What should you know about an itchy back after sunburn?

Sunburn damages the outer skin and triggers inflammation. As the skin barrier recovers, dryness, tightness and peeling can make the back itch. Mild redness and tenderness may accompany this process. Skin redness, peeling skin and small areas of sensitivity can be part of the same episode. Larger fluid-filled blisters indicate a deeper injury and need more cautious care.

Itch that appears after a new sunscreen, after-sun product or medicine may have an additional contact or drug-related explanation. Worsening pain, spreading redness, pus or fever is not a simple reason to keep scratching; it calls for review.

Move out of direct sun, take cool showers and pat the area dry. Apply a bland moisturiser or emollient therapy to intact skin, and wear loose clothing. Drink fluids according to your usual needs and avoid picking, peeling or breaking blisters. Do not apply ice directly, harsh exfoliants, fragranced products or numbing products that irritate the skin. A clinician can advise whether a topical corticosteroid is appropriate for the inflamed area; do not use it on open or infected skin without direction.

Seek medical advice for extensive blistering, severe pain, marked swelling, repeated vomiting, dizziness, confusion, fever, chills, pus or redness that keeps spreading. Get urgent help for fainting, breathing difficulty or inability to keep fluids down. Arrange review if the itch is persistent, the burn is not settling, or the area becomes increasingly warm and tender.

Ask whether the burn needs treatment beyond moisturising, how to dress any blisters, and whether a topical corticosteroid is suitable. Ask how long to avoid sun exposure and which emollient therapy is least likely to sting.