Sun and growths
Sunburn
Sunburn is skin damage from too much ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning beds. It is very common, and mild cases usually settle on their own within about a week.
Reviewed by Raashid Haque, MD, board-certified dermatologist
For education only. This guide does not diagnose or treat any condition.
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A reliable broad-spectrum SPF 30+ is the main way to prevent the next burn.
Look for
- Zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as the only active ingredients
- Broad spectrum on the label
- SPF 30 or higher
Full details, cautions and sourcesAvoid
- Products without a broad spectrum label
- Sprays or powders you may breathe in; a cream or lotion is easier to apply evenly
These are products Dr. Haque has reviewed and recommends for different reasons. Unless a product is clearly marked 'Affiliate link,' it is not one. Most are not.
Food and lifestyle may play a part in Sunburn too
Anti-inflammatory eating and lifestyleLearn about Sunburn
Sunburn is an inflammatory reaction. UV light damages the DNA in skin cells, and the body responds with redness, heat, swelling and soreness. Anyone can get it, including people with brown and Black skin. People with fair skin, red or blond hair, a history of sunburns, or a lot of outdoor time are at higher risk.
How it looks and feels
- Skin that is warm, tender and painful to touch.
- Redness, which can look pink or red on lighter skin. On brown and Black skin the color change may be small, or may look like a darker or purplish tone, so pain, warmth and tightness are often better clues than color.
- Swelling, itching, and in more serious burns, fluid-filled blisters.
- Peeling a few days later as damaged skin sheds.
Timing Symptoms often start within a few hours of sun exposure. Redness and pain commonly peak somewhere between about 12 and 24 hours, and discomfort may last up to 48 hours or so. Mild sunburn usually improves within about a week. Blistering burns can take longer.
What it is not Sunburn is not contagious. It is a true burn, not a "healthy glow." Any tan or burn is a sign the skin has been damaged. Repeated or blistering sunburns, and tanning bed use, raise the long-term risk of skin cancer, including melanoma. Sunburn can also look like a drug-related sun reaction, so mention new medicines to a clinician.
Self-care
What it is
Cool (not ice-cold) water on the skin, using damp cloths or a gentle cool shower or bath, can ease heat and pain for a while.
Often considered when
Often considered in the first days when skin feels hot and sore.
Less suitable or needs caution when
Ice or ice packs placed directly on skin are generally not advised because they can add injury. Very hot water tends to make the skin feel worse.
What to watch for
Skin that looks broken, weepy or very blistered may need gentler care from a clinician.
How long to judge it
Relief is usually short-lived, so people often repeat it. Judge comfort over the first 2 to 3 days.
Questions to ask
- Is cool water enough for my burn, or does it need a check?
- How should I dry and cover skin that is peeling?
What it is
A sunburn pulls fluid toward the skin surface and away from the rest of the body, so drinking enough fluids is a common part of recovery.
Often considered when
Often considered with any sunburn that covers a large area, or after a long day in the heat.
Less suitable or needs caution when
People with heart, kidney or other conditions that limit fluids should ask their clinician what amount is right for them.
What to watch for
Dizziness, a very dry mouth, dark or scant urine, headache or confusion can suggest dehydration or heat illness.
How long to judge it
Needs are highest in the first day or two.
Questions to ask
- How much fluid is right for me given my health conditions?
- Which symptoms would mean I should come in?
What it is
Blisters mean a deeper, second-degree burn. The fluid-filled bubble acts like a natural bandage over healing skin.
Often considered when
Care is often considered whenever blisters appear.
Less suitable or needs caution when
Large blisters, blisters on the face, hands or genitals, or any with signs of infection are better checked by a clinician.
What to watch for
Pus, spreading redness, fever, or blisters that tear open. Popping or peeling them raises the chance of infection and scarring.
How long to judge it
Small blisters often flatten and dry over several days to a couple of weeks.
Questions to ask
- Should this blister be looked at or covered?
- How would I recognize an infection?
What it is
Burned skin is more easily damaged again. Loose, soft, tightly woven clothing and shade help it recover.
Often considered when
Often considered until redness, pain and peeling have settled.
Less suitable or needs caution when
Tight or rough clothing can rub tender skin or blisters.
What to watch for
New redness, pain or blisters in spots that were exposed again.
How long to judge it
Usually until the skin has fully calmed, often a week or more.
Questions to ask
- How long should I protect this area before going back out?
- Is it okay to use sunscreen on peeling skin?
Over the counter
What it is
Fragrance-free moisturizers, and aloe vera gel or lotion, are commonly used to soothe tight, dry skin as it heals.
Often considered when
Often considered after cooling, once skin feels tight or starts to peel.
Less suitable or needs caution when
Heavy oil-based or petroleum products early on may trap heat. Numbing products with benzocaine or lidocaine are generally discouraged because they can irritate or cause allergic reactions. People who react to aloe, fragrances or dyes may do better with plain products.
What to watch for
Itching, rash or stinging after applying a product.
How long to judge it
Comfort effects are usually felt right away. Aloe has not been shown to speed healing in a strong way, so expect comfort rather than a faster cure.
Questions to ask
- Which plain moisturizers do you suggest for my skin?
