What should you know about serious sunburn?

Sunburn is an inflammatory injury caused by ultraviolet exposure. More severe burns may be very tender, warm, swollen, blistered, or followed by peeling as damaged surface cells shed. Headache, dizziness, nausea, weakness, feverishness, or confusion can signal heat illness or dehydration rather than a skin-only problem. A burn over the face, hands, feet, genitals, or a large body area deserves a lower threshold for professional advice, especially in a child, older adult, or person with significant medical conditions.

Move out of the sun, cool the skin with a clean cool damp cloth or a lukewarm shower, and drink fluids if you can do so safely. Apply a bland moisturiser or emollient to intact skin. Do not burst blisters, peel loose skin, use ice directly, or apply products that contain alcohol or irritants. Cover the area from further sun and use loose clothing. A clinician may advise specific topical treatment, but corticosteroids should not be started on broken or infected skin without guidance.

Get urgent medical help for widespread blisters, severe swelling, eye pain or vision change, fainting, confusion, repeated vomiting, inability to drink, signs of infection, or severe pain that is worsening. Feverishness with weakness after prolonged heat exposure can require emergency assessment. Do not wait for peeling to begin before seeking help when these warning signs are present.

Ask how to dress or moisturise blistered skin, which pain medicines are suitable for you, whether any areas need examination, and how to recognise infection. Tell the clinician when the exposure occurred, whether you became dizzy or nauseated, and what products you have already applied.