What is Sunburn?
Sunburn is skin that feels sore and hot as a result of high exposure to the sun. Your skin may flake and peel a few days after sun exposure. You can treat the sunburn at home, and it usually gets better within 7 days.
Effect of Sunburn on the Skin
If you become sunburnt, your skin might:
- feel hot to touch,
- feel sore or painful,
- flake or peel – this usually happens a few days after you get sunburn,
- your skin may also blister if your sunburn is severe.
How To Ease Sunburn
Get out of the sun as soon as possible, cool your skin with a cool shower, bath or damp towel – don’t let a baby or young child get too cold. Apply after sun cream, drink plenty of water to cool down and prevent dehydration, take painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for any pain. Cover sunburnt skin from direct sunlight until skin has fully healed.
Don’t do when Sunburnt
- Do not use petroleum jelly on sunburnt skin,
- Do not put ice or ice packs on sunburnt skin,
- Do not pop any blisters,
- Do not scratch, or try to remove peeling skin,
- Do not wear tight-fitting clothes over sunburnt skin.
When to Call the Doctor
Please get advice from your Doctor if you’ve been out in the sun and: your skin is blistered or swollen, your temperature is very high, or you feel hot and shivery, you feel very tired, dizzy and sick, you have a headache and muscle cramps, your baby or young child has sunburn.
Warnings
Severe sunburn can lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which can be very serious.
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