Extinguishing Your Sunburn

Whether it is a day at the lake, an afternoon in the backyard, or a quick errand run, sunburn can happen faster than most people expect. The team at Advanced Dermatology of the Midlands put together this guide to walk you through what to do the moment you notice a sunburn, how to treat it at home, and when it is time to call a dermatologist.

Above all else, once you have a sunburn, the first critical step is to avoid further injury by getting out of the sun and staying out of it until you are completely healed. Burns can develop in just a few hours in the sun, so keep a watchful eye for any signs or symptoms.

The typical appearance of sunburn is pink to red coloration of the skin that may include swelling and/or blistering with associated symptoms like itching, burning, stinging, or pain. Severe sunburns may also include systemic symptoms, such as

fever
chills
headache
nausea
feeling down and out (a general feeling commonly called malaise)
skin that is hot or warm to the touch

Most sunburns are mild and can be managed at home with some simple treatments that we will detail for you. However, the best dermatologists know that there are certain signs and symptoms you should watch out for that would drive you to seek immediate medical attention.

Here are some of the most common things you should be on the lookout for that would prompt you to seek immediate professional medical evaluation for your sunburn:

sunburns covering a wide area of your skin, or
extensive blistering
systemic symptoms such as the ones we mentioned
severe skin discomfort
sunburns in young children, especially infants
- blistering that covers more than 20 percent of your body

Signs of a skin infection, such as pus, increasing redness spreading outward from the blistered area, or red streaks, are also reasons to seek care right away.

So, what can you do for mild sunburns at home?

The best over-the-counter remedy is hydrocortisone 1% ointment. This can be used anywhere on the skin and should be applied two to three times a day. The earlier it is used on sunburned areas, the better it can work. Most people will find that applying this for around 2-4 days can help a mild sunburn subside nicely.
Other over-the-counter remedies that can reduce discomfort in a sunburn include aloe-containing gel/lotion, Sarna lotion, and calamine However, none of these have as strong of an anti-inflammatory effect as the hydrocortisone.
Cool compresses used alone or in combination with any of these treatments may also help ease symptoms. To perform a cool compress, soak soft towels in cool tap water. Use these towels to wrap the affected areas, leaving them in place for up to a few hours. These may be used two to three times a day for your symptoms.
Consider drinking extra water, as this may also help and keep you well hydrated.
It is important not to pop any blisters. Leaving the blisters alone reduces the risk of developing an infection.
A periodic cool bath or shower may help with the discomfort.
Use a good moisturizing cream often (like Vanicream or CeraVe cream) especially once a sunburn starts to heal.
Finally, taking ibuprofen may also help relieve some of your discomfort and swelling.

Remember, if ever in doubt about the severity level of the sunburn, you should seek medical attention immediately. Even if you have what you think is a mild sunburn and your symptoms or the appearance of your sunburn worsens over the course of the first 1-2 days, you should also seek medical attention.

Additional Home Remedies Worth Trying

Beyond the options above, the following remedies have been shown to provide relief for mild sunburns:

Oatmeal. A natural anti-inflammatory. You can add colloidal oatmeal to a cool bath or make a paste with cold milk and apply it directly to irritated skin.
Witch hazel. Applied topically, witch hazel can reduce inflammation and provide a cooling effect on hot skin.
Coconut oil. Rich in natural fatty acids with antimicrobial properties. Best used in the later stages of healing, once the skin has cooled, to help keep peeling skin hydrated.
Vinegar. Adding one cup of apple cider vinegar to a cool bath may help restore the skin’s pH balance and support healing.
A note on essential oils: peppermint, lavender, and chamomile oils can help cool and calm irritated skin, but never apply them directly. Always dilute them in a carrier oil like almond oil or mix them into an aloe vera moisturizer before applying to a sunburn.

What NOT to Do With a Sunburn

Avoiding the wrong remedies matters just as much as using the right ones. When treating a sunburn at home, steer clear of the following:

Ice or ice packs directly on the skin. Ice can further damage already-sensitive skin. Use cool water and damp cloths instead.
Petroleum jelly or heavy oil-based creams applied to a fresh burn. These can trap heat in the skin and slow the healing process. Save thicker moisturizers like Vaseline for the later stages of healing once the skin has cooled and begun to peel.
Popping or picking at blisters. Intact blisters protect the healing skin underneath. Popping them increases your risk of infection.
Scratching or peeling flaking skin. As tempting as it is, peeling your skin can cause additional damage and open the door to infection.
Hot showers or baths. Heat will aggravate an already-inflamed burn. Stick to cool or lukewarm water only.
Skin care products with fragrance, alcohol, or harsh chemicals like rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. These will irritate burned skin further.
Going back in the sun before the burn has fully healed. Burned skin is significantly more vulnerable to additional UV damage.

How Long Does a Sunburn Take to Heal?

Healing time depends on how severe the burn is.

Mild sunburn (pink, slightly tender skin): Most mild burns resolve within 3 to 5 days. Skin may lightly peel toward the end of this window as the outer layer sheds.
Moderate sunburn (deeper red, more painful, some swelling): Expect 7 to 10 days for significant improvement. The skin will likely peel, which is normal. Do not pull at it.
Severe sunburn with blistering: These can take 2 weeks or longer to heal and often warrant a visit to a dermatologist, especially if the blisters are widespread or the skin shows signs of infection.
In all cases, the burned area will remain sensitive to UV rays even after it looks healed. Keep it covered and protected from the sun throughout your recovery.

Basic Sun Protective Measures

use sunscreen
seek the shade
avoid the sun/minimize sun exposure during the peak daylight hours (10 am-6 pm)
wear a broad-brimmed hat as well as sun-protective clothing
never intentionally attempt to tan, either in the sun or a tanning bed

Also, keep in mind that some medications can make you more susceptible to getting a sunburn. Some of the common categories of these are certain antibiotics, some blood pressure pills, many of the medications to treat acne, as well as numerous others. Individuals on such medications should exercise extra caution when out in the sun.

Advanced Dermatology of the Midlands | Best Dermatologist Omaha & Council Bluffs, IA | Board Certified Dermatologists

In the meantime, for your convenience and availability please consider seeing us at this new clinical location in Omaha. Call us at (402) 933-3770 for more information or contact us to schedule a consultation.