Experiences with

Sunburn

Check if you have sunburn

If you have sunburn, your skin may:

• 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.

If you have white skin, your skin will usually be red or pink. If you have black or brown skin, you may not notice a change in the colour of your skin.

How to ease sunburn yourself

There are things you can do to help ease symptoms of sunburn.

• get out of the sun as soon as possible

• cool your skin with a cool shower, bath or damp towel (take care not to let a baby or young child get too cold)

• apply aftersun cream or spray

• 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

• 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

Some medicines are not safe for everyone (for example, if you're pregnant). Always check the leaflet or speak to a pharmacist before taking them.

You can ask a pharmacist:

• about the best sunburn treatments
• if you need to see a GP

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

Severe sunburn can lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which can be very serious.

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

Sunburnt skin feels hot and sore. It may flake and peel after a few days. It looks red on white skin but can be harder to spot on black or brown skin.

You can usually ease sunburn with things like aftersun cream and painkillers. Have a cool shower and drink plenty of water to cool down.

Related links

Sunburn

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