Sunburn

Overview

Sunburn happens when the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays damage the skin. It can also come from tanning beds. Most sunburns are mild burns that only affect the top layer of skin.

A worse sunburn can cause blisters, fever, chills, and nausea. This is sometimes called sun poisoning. Each sunburn also raises your risk of skin cancer later in life.

Symptoms

Sunburn doesn't show up right away.

• Red, tender skin that feels warm
• Pain when touched
• Mild swelling
• Peeling skin a few days later

Less common

• Blisters
• Fever, chills, or headache
• Nausea
• Red, painful, gritty eyes

How it usually goes

• About 4 hours: Redness and pain start.
• 1 to 1½ days: Pain and redness are at their worst.
• 3 to 5 days: Mild burns heal. Skin may peel and itch.
• 1 to 3 weeks: Blistered burns heal.

When to get medical care

Causes

Sunburn comes from too much UV light from the sun or tanning beds. UV is strongest in the middle of the day, in summer, at high places, and near water, snow, and sand. You can burn on cloudy days too.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

• Fair skin, light hair, or freckles
• Being outside in the middle of the day
• Some medicines, like certain antibiotics
• Tanning beds

Possible complications

• Sun poisoning: Severe sunburn with blisters, fever, and nausea
• Dehydration: Losing too much body fluid
• Skin cancer: More likely after many sunburns

Diagnosis

Most sunburns can be cared for at home. A healthcare professional can tell it's sunburn by looking at your skin.

Questions you may be asked

• How long you were in the sun
• Whether you have blisters
• Fever, chills, nausea, or dizziness
• Medicines you take, since some make skin burn more easily

The exam

They'll look at how much skin is burned and check for signs of dehydration or infection.

Treatment

Treatment eases pain and helps the skin heal.

Self-care

• Get out of the sun until the burn heals
• Take a cool shower or bath, or put cool, wet cloths on the burn
• Use a gentle moisturizer or aloe on skin that isn't blistered
• Drink plenty of water
• Don't break blisters. Cover them lightly with a dry bandage
• Wear loose cotton clothes

Medicines

Over-the-counter medicines can ease pain and swelling.

Some medicines, like certain antibiotics, make skin burn faster. Check your medicine labels.

Don't use butter, petroleum jelly, or oily products on a fresh sunburn. They can trap heat. Avoid numbing sprays with benzocaine or lidocaine, which can cause skin reactions.

How it compares

Prevention

You can prevent most sunburns:

• Use broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 15 or higher, and reapply every 2 hours and after swimming
• Stay in the shade, especially midday
• Wear a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, and clothing that covers skin
• Don't use tanning beds

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).

Back to school, work, or sports

• Most people keep up normal school and work. Rest when you need to.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Babies: Keep babies under 6 months out of direct sun. Call their healthcare professional for any sunburn in a baby under 1 year.
• Children: Call for blisters, fever, or if your child seems very sick. Don't give aspirin.
• Older adults: More likely to get dehydrated. Drink extra water.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Most sunburns heal in a few days without scars. Repeated sunburns age the skin and raise the risk of skin cancer, so protect your skin from now on.

Myths and facts

Getting ready for your visit

Note how long you were in the sun.

What to bring

• All medicines you take
• Photos of the burn if it changes

Questions to ask

• Do my blisters need care?
• Is this infected?
• Could my medicine make me burn more easily?
• How can I protect my skin?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Sunburn