How to Treat a Sunburn

Forgot to wear sunscreen before you went outside, and now you're red as a lobster? Here are some techniques to soothe and treat a sunburn.

EditMethod 1 of 8: Fast Pain Relief

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   Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Ibuprofen and aspirin are popular options. These can help reduce the inflammation around your sunburn, as well as lessen the pain.
   • Do not give aspirin to children. Instead, opt for something that is specifically marketed as a child's dose of acetaminophen. However, be aware that acetaminophen (Tylenol, Panadol, etc.) does not have an anti-inflammatory effect but may ease any pain.
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   Use an anti-inflammatory paste. Suitable topical applications include aloe vera, cortisone cream, or other soothing agent specified as suitable for irritated and sunburned skin (see section below). If you don't have any of these, you can make an anti-inflammatory paste out of aspirin. Simply crush up a few pills into a powder that's as fine as you can manage, then add water, a few drops at a time, until it turns into a goopy paste. Apply to the affected areas.

EditMethod 2 of 8: Cooling Relief

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   Have a cool bath or a very gentle shower.
   • Bath: Set the water to a cool temperature that's just below lukewarm (that is, not teeth-chattering cold), and relax for 10 to 20 minutes. The temperature will ease the pain, and the water will stop your skin from becoming as irritated. Repeat as often as you need to.
   • Shower: Again, keep the temperature just below lukewarm and also use a very gentle flow or just a sprinkling of water. If it thunders out, your skin will hurt.
   • Avoid using soap, bath oils, or other detergents as you bathe or shower. Any such products will irritate your skin and possibly make the effects of the sunburn feel even worse.
   • If you have blisters forming on your skin, take a bath instead of showering. The pressure from the shower might pop your blisters.
   • When you get out, don't rub your skin dry with a towel. Instead, let yourself air dry, or pat the towel over your skin in small, gentle movements.
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   Apply cold compressions to your skin. If you're not in a situation where you can bathe, or you'd just prefer not to, you can instead apply cold, wet compressions to your skin. Dampen a washcloth or other piece of fabric with cold water, and lay it over the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes. Re-wet it as often as you need to.

EditMethod 3 of 8: Topical Applications for Relief

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   Apply aloe vera to burned skin.^[1] You can buy gels or lotions that contain aloe vera at most stores, or you can cut a chunk off the plant itself if you have one available.
   • Using the pads (tips) of your fingers, gently apply the aloe to your sunburn.
   • Don't "rub it in" all the way, like you might with a regular lotion. Leave it a bit goopy and moist on top of the burn, as this helps prevent the skin from drying out and becoming more irritated.
   • Reapply as often as necessary.
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   Treat inflammation with cortisone cream. Cortisone creams contain a small dose of steroids that can work to reduce inflammation to your sunburn. You can find low-dose, over-the-counter tubes at your local drug store or supermarket. Look for hydrocortisone or something similar.
   • Do not use cortisone cream on young children. Ask your pharmacist for advice if you have any doubts or concerns about using this cream.

EditMethod 4 of 8: Keeping Hydrated

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   Drink plenty of water. Sunburn can be dehydrating, so it's important to counterbalance this by drinking a lot of water while you recover. Aim for 8 glasses containing 8 ounces/236ml of water each day (or even a little bit more).

EditMethod 5 of 8: Protecting Sunburned Skin

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   Protect sunburned skin if you're going outside. Ideally, you should hang out in the shade or wear clothing over affected areas if you're going back out into the sunshine. If you can't avoid exposing your skin, though, apply a thin layer of aloe vera on the burn, then put SPF 45 sunscreen on top to prevent further damage.
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   Apply unscented moisturizer to your skin as it starts to heal over. When you no longer have open blisters, or the redness of the sunburn has subsided a bit, treat your damaged skin to some TLC. Liberally apply a creamy, unscented moisturizer to sunburned areas over the next few days or weeks to prevent peeling and irritation.

