Sunburns

A sunburn is skin damage from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Most sunburns cause mild pain and redness but affect only the outer layer of skin. These are usually treated at home. Sunburns that have painful, red blisters may mean that deep skin layers are damaged. These hurt more and take longer to heal.

Sunburns usually cause red, painful skin. The skin may or may not have blisters. If blisters are present, the pain is often worse. You or your child may get a mild fever, headache, or dehydration (the body loses too much fluid).

Sunburns usually cause red, painful skin. The skin may or may not have blisters. If blisters are present, the pain is often worse. The doctor may ask about sun exposure, use of indoor tanning, or your symptoms.

Most mild sunburns can be treated at home. But severe sunburns–those causing large, deep blisters, severe pain, a fever, or vomiting–should be seen by a doctor. The doctor may put bandages on the skin. Or the doctor may recommend medicine or a topical treatment. Treatment for dehydration may also be needed.

• Use cool cloths on the sunburned areas.
• Apply soothing lotions with aloe vera to sunburned areas.
• Try anti-inflammatory medicine (like ibuprofen) to reduce pain, swelling, and fever. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
• Don't try to stop peeling after a sunburn. It's part of the healing process.
• Protect your skin by using sunscreen, hats, and loose-fitting, tightly-woven clothes.

Caring for blisters

Blisters often heal on their own.

• Don't try to break blisters. Leave them alone.
• Don't remove the flap of skin covering the blister unless it tears or gets dirty or pus forms under it. The flap protects the healing skin underneath.
• If a blister ruptures, gently clean it with mild soap and water and loosely cover it. Put a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the bandage before you put the bandage on. This will keep it from sticking to the blister.