Sunburn

How to treat sunburn

1. Get out of the sun as soon as you notice redness or tingling.
2. Cool the skin: take cool (not ice-cold) showers or baths, or apply cool, damp cloths for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day.
3. Moisturize: apply aloe vera gel or a fragrance-free moisturizer while the skin is still damp. Avoid products containing benzocaine or lidocaine, which can irritate skin, and petroleum-based ointments on fresh burns, which can trap heat.
4. Reduce inflammation and pain: ibuprofen or acetaminophen (paracetamol) at the label dose. Ibuprofen may help reduce redness if started early. Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers, and avoid NSAIDs if you have kidney disease or stomach ulcers.
5. Hydrocortisone 1% cream can ease itching and inflammation for a few days.
6. Drink extra water: sunburn draws fluid to the skin.
7. Leave blisters alone: do not pop them. If they break, clean gently with mild soap and water and cover with a non-stick dressing.
8. Wear loose, soft clothing and protect the area from further sun while it heals.

Symptoms

• red, warm skin that is tender to touch
• pain and tightness
• swelling
• blisters in more severe burns
• itching and peeling after 3 to 7 days
• with extensive burns: headache, fever, chills, nausea, fatigue and dizziness

Sun poisoning

"Sun poisoning" is a common name for severe sunburn with body-wide symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, headache and dehydration. It sometimes also refers to polymorphic light eruption, an itchy rash triggered by sunlight.

How long does sunburn last?

• mild sunburn: redness and pain improve in 3 to 5 days, followed by light peeling
• moderate sunburn: about a week, with more peeling
• severe sunburn with blisters: up to 2 weeks or longer

Who is at higher risk

• fair skin, red or blond hair, freckles
• children
• high altitude, near the equator, reflective surfaces (water, snow, sand)
• midday sun (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• medicines that cause photosensitivity: some antibiotics (doxycycline, sulfonamides), diuretics, retinoids, NSAIDs and St John's wort
• tanning beds

People with darker skin burn less easily but can still burn and develop skin cancer.

Long-term effects

UV damage accumulates. Repeated sunburns increase the risk of:

• melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer
• basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma
• actinic keratoses (precancerous rough spots)
• premature skin aging, wrinkles and sun spots
• eye damage such as cataracts

Sunburn and heat illness

Sunburn often comes with heat exposure. Watch for heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, headache) and heat stroke (high body temperature, confusion, collapse), which is an emergency.

Prevention

• Use sunscreen: broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, water-resistant. Apply about 1 ounce (a shot-glass amount) to the body 15 minutes before going out, and reapply every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating.
• Seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Cover up: long sleeves, wide-brimmed hat, UV-blocking sunglasses, UPF-rated clothing.
• Avoid tanning beds.
• Protect babies: keep infants under 6 months out of direct sun; use shade and clothing. Small amounts of sunscreen can be used on exposed areas if shade is not available.
• Check the UV index before going outside.

Frequently asked questions

What is the fastest way to heal sunburn?

Cool the skin with cool showers or compresses, apply aloe or moisturizer, take ibuprofen early to reduce inflammation, drink extra fluids, and keep the area out of the sun. Most mild sunburns heal within a few days to a week.

Should I pop sunburn blisters?

No. Blisters protect the skin underneath from infection. Leave them intact. If one breaks, clean it gently with mild soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment if advised, and cover it with a non-stick dressing.

When is sunburn serious?

Seek medical care for sunburn with large areas of blistering, severe pain, fever, chills, nausea, dizziness, confusion or signs of dehydration, or for any sunburn in a baby under 1 year.

Does one bad sunburn cause skin cancer?

A single sunburn does not mean you will get skin cancer, but each sunburn increases the risk, and blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence significantly raise melanoma risk later in life.