How to Relieve Sunburn Pain

If the sun has gotten the best of your skin, here’s how to soothe the burn.

Do you look and feel like a lobster after a day of fun in the sun? Even though you know the importance of sun protection, it’s too late for that. Now you just have to figure out how to soothe your red, warm, tingling and itchy skin.

The truth is that almost everyone will experience a sunburn at some point in their lives. Sure, we know we’re supposed to take steps to stop this from happening—such as wearing sunscreen with a high SPF, keeping our bodies covered and staying out of the sun when it’s at its strongest—but mistakes happen and that’s just life. We move on and vow to be better next time.

In the meantime, if you’re paying the price for too much sun exposure, here are 9 tips to relieve the pain:

1. Cool skin off. To ease the pain and inflammation of a sunburn, take a cool shower or bath. Or use a cool compress in areas where you need relief. Don’t make the water too cold, though. Avoid hot water, including hot tubs, which can make skin feel worse.
2. Pat, don’t rub. When you get out of a pool or shower, gently pat your skin dry. Don’t rub sensitive skin.
3. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Sunburns dry out your skin, so keeping skin moisturized helps ease tightness, itching and peeling. The best time to moisturize is right after you get out of the shower, while your skin is still a little damp. Products with aloe vera may help but are not necessary.
4. Take pain relievers if necessary. If you are very uncomfortable, over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help ease pain and inflammation.
5. Drink lots of water. Getting sunburned means you’ve spent too much time out in the sun, which can also cause you to be dehydrated. Rehydrate by drinking plenty of water (avoid sugary, caffeinated or alcoholic drinks).
6. Don’t break blisters. If you have any blisters, leave them alone. Opening them increases the chance of infection. If blisters open on their own, wash the area gently with soap and water, apply antibiotic cream and cover with a non-stick gauze bandage.
7. Stay out of the sun. If your skin is already burned, take extra precautions while it heals to not add insult to injury by exposing it to more sun.
8. Watch for signs of severe sunburn. If you experience severe pain, chills, nausea, headache, fever or large areas of blistering skin, or if your skin looks white or feels numb, call your doctor. In some cases, you may need medical treatment.
9. Vow to be more vigilant next time. Getting too much sun can cause lasting damage to your skin and increases your risk of skin cancer. While you’re experiencing the effects of a painful sunburn, it’s a great time to remember that taking steps to avoid another one can spare you a repeat performance of how you’re feeling and will keep your skin healthier.

For more LiveSmart articles, visit www.McKenzieHealth.org/LiveSmart.

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Date Last Reviewed: June 17, 2022

Editorial Review: Andrea Cohen, Editorial Director, Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Contact Editor

Medical Review: Perry Pitkow, MD

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