How to Heal a Sunburn

Uh-oh! You’ve just had a relaxing day at the beach—or perhaps a skiing adventure. The sky was cloudy, so you skipped the sunscreen. Now, your red skin reminds you why SPF is a must.

Don't be misled by overcast skies. Whether it’s sunny or cloudy, prolonged outdoor exposure without reapplying sunscreen can still lead to sunburn.

Ever wonder what causes sunburn? It’s the sun's UV (ultraviolet) rays. These are light waves too short for the human eye to detect. The sun releases three types of rays, two of which—UVA and UVB—are responsible for burns. UVA rays can also prematurely age your skin.

UV rays aren't just emitted by the sun—tanning bed lamps can also damage your skin and cause sunburn. The reality is, there's no entirely safe way to expose your skin to UV radiation. Sunburns are often tricky to treat and relieve effectively.

You can treat sunburn by creating your own remedies at home or purchasing over-the-counter products. You may be wondering which combination works best or if there's anything that can prevent peeling. What if blisters form or you start experiencing a fever or nausea? This article will address these questions and more.

If you're in pain right now, you're likely looking for quick relief. Continue to the next section to discover which sunburn treatments provide the best results.

Sunburn Relief Products

You likely have sunburn remedies in at least two places in your home: your medicine cabinet and your kitchen. Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin can help reduce sunburn pain, headaches, and fever. If the pain is severe and your fever persists, consult your doctor. For children, always seek a doctor's approval before using aspirin.

Applying aloe vera gel or lotion multiple times a day can help soothe pain and keep your skin moisturized. A spray-on version is the easiest to use. Avoid thick creams that require excessive rubbing, as they can irritate the skin and be difficult to apply due to the discomfort.

Over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams can reduce the inflammation and irritation caused by sunburn. Stay away from "-caine" products like benzocaine or lidocaine, as these chemicals can cause allergic reactions and further irritate your skin. Experts also recommend avoiding petroleum jelly for sunburn treatment.

Next, head to your kitchen for some quick relief. Wrap ice or frozen peas in a damp towel and apply to your skin. Chilled cucumber or potato slices, or plain yogurt can also provide comfort. A cool bath with about half a cup (125 mL) of oatmeal, cornstarch, or baking soda will help lower your skin temperature and reduce itching. Avoid soap, as it can irritate your skin further, and instead, gently pat your skin dry. Adding a cup of vinegar (250 mL) to your bath can also reduce pain. Some people suggest adding tea bags to the bath or applying cold, wet tea bags directly to the sunburned skin. Don’t forget to moisturize afterward.

Home remedies can help alleviate the initial discomfort of sunburn, but what should you do if blisters develop? Proceed to the next section for more information.

How to Prevent Sunburn Peeling

Unfortunately, preventing peeling isn’t possible, and in fact, it’s a good sign—it’s your body’s natural way of shedding skin damaged by the sun. Once peeling starts, continue to moisturize your skin. Applying antiseptic cream can help prevent infection as well.

Blisters indicate second-degree sunburn. If the blistering is not severe and healing is progressing without complications, you can manage it with home remedies and over-the-counter treatments. Never break sunburn blisters, even with a sterilized needle. Doing so can disrupt the healing process, slow recovery, cause more pain, and increase the risk of infection.

Many of your blisters will likely burst on their own. When they do, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before touching them to avoid contaminating the area. Avoid peeling or removing the skin flap from a broken blister, and if possible, try to keep the flap covering the exposed skin.

If your blisters or other sunburned areas become painful when clothing touches them, consider loosely bandaging the area with gauze. Ensure that the tape doesn’t stick to the blistered skin or wrap too tightly, which could cut off circulation. Opt for lightweight clothing and test different fabrics to find the most comfortable option.

If you experience severe blistering, it's important to seek medical help. Signs that your sunburn blisters are not healing properly include pus (yellow discharge) from an opened blister, and red streaks extending from the blister.

Now that you've learned how to treat peeling and blisters, proceed to the next page for more helpful strategies to manage sunburn.

Effective Sunburn Treatment Tips

One of the fastest and most affordable ways to relieve sunburn is by soaking a T-shirt or towel in cool water, wringing it out, and placing it on the affected area. Then, sit or lie in front of a fan or air conditioner to enhance the cooling effect.

Cool water not only provides relief for sunburned skin but also helps with hydration. Sunburn causes your skin to become inflamed and lose fluids. Drinking plenty of water is important to prevent dehydration and support the healing process.

Don't relax too soon after you've taken pain relievers, bathed in an oatmeal or vinegar solution, and weathered the worst of your sunburn. It's still possible to burn again on top of your current sunburn. Until your skin is fully healed, stay out of the sun and protect it. Here are some simple rules to prevent future sunburns:

For more tips on preventing and treating sunburn, check out the links provided on the next page.