Sunburn can cause discomfort, prompting many to seek rapid relief. While a sunburn cannot disappear overnight, various strategies can alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and support the skin’s natural repair mechanisms. This helps manage symptoms and aids the skin’s journey back to health.
Realistic Expectations for Sunburn Healing
A sunburn results from excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, causing DNA damage within skin cells. This triggers an inflammatory response as the body repairs or removes damaged cells. Redness, pain, and swelling are direct manifestations of this process. The skin requires time to complete these repair mechanisms.
Due to cellular damage and inflammation, a sunburn cannot resolve overnight. Mild sunburns, with redness and tenderness but no blistering, typically subside within three to five days. Moderate sunburns, which may include blistering, can take a week or longer. Peeling often occurs a few days later as the body sheds damaged skin cells, indicating a later healing stage.
Immediate Relief and Care Strategies
Cooling the affected skin is an immediate and effective step to reduce discomfort and inflammation. A cool bath or shower helps draw heat away. Applying cold compresses, such as a damp cloth, provides localized relief. Avoid direct ice application, as it can further damage the skin.
After cooling, moisturizing and soothing the skin helps to rehydrate the damaged barrier and reduce irritation. Pure aloe vera gel, free from alcohol and fragrances, is often used for its soothing properties. Lotions containing hydrocortisone can help reduce inflammation and itching, especially in mild to moderate burns. Fragrance-free moisturizers with ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid also help restore the skin’s moisture barrier.
A colloidal oatmeal bath can soothe widespread irritation. Avoid heavy, occlusive products like petroleum jelly or certain oils, as these can trap heat and worsen the burn. Also avoid products with benzocaine or lidocaine, which can cause allergic reactions or further irritate sensitive skin.
Managing pain internally can improve comfort while the skin heals. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, help reduce pain and inflammation. These medications work by inhibiting the body’s inflammatory response. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water is also important, as sunburn can draw fluid to the skin’s surface, increasing dehydration risk.
Protecting damaged skin from further sun exposure is crucial for healing. Wear loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing when outdoors. Avoid tight clothing to prevent friction and irritation. Resist picking at blisters; they act as a natural protective barrier, and opening them increases the risk of infection.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While many sunburns are manageable at home, certain symptoms indicate a need for professional medical evaluation. Seek medical attention if the sunburn covers a large area, especially with extensive blistering. Symptoms like severe pain not relieved by over-the-counter medication, or signs of systemic illness such as fever, chills, or headache, warrant a medical consultation.
Other warning signs include dehydration symptoms like dizziness, extreme fatigue, or reduced urination. Any signs of infection in burned areas—increasing redness, swelling, pus, or red streaks—also require prompt medical attention. These symptoms suggest a more severe sunburn or developing complications.