- Is aloe safe for me if I have sensitive skin?
What it is
NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, are a class of medicine that lowers inflammation and pain. Another over-the-counter option, acetaminophen, eases pain but does not reduce inflammation.
Often considered when
Often considered for pain or soreness in the first day or two.
Less suitable or needs caution when
NSAIDs may not suit people with stomach ulcers, kidney disease, bleeding problems, some heart conditions or asthma triggered by them, or those who are pregnant. Aspirin is usually avoided in children and teens. Some NSAIDs can also make skin more sun sensitive. Ask a pharmacist or clinician before choosing, and follow the product label.
What to watch for
Stomach upset, and rare but serious side effects. Do not combine several products with the same ingredient.
How long to judge it
Comfort is usually judged within hours. Pain that is not improving after a couple of days is worth a check.
Questions to ask
- Is an NSAID or acetaminophen the better fit for me?
- Do any of my medicines interact with these?
Prescription creams and gels
What it is
Corticosteroid creams calm inflammation. Mild over-the-counter hydrocortisone is sometimes suggested for sunburn, and stronger products are prescription only.
Often considered when
May be discussed for very uncomfortable, inflamed skin, usually when the skin is not broken.
Less suitable or needs caution when
Less suitable on open, blistered or infected skin, on the face without guidance, or for babies. People allergic to steroid creams should avoid them.
What to watch for
Stinging, thinning of skin with overuse, or worsening if the skin is infected.
How long to judge it
The evidence is honestly mixed. Small studies suggest a possible benefit mainly if used within hours of the burn, while others found no clear benefit. Sunburn improves on its own either way.
Questions to ask
- Is a steroid cream worth trying for my burn, or is it likely to add little?
- Where on my body should I avoid it?
Lifestyle and holistic
What it is
Protection from UV is the most effective way to avoid sunburn. It combines shade, wide-brimmed hats, UV-blocking sunglasses, tightly woven clothing and sunscreen.
Often considered when
Advised for everyone, especially when the UV Index is 3 or higher, near water, sand or snow, and around midday.
Less suitable or needs caution when
Sunscreen is less suitable for babies under 6 months, who are best kept out of direct sun. People who react to certain filters may do better with mineral sunscreens. Sunscreen is a backup, not a reason to stay out longer.
What to watch for
Missed spots (ears, scalp, lips, feet), sunscreen that has rubbed or washed off, and burns on cloudy days.
How long to judge it
Protection works the same day. Habits matter most over years.
Questions to ask
- Which sunscreen type fits my skin and daily life?
- Do my medicines make me burn more easily?
Things that raise the chance of a burn:
- Strong UV: midday hours, summer, high altitude, and places closer to the equator. The UV Index is a daily rating of UV strength, and protection is generally advised when it is 3 or higher.
- Reflective surfaces such as water, sand, snow and concrete, which bounce UV back at you.
- Cloudy days. UV can pass through clouds, so burns can happen when it does not feel sunny.
- Tanning beds and sunlamps.
- Forgetting spots such as ears, scalp, lips, tops of feet and the back of the neck.
- Alcohol and long outdoor activities, which can make people lose track of time.
- Some medicines and products that make skin more sensitive to sun (certain antibiotics, some anti-inflammatory pain relievers, some cholesterol and heart medicines, retinoid products, and others). A pharmacist or doctor can say whether yours do.
| Topic | Evidence | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Hydration | Established | Drinking enough fluids helps replace what a burn pulls toward the skin. It supports recovery but does not heal the burn itself. |
| Alcohol and sun | Early | Alcohol is listed as a risk factor on some medical sites, mostly because people may stay out longer and drink less water. Direct evidence that alcohol itself makes skin burn more is limited. |
| Vitamins C and E | Early | Some sources say creams with vitamins C and E may limit skin cell damage. Research is early, and these products are not a substitute for sun protection. |
| Vitamin D and sun | Established | Burning is not needed to make vitamin D. Diet and supplements are safer sources, and a clinician can advise if you may be low. |
Read: Anti-inflammatory eating
Avoid very restrictive diets, especially for children, unless a clinician is guiding you.
Sunburn ·
When to get care soon
Contact a clinician promptly, or get urgent care, if sunburn comes with:
- Blisters over a large area of the body, or blisters on the face, hands or genitals.
- Fever or chills, especially with nausea, vomiting, headache or confusion.
- Severe pain that is not controlled by usual comfort measures.
- Dizziness, fainting, a very dry mouth, very little urine, or other signs of dehydration or heat illness.
- Eye pain, light sensitivity, or a gritty, burning feeling in the eyes.
- Sunburn in an infant, or a baby under 1 year old with any redness from the sun.
- Sunburn in someone taking medicines that increase sun sensitivity, because the reaction can be stronger than expected.
- Signs of infection, such as pus, spreading redness, or increasing warmth and swelling after the first few days.
About the reviewer
Raashid Haque, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist · Charlotte, NC
- 25+ years of clinical experience
- Dermatology at University of Oklahoma - Chief Resident
- Internship at Baylor College of Medicine
- LSU School of Medicine Shreveport - Valedictorian, AOA