First Aid for Sunburn

Sunburn occurs when the skin is overexposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays, most often from the sun. Within a few hours of exposure, affected skin may become red, painful, warm to the touch, or blistered. You may also experience headache, fever, or nausea.

What Is Sunburn?

Sunburn is an inflammatory response caused by damage to the skin’s outer layers due to excessive UV exposure. The body increases blood flow to the affected area, leading to redness, warmth, swelling, and sometimes blistering. Repeated or intense sunburn increases the risk of skin aging and skin cancer over time.

Common Symptoms of Sunburn

Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the burn and the length of sun exposure. Signs of sunburn may include:

Red, warm, or painful skin
Swelling or tenderness
Blisters (in moderate to severe cases)
Itching or dry, peeling skin
Headache, fever, or chills
Nausea or lightheadedness

Symptoms often develop 2–6 hours after sun exposure and may worsen over the next 24–48 hours.

Symptom Timeline and Severity

Severity	Symptoms
Mild Sunburn	Redness, slight pain, warm skin
Moderate Sunburn	Red, painful skin, swelling, small blisters, low-grade fever
Severe Sunburn	Large blisters, chills, nausea, headache, dehydration, confusion

Seek medical care if symptoms fall into the moderate to severe category or worsen over time.

When to Seek Emergency Help

Call emergency services or seek urgent medical care if you experience:

A fever over 103°F (39.4°C) accompanied by vomiting
Confusion or disorientation
Signs of skin infection (e.g., pus, red streaks)
Symptoms of dehydration
Cold, clammy skin, dizziness, or fainting

These signs may indicate heat stroke, severe dehydration, or secondary infection, and require urgent attention.

Treat sunburn as soon as symptoms appear to minimize discomfort and complications. Follow these steps:

Take a pain reliever. Over-the-counter options like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can reduce pain and inflammation. Use them according to package instructions.
Cool the skin. Apply a clean towel soaked in cool tap water to affected areas or take a cool bath. Adding 2 ounces (60 g) of baking soda to bathwater may help soothe skin.
Apply gentle moisturizers. Products with aloe vera or calamine lotion help relieve dryness and irritation. Store these in the refrigerator for added cooling.
Avoid alcohol-based lotions, which can dry out the skin further and slow healing.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and prevent complications from fluid loss.
Leave blisters intact. If they break on their own, trim dead skin using clean scissors, gently clean with soap and water, and apply a nonstick bandage.
Use 1% hydrocortisone cream (nonprescription) up to three times a day for up to three days to help with discomfort or itching.

What You Can Do at Home

In addition to first aid steps, these habits can help support healing and prevent further damage:

Wear loose, breathable clothing to reduce friction and discomfort on burned areas.
Stay in the shade or indoors during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Apply cold compresses to relieve pain around joints, where sunburn can feel tighter.
Avoid further sun exposure while healing, and always use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen once your skin begins to recover.

Monitoring for Complications

Watch for signs that your sunburn may be getting worse or has led to complications:

Severe, worsening pain
Blisters covering large or sensitive areas (face, hands, genitals)
Headache, fatigue, muscle cramps, or swollen lymph nodes
Eye discomfort or changes in vision
Red streaks or pus, which may signal infection

Prompt medical attention can prevent long-term damage or health risks.

Treating Sunburned Eyes

If your eyes were also exposed to too much sunlight:

Use a clean, cool compress placed gently over closed eyelids.
Do not wear contact lenses until symptoms have resolved.
Avoid rubbing your eyes to prevent irritation or injury.

When to Contact a Healthcare Professional

Reach out to a provider if:

The sunburn blisters are unusually large or spreading.
You feel increasingly ill or weak.
The sunburn affects a child, older adult, or someone with a chronic condition.
You suspect heat exhaustion or heatstroke, which may accompany severe sunburn.
Signs of infection appear—such as swelling, pus, or red streaks.

A healthcare professional may suggest wound care, prescribe topical or oral medications, or evaluate for underlying complications such as dehydration or secondary infections.

Prevention Tips

To avoid future sunburns:

Use a daily moisturizer with SPF, even on cloudy days.
Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher at least 15 minutes before going outdoors, and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
Wear sun-protective clothing, including hats and UV-blocking sunglasses.
Stay in shaded areas when outdoors and avoid direct sunlight during peak UV hours.
Be especially careful around water, snow, or sand, which can reflect UV rays and increase the risk of sunburn.