How to treat sunburn at home – and when to see a doctor

Yahoo

2 days ago

With temperatures set to hit 30C in parts of the UK in the coming days, despite the best intentions some of us may still end up with sunburn.
Even on cloudy or breezy days, UV rays can still do serious damage.
According to Cancer Research UK, over 90% of UV rays can pass through cloud and burn unprotected skin. And sunburn isn't just a bit of redness to brush off; it can increase your risk of skin cancer, speed up signs of ageing, and leave you feeling unwell, with symptoms like headaches, nausea and heat exhaustion.
The British Skin Foundation (BSF) warns severe sunburn in childhood can double your risk of melanoma later in life. Yet many of us still underestimate the strength of the sun here in the UK, especially when hot spells arrive.
Here's what to know about how to treat sunburn at home, what to avoid, and when to seek medical help.
Sunburn is skin damage caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, triggering inflammation.
It's not always instant. You might feel fine after a few hours of sun in the garden or on the beach, then notice redness, soreness or tightness a few hours later. Symptoms usually start 2–6 hours after sun exposure and can peak at 24 hours.
The tell-tale signs include red, painful or hot skin, swelling, tenderness, and in more severe cases, blistering. In rare cases, sunburn can potentially be fatal.
The BSF advises that if you notice your skin turning pink or sore, you should get out of the sun immediately. Move into the shade and cover the affected area with loose cotton clothing.
Apply cool (not cold) water to the skin via a shower, bath, or damp towel. After cooling the skin, apply an aftersun or moisturiser, ideally one that contains aloe vera or soy to soothe and hydrate (more on that below).
The NHS also recommends drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with any pain or inflammation.
If your child gets sunburned
Babies under six months should never be in direct sunlight, and older children need shade, hats and UV-blocking sunglasses.
If sunburn does occur:
Cool their skin with a tepid bath.
Offer water or juice to help prevent dehydration.
Call your doctor straight away if your baby is under one year old, or if a child has blisters, a fever of 38°C or higher, or seems drowsy.
Use plain moisturiser or calamine lotion (without antihistamines) – but don't apply alcohol, medicated creams, or rub the skin.
Keep them completely out of the sun until fully healed.
Moisturising is key, and you'll want something gentle. Treat the area with aloe vera gel or unperfumed creams with added soothing ingredients like soy. Avoid anything containing alcohol, as this can dry the skin out even more.
If the skin is very sore or swollen, a mild corticosteroid cream (like hydrocortisone) may help – but check the label or ask a pharmacist before applying it to large areas and avoid using on young children.
Petroleum jelly or oil-based products (like butter or thick ointments) are best avoided for sunburn, as they can trap heat and delay healing.
Peeling is your skin's way of shedding damaged cells – but resist the urge to pick. It might be tempting, but it increases the risk of infection, slows the healing process, and can cause scarring.
Instead, moisturise regularly with fragrance-free products, and let your skin heal in its own time.
Stick to soft, loose-fitting clothes to avoid friction and avoid further sun exposure to the area, even if the skin looks like it's on the mend.
And keep up with hydration; your body is still working hard to repair the damage.
Apart from applying some aftersun, don't touch the area.
In some cases, blisters can appear, but don't be tempted to pop them – they're a natural part of healing and protect the skin underneath from bacteria.
For blistered skin, the BSF advises: "Gently clean the skin the apply a thick, soothing barrier cream avoid sunbathing and apply sunscreen and keep affected skin covered." adds the BSF.
Speak to a pharmacist if they're painful, look infected or aren't healing.
Don't apply ice directly – the NHS also advises against using ice packs.
Avoid scented lotions or aftersun with alcohol – these often sting and dry out skin.
Don't go in the sun until your skin has healed – covering up is essential, even it's not that sunny. Remember, it's still possible to burn through a car window or even in the shade if UV levels are high.
Skip antihistamine creams unless advised – they can irritate sunburnt skin.
Don't assume you're fine just because it looks better – your skin remains vulnerable for days.
Most cases of sunburn can be managed at home – but there are times when you should get medical help. According to the NHS, you should speak to a doctor or call 111 if:
Your skin is blistering badly or covering a large area
You feel dizzy, very tired, nauseous or feverish
There are signs of infection, like pus or worsening redness
You can't keep fluids down due to nausea or vomiting
Children under one with sunburn should be seen by a GP. For older children, keep a close eye – they can become dehydrated or overheated quickly and may not always be able to say how they're feeling.
Read more about sunburn:
The best sunscreen of 2025 – and the two to avoid (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
I'm Australian and I think Britain's approach to sun safety is absolutely unbelievable (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)
The exact amount of SPF you need to apply everyday (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)