What should you know about moderate sunburn?

Sunburn is an inflammatory reaction after excessive ultraviolet exposure. Skin redness, warmth, tenderness, and tightness can appear after exposure and may intensify before settling. Blisters indicate deeper skin injury; peeling later is part of the skin shedding damaged surface cells. Sun-damaged skin can accumulate changes over repeated exposure, so one episode is also a reason to review daily sun protection. Affected skin can be especially sensitive to heat, friction, fragranced products, and further sunlight.

Move out of the sun and cool the skin with a cool, damp cloth or a lukewarm shower. Drink fluids, wear loose clothing, and use a bland moisturiser or emollient on intact skin once it is cool. Do not apply ice directly, peel loose skin, or break blisters; cover a blister gently if clothing rubs it. A pharmacist or clinician can advise about pain relief and whether any topical treatment is suitable. Avoid tanning and direct sun until the skin has recovered, then use shade, protective clothing, and broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Get urgent medical help for extensive blistering, severe pain, confusion, faintness, repeated vomiting, dehydration, breathing trouble, or signs of heat illness. Seek prompt advice for sunburn involving the eyes, face, hands, or genitals, or if a child or medically vulnerable person is affected. Increasing redness, pus, worsening swelling, or fever after the initial injury may indicate infection. Do not use topical corticosteroids or other medicated creams on blistered or broken skin unless a clinician recommends them.

Ask whether the burn needs examination, how to protect blisters, which moisturiser or pain medicine fits your health history, and when normal activities can resume. If burns happen often, ask for a practical sun-protection plan and whether signs of photoaging need review.