EditMethod 6 of 8: Blister Treatment

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   Treat blisters. If your sunburn is serious, you might notice blisters beginning to form. Here's what to do about it:
   • Most blisters don't merit popping. Popping them prematurely can be painful, as well as possibly leading to infection and scarring. They shouldn't hang around for more than a few days, so resolve to grit your teeth and deal with it in the meantime.
   • However, if you do have a large blister that needs to be drained, pop it hygienically. Sterilize a needle with rubbing alcohol and water, and make a small hole at the edge of the blister. After you've drained all the fluid, pat the area dry with clean gauze. If you feel queasy or unsure about doing this, see your doctor.
   • Wash your hands with soap and water before touching blisters. Again, this is to prevent infection.
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   Use topical agents on the blisters. Some suggestions include:
   • Apply aloe vera, as you would in the section above.
   • Consider using antibiotic ointment (such as polymyxin B or bacitracin) on your blisters if you suspect infection. Infection might manifest as a foul smell, yellow pus, or extra redness and irritation around the skin. (Note that some people are allergic to these ointments, so do a "patch test" on an unaffected area first and make sure you don't have a bad reaction.)
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   Do not tear off the flaps of skin left over from broken blisters. You'll shed them soon enough; don't risk irritating your skin even more now.
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   Cover blisters in a loosely-wrapped gauze bandage. After you've applied aloe vera or ointment to the area, put a bandage over it to prevent chafing against your clothes or anything else. Loosely apply a sterile piece of gauze over the area; use medical tape to secure.
   • Change the bandage once every day, or after it gets wet or dirty.
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   Wear loose cotton clothing over sunburned areas. Baggy t-shirts and loose cotton pajama pants are ideal clothing items to wear while you're recovering from a sunburn. If you can't wear loose clothing, at least make sure your garments are cotton (this fabric allows your skin to "breathe") and fit as loosely as possible.

EditMethod 7 of 8: Responding to Possible Infections Quickly

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   If you're experiencing the following symptoms, your skin might be infected.Treatment could require the use of an antibiotic cream (see Step 6) or medical attention:
   • Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the blister
   • Red streaks extending away from the blister
   • Drainage of pus from the blister
   • Swollen lymph nodes in your neck, armpit, or groin
   • Fever.
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   Know when you need to see a doctor. If you're experiencing the following symptoms in relation to your sunburn, seek medical attention immediately:
   • Feeling faint or dizzy
   • Rapid pulse or rapid breathing
   • Extreme thirst, no urine output, or sunken eyes
   • Pale, clammy, or cool skin
   • Nausea, fever, chills, or rash
   • Your eyes hurt and are sensitive to light
   • Severe, painful blisters.

EditMethod 8 of 8: Unverified Home Remedies

The remedies listed in the steps below have not been scientifically verified, but some people swear they work. Use them at your own risk, noting that The Mayo Clinic warns against using homemade remedies that are not verified, such as egg whites (potential for bacterial transfer), peanut butter or petroleum jelly, as these remedies can delay healing.^[2]

