Sunburn Treatment: Best Ways to Relieve Pain and Restore Skin Health

Do you feel pain and stinging in your skin after prolonged sun exposure? Are you looking for the best way to treat sunburn? Sunburn is one of the most common skin issues caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. It's a painful and irritating experience that affects many people, with severity ranging from mild redness to severe blistering, often accompanied by a burning sensation. Keep reading to learn more about the causes and symptoms of sunburn and discover the best methods to treat it.

How Sunburn Occurs and Its Main Causes

Sunburn is skin damage caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, whether from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds.

It usually appears as redness, pain, and sometimes blisters. Sunburn can even occur on cold or cloudy days, as UV rays penetrate clouds and reflect off surfaces like snow, sand, and water, increasing the risk.

The sun emits three types of UV rays:

• UVA: Penetrates deep into the skin, causing long-term damage and contributing to premature aging.

• UVB: Affects the outer layers of the skin and is the main cause of sunburn.

• UVC: Does not reach the earth’s surface as it is fully absorbed by the atmosphere.

When the skin is exposed to UV rays, the skin cells are damaged, prompting the immune system to increase blood flow to the affected area, resulting in inflammation and redness known as sunburn.

You don’t have to be at the beach or pool to get sunburned; it can happen during everyday activities like having lunch outdoors or working outside without sunscreen.

Types of Sunburn

Doctors classify sunburn based on the depth of skin damage:

• First-degree burns: Affect the outermost layer of the skin and usually heal within a few days.

• Second-degree burns: Extend to deeper layers and cause blisters. They may take weeks to heal and often require medical care.

• Third-degree burns: Extremely rare from sun exposure, they affect all skin layers, including deep tissues, and are typically caused by other sources like fire or chemicals.

Risk Factors for Sunburn

• Prolonged sun exposure.

• Skin type and color (fair skin is more vulnerable).

• Using tanning beds without protection.

• Taking certain medications such as some antibiotics (like doxycycline and Bactrim), anti-inflammatories, retinoids, and diuretics.

• UV radiation intensity, which is influenced by time of day, cloud cover, altitude, and geographic location.

• Ozone layer depletion, depending on your region.

It’s important to protect your skin by using sunscreen daily—even on days that don’t seem sunny—and to be mindful of factors that can increase UV exposure.

Symptoms of Sunburn

Sunburn symptoms usually appear a few hours after sun exposure and can vary in severity depending on the degree of the burn. Common symptoms include:

• Redness of the skin, which is more noticeable on fair skin and may be less visible on darker skin unless peeling or blistering occurs.

• A warm or hot feeling when touching the affected area.

• Pain, sensitivity, and itching.

• Swelling in the affected area.

• Peeling of the skin a few days after exposure.

• Small fluid-filled blisters that may later burst.

• Affected exposed areas such as the lips, ears, scalp, and even eyes, which may feel sore or gritty due to their sensitivity to UV rays.

• Covered areas can also be affected if the clothing is thin or allows UV rays to pass through.

Severe Sunburn Symptoms:

In cases of severe sunburn, additional symptoms may occur:

• Headache.

• Fever.

• Nausea or general fatigue.

• Dizziness or confusion.

• Rapid breathing.

• Chills.

• Muscle cramps.

Symptoms by Burn Degree

• First-degree burns: Redness, warmth, mild pain, slight swelling, and later skin peeling.

• Second-degree burns: More intense symptoms, including pronounced redness, blisters, severe pain, and skin that may appear white or moist.

• Third-degree burns (rare from sun exposure): Charred skin, numbness or loss of sensation, pale or white skin, and may be accompanied by heat stroke or shock symptoms—this is a medical emergency requiring immediate care.

Recovery usually begins within a few days, but severe burns may take longer to heal. Skin discoloration often fades over time.

Effects of Sunburn on Skin and Health

Frequent sunburns can lead to serious health issues, including:

1. Premature Skin Aging

Visible signs include:

• Wrinkles.

• Sagging skin.

• Freckles, especially on the face and shoulders.

• Small red veins on the ears, nose, and cheeks.

• Dark spots or pigmentation changes on the face, chest, upper back, arms, and hands.

2. Eye Problems

Excessive sun exposure can damage the eyes, potentially causing cataracts—a clouding of the eye's lens that leads to blurry vision.

