August 20, 2018
Sunburned at the beach

Sunburn: Causes and Treatments

by Berkeley Wellness



Symptoms of sunburn

First-degree: reddish skin that feels hot and tender.

Second-degree: small, fluid-filled blisters that may itch and eventually break.


Note: A sunburn becomes most evident 3 to 6 hours after sunning, reaching a peak at 12 to 24 hours.

What causes sunburn?

Exposure to UVB causes several changes in the skin, including blood vessel dilation (widening), the release of inflammatory chemicals by skin cells, and the cells’ swelling and leaking fluid. These changes result in the characteristic redness and, when the cells swell and leak, blistering.

Using the UV Index

The UV Index indicates the amount of UV radiation reaching earth at noontime. The higher the index number, the greater your exposure when you go outdoors.

What if you do nothing?

Although very painful, a sunburn eventually heals as the skin renews itself, generally taking from one to four days for a first-degree burn that reddens the upper skin layer (epidermis), to four to seven days for a more severe second-degree burn that affects underlying layers.

Home remedies for sunburn


  • Get some pain relief. If your sunburn is very painful, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen. Aspirin and ibuprofen will both relieve pain and may help reduce inflammation. There are also first aid sprays containing benzocaine, a topical anesthetic that also acts on the nerve endings in the skin. Be careful, as this may sensitize the skin and lead to an allergic reaction upon subsequent applications of other medications in the “-caine” family. Don’t use other “-caine” anesthetics (such as lidocaine) for sunburn: They are readily absorbed into the bloodstream if the skin is broken and may cause immediate toxic or allergic reactions.
  • Try cooling lotions. Calamine lotion and aloe vera-based gels may provide some relief from pain and discomfort.
  • If you are sunburned all over your body, try an oatmeal bath. The oatmeal soothes the skin and reduces inflammation. You can buy colloidal oatmeal bath products (such as Aveeno) in drugstores. Or make your own oatmeal soak at home by finely grinding a cup of dry instant oatmeal in a blender or food processor. Scatter the oatmeal in a tub of cool water and soak for a while. (Cornstarch works equally well.)

How to prevent sunburn

Sunburn is easily avoidable if you take some simple precautions. These include using an effective sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher (choose one that says “broad spectrum” on the label, meaning that it protects against UVA as well); wearing a broad-brimmed hat and tightly woven clothing to minimize exposed skin; and avoiding long sun exposure, even if you are wearing a sunscreen. Also make sure that children, especially infants, are well protected.

African-Americans and other people with comparatively dark skin probably need less sun protection than light-skinned people because their skin has a higher concentration of melanin—a pigment that absorbs UV rays. This is the skin’s defense against the sun. African-Americans seldom develop skin cancer and are less susceptible to sun-induced wrinkles. Among people who are not genetically dark-skinned, those who tan easily appear to be less susceptible to skin cancer—but they still need protection against UV rays.

When to call your doctor



What your doctor will do
