When to worry about skin redness if you have sunburn

Most people with Sunburn notice skin redness and warmth on exposed areas after ultraviolet exposure. Tenderness, tightness, peeling, and mild swelling may follow as the skin repairs itself. Blisters indicate a deeper injury and should be protected rather than popped.

Redness that grows after leaving the sun, becomes hotter or more painful, develops pus, or is accompanied by fever may signal infection or a more serious burn. Red, painful eyes can follow strong sun exposure and need attention if vision changes or light hurts.

Move out of direct sun, cool the skin with a damp cloth or cool shower, and drink fluids. Apply a bland moisturiser while the skin is intact. Leave blisters unbroken, cover them loosely if needed, and avoid ice, harsh scrubs, and numbing products that irritate your skin.

Contact a clinician for large or painful blisters, burns on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or over a major joint, or redness that is worsening instead of easing. Seek urgent help for faintness, confusion, repeated vomiting, inability to drink, severe headache, breathing difficulty, eye pain, or vision changes.

Ask how deep the burn appears, how to dress any blisters, which pain relief is appropriate for you, how to protect the area while it heals, and whether an eye review is needed.