How do I treat sunburn?

Sunburn is a radiation burn, and like any burn the damage continues after exposure ends. Cooling and rehydration are the useful responses; most of the products sold for it do very little beyond moisturising.

Safety

What you'll need

• Cool water
• Unperfumed moisturiser or aftersun (optional)
• Loose clothing (optional)

Step by step

1. Get out of the sun immediately and stay out.Damage continues while exposure continues, and burnt skin is far more vulnerable to further burning.
2. Cool the skin.A cool shower or bath, or cool damp cloths held against the area. Not ice, which damages already-injured skin.
3. Drink plenty of fluids.Sunburn draws fluid to the skin surface and dehydration is common alongside it. This matters more than any cream.
4. Apply a simple unperfumed moisturiser or aftersun.Aloe-based products are soothing. Avoid anything perfumed, and avoid petroleum jelly, which traps heat in the skin.
5. Take an anti-inflammatory painkiller if appropriate for you.Ibuprofen can reduce both pain and inflammation in the first day or two. Follow the label and check it is suitable for you.
6. Do not burst blisters.They are a sterile barrier. Bursting them introduces infection risk. Cover them loosely if they are likely to rub.
7. Wear loose clothing and keep covered.Burnt skin is painful against fabric and extremely vulnerable to further sun. Loose, tightly woven fabric protects best.
8. Watch for the signs that mean more than a burn.Fever, chills, dizziness, confusion, nausea or a rapid pulse can indicate heatstroke and need prompt medical attention.

Tips

• Peeling is normal a few days later and should not be pulled off. Let it come away on its own and keep moisturising.
• Sunburn on a child is more serious than on an adult, and repeated childhood sunburn particularly raises later skin cancer risk. Seek advice sooner.
• Sunburn happens through cloud and in cold weather, and it happens faster near water, snow and at altitude. It is not just a hot-day risk.

Common mistakes

• Using ice or very cold water — It damages already-injured skin. Cool water and cool damp cloths are what is recommended.
• Applying petroleum jelly or heavy occlusive products — They trap heat in the skin, which is exactly what you are trying to release.
• Going back out in the sun once it feels better — Skin remains damaged and far more vulnerable for days. Reburning the same area is considerably worse.

Questions people ask