The U.S. Department of Transportation is working on a new proposal for consumer protection, and part of that proposal deals with peanuts on planes.

"DOT believes that a severe peanut allergy counts as a disability -- and federal law prohibits air carriers from discriminating against individuals with a disability," according to the DOT web site for this proposal.

The website adds that for those few people with severe allergies, "just the presence of peanut particles in the air can bring on a life-threatening allergic reaction." Three options are outlined: banning airlines from serving peanuts; banning them only on flights where a person with a peanut allergy requests it ahead of time; or requiring a peanut-free "buffer zone" around an allergy sufferer if the person asks ahead of time.

The department is open to other suggestions, the site says, including doing nothing. Take a peek at the website -- regulationroom.org/airline-passenger-rights -- where you can read up and weigh in. Look under "peanuts."

LOS ANGELES TIMES

Treatment for sunburn One of the best remedies for sunburn is to keep the skin cool with a cool bath or shower, followed by a cool compress -- a towel soaked in cool water -- to keep the skin hydrated.

Moisturizers also help, though they do not prevent peeling or blistering. They do keep the skin from drying out, says Dr. Ariel Ostad, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University.

Be careful about sprays that contain a local anesthetic, that can give temporary relief but cause irritation. For pain, use over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or aspirin. When the skin begins to peel, leave it alone. Some old-fashioned remedies work to ease a sunburn, including these:

• Mix barley, yogurt and turmeric and apply to skin.

• Dip some gauze in cold milk and apply to skin.

WASHINGTON POST