3. Skin Cancer

• Rough, scaly spots called precancerous lesions can appear and may eventually develop into skin cancer.

• Doctors warn that repeated sunburns over time increase the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer, which often appears in sun-exposed areas such as:

• Arms.

• Legs.

• Face.

• Ears.

• Neck.

• Chest.

• Back.

Sunburn Treatment

Sunburn doesn’t heal instantly, but proper care can relieve pain, inflammation, and discomfort. Mild to moderate cases can usually be treated at home, while severe cases may require a doctor visit or hospitalization.

Self-Care for Treating Sunburn

Follow these steps to speed healing and ease symptoms:

1. Avoid further sun exposure:

• Stay out of the sun until your skin recovers. If you need to go outside, wear loose clothing that covers your skin.

2. Cool the skin:

• Apply a cool, damp towel to the affected area for several minutes. Repeat throughout the day.

• You can also take a cool bath with baking soda or oatmeal to soothe the skin.

3. Moisturize:

• Use aloe vera gel or calamine lotion. Cooling these products in the fridge before application can offer added relief.

• Avoid products with alcohol, as they may worsen irritation.

4. Relieve pain and inflammation:

• Take pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce pain and swelling.

• For mild to moderate cases, apply 1% hydrocortisone cream three times daily for three days.

• If itching occurs, antihistamines like diphenhydramine may help.

5. Blister care:

• Do not pop small blisters. See a doctor if they grow larger or become painful.

6. Stay hydrated:

• Drink plenty of water, especially on the first day after sunburn, to prevent dehydration.

7. Peeling skin:

• Do not peel the skin manually—let it shed naturally. Continue moisturizing during this stage.

8. Eye care:

• If the eyes are affected, apply cold compresses and avoid contact lenses or rubbing the eyes.

9. When to see a doctor:

• Seek medical attention for severe burns, large blisters, or signs of serious dehydration. A doctor may prescribe stronger creams, IV fluids, or even oral steroids.

Sunburn Treatment Myths

Avoid the following when treating sunburn:

• Do not apply butter, ice, or ice packs directly on the burn.

• Do not use petroleum jelly (Vaseline) directly on sunburn, as it may trap heat and worsen irritation.

• Avoid creams with "-caine" ingredients (e.g., benzocaine), especially for children, as they may cause irritation or serious blood issues.

Sunburn Prevention

To prevent sunburn, it’s essential to manage sun exposure by following several key steps:

• Stay in shaded areas and wear clothing that covers the body, preferably made from tightly woven fabrics.

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your head and face, and use sunglasses to protect your eyes.

• Avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are at their strongest.

• Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and reapply it every 90 minutes—especially after swimming or sweating.

• Limit outdoor time when engaging in sports, swimming, or activities near water or at high altitudes.

• Additionally, avoid tanning and the use of tanning beds. Natural tanning does not reduce the risk of sunburn. Sunscreen should also be used on cloudy days.

• Be aware that certain medications and cosmetics can increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight, such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and cholesterol-lowering medications.

• When going outside, opt for protective clothing like long-sleeved shirts and long pants—or wear specially designed sun-protective clothing.

How to Choose the Right Sunscreen

• Sunscreens are products designed to block ultraviolet (UV) rays when applied to the skin. They are classified based on their SPF rating, which reflects their ability to prevent sunburn. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection from UVB rays, which are primarily responsible for sunburn.

• It’s also important to choose a sunscreen that provides UVA protection. While UVA rays do not cause sunburn directly, they contribute to skin aging and increase the risk of skin cancer.

• Many sunscreens are labeled broad-spectrum, meaning they protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

When to See a Doctor

Contact a doctor or healthcare provider if you experience any of the following sunburn-related symptoms:

• Fever above 39°C.

• Chills or severe pain.

• Blisters covering more than 20% of the body (e.g., full legs, back, or arms).

• Blisters on the face, genitals, or hands.

• Pus oozing from blisters, which may indicate an infection.

• Signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, thirst, reduced urination, dizziness, confusion, or fatigue.

• Sunburn in an infant under one year old.

Also, consult a doctor if you notice any changes in moles, bumps, or skin lesions that grow or bleed—these may be signs of skin cancer, which is treatable when detected early.