Sunburn
Overview
Causes
Sunburn is caused when skin is exposed to UV rays for too long. This happens from spending too much time in the sun or indoor tanning devices.
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Sunburns can vary from mild to severe. This depends on a person's skin type and how much time they were exposed. Symptoms may appear within a few hours of being exposed.
A person with a sunburn may have:
- Skin redness, warmth, or swelling
- Tingling or painful skin
- Blisters
- Fever or chills
- Weakness
Treatments
Treatment
Treatment depends on how bad the sunburn is. The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms and heal the skin. Choices are:
- Staying out of the sun while the skin heals
- Supportive care, such as cool compresses
- Medicines, such as:
- Pain relievers
- Creams to put on the skin to ease symptoms and help with healing
Prevention
To lower the risk of sunburn:
- Avoid spending too much time in the sun.
- Stay out of the sun during peak hours. This is between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
- Wear a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and a hat with a broad brim.
- Wear sunglasses that absorb 99% or 100% UV rays.
- Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
- Use a protective lip balm.
- Do not use indoor tanning devices.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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