real cause is more often due to a climate
differences between the starting point of travel and the destination.

Dear Salem-ga,

     A good hot bath for sunburns can never be recommended and that
too at 110 degrees! - will simply make the condition worse.

     Exposure to heat and sunlight may produce the following clinical
syndromes particularly when the subject is not adequately
acclimatized.  They are:

1.  Sun burn
2.  Prickly heat
3.  Solar keratosis
4.  Heat syncope
5.  Heat stroke or heal hyperpyrexia (Sun-stroke)
6.  Heat oedema
7.  Heat exhaustion
8.  Heat cramp
9.  Acute and chronic tropical fatigue.

          Sunburn is due to the ultraviolet rays of sunlight.  There
is usually erythema, itching and sometimes little oedema of the
exposed parts.  Prolonged exposure may even produce vesicles and
bullae accompanied by general symptoms like weakness, malaise,
headache and nausea.

          Treatment include:

a)  Calamine lotion to be applied twice daily.
b)  Avoidance of exposure to sunlight is beneficial.
c)  Antihistamines for pruritis may be used.

     So, it is concluded that when sun burn occurs, exposure to heat
from any origin should be totally avoided to avoid further
detoriation.

     Also, flying in an airplane for approximately two hours usually
don't cause peeling of the skin.

Thanks,
thomy-ga.

For sunburns I have read and have personally used Lavender Oil. 
Lavender has been long known for it's healing abilities, not only for
aromatherapy and sleep but also for healing skin.

Essential Wholesale wrote:

"It is impossible to patent cures and natural remedies, and so they go
unapproved by the FDA. For example Lavender Essential oil works
miraculously on burns. It can return severally burned skin to it
normal condition quickly. Scientist have been unable to break the
incredibly complex compound of Lavender essential oil to discover the
secrets. And so people in burn units suffer untreated by the
best-known remedy known to man for burns."

It is best to use 100% Pure Lavender Essential Oil, not fragrance oil
or oils that have been solvent produced or 40/42 Lavender oil, ONLY
the pure source lavender oil.  The best "PURE" lavender oil I have
used here in the US (and it tops all) is found at
http://www.redrockfarms.com  They produce very strong high altitude
lavender essential oil.

Have some on hand and the next time you or your family burns
themselves apply the oil (undiluted) directly to the burn area. 
You'll feel the difference within an hour.

From my experience, never apply cold to a burn area, you'll notice
that once the cold is removed from the burn area the burn feels hotter
than ever and the pain increases.  Temporary relief of the pain can be
accomplished by a small squirt of witch hazel and blowing on the area
for a cooling sensation until the lavender oil does it's job.

Try these things and post back your experiences.

Thanks,
W.V.