Itchy skin after sunburn

A sunburn injures the outer skin and causes inflammation. As the affected surface dries and begins to shed, tightness and itching can replace the initial heat or tenderness. Peeling skin may feel especially irritating, and scratching can create small breaks that allow infection.

A new spreading rash, raised welts, or symptoms outside the sun-exposed area may point to an additional reaction rather than ordinary healing. A clinician may consider Contact Dermatitis, Hives, Atopic Dermatitis, or another cause when the pattern does not fit a straightforward burn.

Keep the area out of further sun and cool it with a damp cloth or a lukewarm rinse. Apply a gentle fragrance-free moisturiser while the skin is slightly damp. Drink fluids, wear soft loose clothing, and do not peel loose skin or open blisters. Avoid harsh scrubs, fragranced products, and numbing products that sting.

A pharmacist can recommend suitable pain or itch relief after checking your age, allergies, health conditions, and medicines. Protect healing skin with clothing and shade; wait until it has recovered before exposing it again.

Contact a clinician for extensive blistering, worsening pain, pus, increasing warmth, fever, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, or signs of dehydration. Urgent care is needed for trouble breathing, facial swelling, faintness, or a rapidly spreading raised rash.

Ask how to protect the damaged area, which moisturiser and medicines are suitable, and whether the severity or pattern suggests more than sunburn. Tell the clinician when the exposure occurred, how the skin changed, and whether any blisters or new products are involved.