Sun Care & Sunburn
Sunburn is skin damage caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or sunbeds. Repeated sunburn increases the long-term risk of skin ageing and skin cancer
About sun care & sunburn
UV radiation damages skin cells, triggering inflammation that appears as redness, heat and soreness within a few hours of overexposure, peaking around 24 hours later. Fair skin, prolonged exposure, high UV index, and reflective surfaces like water or snow all increase the risk of burning
Treatments
Symptoms
• Red, warm, tender skin
• Pain or stinging, particularly to touch
• Swelling
• Blistering in more severe burns
• Peeling skin as it heals, usually after a few days
• Occasionally, fever, chills or nausea with severe sunburn (sun sickness)
Diagnosis
Sunburn is diagnosed from a history of sun exposure and the appearance of the skin. Widespread blistering, fever, dehydration or severe pain need medical assessment, as does any unusual mole or lesion that develops or changes over time
Treatment
Cool the skin with a cool bath or damp cloth, apply after-sun lotion or moisturiser, and use simple pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for discomfort. Blistered skin should be left intact and covered loosely to reduce infection risk
Prevention and self-care
• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30, reapplied every two hours and after swimming
• Seek shade during peak UV hours (typically 11am-3pm)
• Wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
• Check the daily UV index
• Take extra care with children's skin, which burns more easily
• Avoid sunbeds
Reviewed by Hamza Iqbal Naheed, Superintendent Pharmacist, GPhC 2209194 (check the register) · Last updated 22 September 2026