What are the first signs of sunburn?

Sunburn is an inflammatory response to ultraviolet injury. The affected skin may feel hot, tight, sensitive, or itchy, and the colour can deepen over the following hours. Areas that received more exposure may be more painful than nearby skin.

More severe injury can lead to swelling, fluid-filled Skin Blisters, or later Peeling Skin. Redness may be less obvious on darker skin, so warmth, soreness, tenderness, and a change in texture also matter. Sunburn is different from the longer-term changes described as Sun-Damaged Skin.

Move out of direct sun, cool the skin with a cool damp cloth or a brief cool shower, and drink fluids. Apply a bland moisturiser or Emollient Therapy while the skin is intact, avoid picking or breaking blisters, and wear loose clothing. Do not return the area to sun until it has settled.

Seek medical advice for extensive blistering, marked swelling, severe pain, signs of infection, or symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, confusion, or fainting. Get urgent help if a child is unusually drowsy or cannot keep fluids down. A clinician can advise whether a treatment such as Topical Corticosteroids is appropriate; do not apply prescription treatment without guidance.

Ask how deep the burn appears, how to care for any blisters, which moisturiser is suitable, and how to protect the area while it heals without irritating damaged skin.