Does sunburn cause skin redness?

Sunburn redness may feel warm, tender, tight, or stinging. It can appear several hours after exposure and may deepen before it settles. The affected area is often the skin that was uncovered, such as the face, shoulders, chest, back, arms, or legs. Peeling can follow as damaged outer skin sheds. Skin redness has many possible causes, so redness alone cannot identify sunburn or show how severe the injury is.

Move out of the sun and cool the skin with a cool, damp cloth or a lukewarm bath. Drink fluids, apply a bland moisturiser, and wear loose clothing. Do not break blisters or scrub peeling skin. Avoid further sun exposure until the area has healed, and use shade, protective clothing, and broad-spectrum sunscreen afterward. A pharmacist can help you choose suitable relief for discomfort.

Seek urgent medical help for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, trouble breathing, repeated vomiting, or signs of dehydration. Contact a clinician for extensive blistering, severe pain, eye pain or vision changes, fever with worsening illness, or redness that is spreading, draining, or becoming increasingly swollen. Children, older adults, and people with significant medical conditions may need earlier advice.

Ask whether the affected area needs examination, which pain or itch relief is appropriate for you, and how to protect your skin during recovery. Mention any blisters, eye symptoms, fever, medicines, or conditions that affect your skin.