What should you know about reverse sunburn?

Sunburn is an inflammatory response to ultraviolet injury. Skin redness, warmth, tenderness, tightness, and later Peeling Skin are common features; Skin Blisters suggest a deeper injury. The damaged surface needs time to shed and repair, so colour may remain uneven after discomfort settles. Repeated exposure can add to longer-term Sun-Damaged Skin.

Move out of the sun, take cool showers or use cool damp cloths, drink fluids, and apply a fragrance-free moisturiser while the skin is still slightly damp. Emollient Therapy may help dryness during recovery. Do not peel loose skin, pop blisters, use ice directly, or apply irritants. Wear loose clothing and avoid further ultraviolet exposure until the skin has healed. A clinician may consider Topical Corticosteroids in selected inflammatory situations, but do not self-start them on blistered or broken skin.

Seek prompt medical advice for extensive blistering, severe pain, marked swelling, fever, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, faintness, or signs of dehydration. Get urgent help for breathing difficulty, facial swelling, eye pain, or a child who is unusually sleepy. Medical review is also sensible when redness keeps worsening, drainage appears, or healing is not progressing.

Ask how deep the burn appears, which moisturiser or pain relief is suitable with your medicines, and how to care for blisters. Ask when you can resume normal sun exposure, how to prevent another burn, and whether a persistent mark needs review.