What are the symptoms of sunburn?

The affected skin may feel warm, tight, sore or painful, and the colour can range from pink to deep red or purplish depending on your natural skin tone. Swelling may occur, especially after intense exposure. More severe burns can produce fluid-filled blisters. After several days, damaged surface skin may dry and peel. Headache, fever, chills, nausea, dizziness or marked tiredness can signal a wider heat or sun-related illness rather than a simple local burn.

Move out of direct sun, cool the skin with a cool damp cloth or a lukewarm shower, and drink fluids. Apply a bland moisturiser or emollient therapy while the skin is intact, and avoid picking peeling skin or breaking blisters. Wear loose clothing and avoid further ultraviolet exposure until the area has recovered. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.

Seek medical advice for extensive blistering, severe pain, dehydration, repeated vomiting, faintness, confusion, fever or chills. Urgent care is needed for eye pain or vision changes, breathing difficulty, or signs of infection such as increasing warmth, pus or spreading redness. Children, older adults and people with serious health conditions may need earlier assessment.

Ask how to protect and dress blistered skin, which pain relief is suitable for you, and whether the burn needs treatment for inflammation or infection. Ask how to recognise dehydration and when it is safe to return to outdoor activity.