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   Use Noxzema facial cleanser. Noxzema was originally devised to provide relief from sunburns.^[3] Here's what to do:
   • Buy a 334 ml container (not a pump) of Noxzema Original cold cream. That particular formula is much more effective than the others.
   • Start applying Noxzema as soon as you get home and suspect a burn. Don't wait to see if it turns red.
   • Apply a thick layer of Noxzema to the affected area. You should be able to see a layer of white. Let it sit.
   • When most of the moisture has been absorbed by your damaged skin, apply more Noxzema on top. Do not rinse off, as doing so will just dry your skin out.
   • Continue applying Noxzema every 2 to 8 hours depending on the severity of the burn.
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   Try the tea method:
   • Brew 3 or 4 teabags in a pitcher of warm water. When the tea is almost black, remove the teabags and let the liquid cool to room temp.
   • Gently dab at the sunburn with a cloth soaked in the tea. Apply as much as you'd like, but don't wash it off. The more the better. If the burn is really bad, you can just dab at it with the teabags.
   • Try to do this at bedtime so it can do its thing overnight. Shower it off the next morning; you'll see and feel a big difference.
   • Be careful with clothing, as tea liquid stains.
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   Use a cool cloth dampened with skim milk. Rest it on the burned spots. The coolness takes out the initial fire, and the milk creates a protein film that helps ease the ensuing discomfort.
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   If the burn is very recent (still red and not peeling), apply the juice of a tomato to your skin. Tomato juice is acidic but it doesn't hurt and helps the redness. Note that eating tomatoes is probably more effective against being sunburnt than using them after the fact.^[4]
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   Try calendula ointment. Calendula ointment is considered by some to be especially good for severe burns with blistering.^[5] You can find it at a naturopathic store; ask the retailer or naturopath for advice. Be aware that no herbal treatment is appropriate for the treatment of serious injuries; if you have severe burns or blisters that won't heal, see a doctor immediately.
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   Apply witch hazel lotion.^[6] It's a good aloe alternative for soothing pain. Apply carefully to affected area and leave.
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   Try vinegar.^[7] This method is only suitable for skin without ruptures of any sort; it isnot suitable if you have abrasions on your skin. Apple cider is considered to be the best.^[8]
   • Mix vinegar in a 50-50 dilution with cool water.
   • Soak towels in the solution (or place in a spray bottle).
   • Drape the towels over the burns or spray over the burned area. Note that the smell almost totally vanishes from your skin after about an hour.
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   Add ½ cup of baking soda or some oatmeal to a bath. This will help to reduce the swelling and if there is any itching present, these ingredients may reduce it.^[9]
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   Try the apricot method.^[10]
   • Peel and mash 3-4 apricots.
   • Apply the mix on your burn and leave on for 15 minutes.
   • Wash off with lukewarm water.
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    Use milk of magnesia.^{[citation needed]}
    • Dampen a cotton pad or ball with milk of magnesia.
    • Apply to the affected area by padding on it. Do not rub.
    • Let it dry. The skin will be cooled. Repeat as often as needed.
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    Use cottage cheese. This is a fast and easy sunburn pain reliever:
    • On bare sunburn, place a dampened cool cotton cloth for 15 or 20 minutes
    • Remove the cloth. Do not dry! Apply the cottage cheese to the sunburn, enough to completely cover the burned area.
    • Replace the damp cotton cloth on top of the cottage cheese-covered burned area. Keep damp (a spray water bottle works well) and leave on for 2 or 3 hours.
    • Remove the cloth. Rinse off with cool water (use no soap). The spray water bottle works well for this, if you do not want to bathe. You should feel relief from the pain.

EditVideo

EditTips

• Put your lotion in the refrigerator to make it cold and soothing.
• Unfortunately, Noxzema has an oil (eucalyptus) that can sting sunburns. Try mixing it with a bit of water and baby oil to dull the solution a bit.
• Don't go out in the sun a few days after you have completely healed. You don't want irritation towards the skin too early.
• Do not put any heat on your sunburn, such as a heat compress. This will intensify the pain.
• If you are applying aloe or other gels, make sure not to rub it in completely, as this could irritate your skin even more.
• It is a good idea to wear white clothing over the affected area to protect it from the sun.
• Usually, sunburn does not require a doctor’s care. However, if you are running a fever, see a doctor, as that would indicate possible heatstroke.
• Avoid wearing wool or synthetic fabrics over a sunburn. You'll be most comfortable with no or loose clothing on the affected area.
• If you began to feel irritation on your skin avoid the sun and find some shade.
• It's a good idea to purchase a waterproof sunscreen and apply it liberally whether you think you'll be going in the water or not.

Show 6 more tips

• Do not take a hot shower when you have a sunburn.
• Since sunburns aren't the only problems the sun can cause, also check for symptoms of heat exhaustion.
• While sunburns are linked to melanoma (the most deadly form of skin cancer), regular sun exposure that doesn't result in burning still causes skin damage and may increase your risk of other types of skin cancer.
• Wear loose clothes to avoid further irritation to the burn.
• Do not put ice on a sunburn. This can feel like getting an "ice burn", which can be almost as painful as sunburn. Besides, it can damage your skin further.
• Do not pick, poke, scratch or peel your sunburn. This will cause even more irritation. By picking off the layer of sunburned skin, you will not uncover a tan, nor will you make the "peeling" process go faster; what it may do though, is introduce infection. Let the skin heal itself properly; it will, given time and patience.
• Do not apply vinegar to open cuts or to areas that have been recently shaved. Vinegar will "burn" if applied to these areas.
• Pay close attention to any medications (including herbal remedies and essential oils) that list an increased sensitivity to sunlight as a side effect. Never rely on herbal remedies to cure severe injury.
• It is possible, though rare, to get third-degree burns from the sun. If you suspect this might have happened, see a doctor immediately.
• Avoid using creams that contain benzocaine, lidocaine, or petroleum (like Vaseline).