Are you sunburnt? Watch out for these signs and symptoms to know

Published on:8 July 2021, 13:32pm IST
Severe sunburn can damage your DNA, therefore you must keep an eye on these tell-tale signs and symptoms to cure it at an early stage.
Aayushi Gupta
Sunburn results from too much sun or Sun equivalent exposure. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Listen to this article

A sunburn indicates that sun damage has wreaked havoc on your skin, due to prolonged exposure to UV radiation. They are different from the burns you receive from something hot. Suburbs are caused by ultraviolet radiation that damages your skin, resulting in redness, swelling, inflammation and sometimes pain.

Have you ever been exposed to sunlight for extended periods, in the absence of long sleeved clothes or sunscreen? If so, you may have found that the sun eventually burns your skin, making it red and irritated. There are some immediate symptoms of sunburn, while there are others you may experience after being in the sun for several days.

Immediate symptoms of sunburn are:
  1. Sunburn can turn your skin red or pinkish. It will eventually heal, but some people might experience the redness on their skin for a longer period of time. 
  2. The sun gives off ultraviolet light that damages skin and causes sunburn. Over time, these rays can cause wrinkles, dark spots and other skin problems.
  3. Your skin might feel warm or hot to the touch.
  4. Experiencing itchiness and dryness are common too. The frequent itching sensation may add to the irritation. 
  5. Severe redness, pain or tenderness are the result of sunburn. When the skin is touched or rubbed, you may feel pain. 
Try to avoid going out in the sun unnecessarily. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Also read: Summer troubling your skin? Try these 5 home remedies to soothe irritation

In addition to these immediate reactions to a sunburn, there are other symptoms that may appear over time. These are:

  • Several days after sun exposure, the skin may trigger the appearance of blisters. They may range from very fine blisters to large water-filled blisters with red tender and raw skin underneath. 
  • If the sunburn is severe, you may suffer from fever too that may result in nausea. Headache, fatigue, and feeling pain in the eyes are the symptoms of sunburn. 
  • Your skin may be swollen.

A few days later, your skin will start peeling or itching as your body tries to eliminate sun-damaged cells.

Longer exposure to the sun can actually damage your upper layer of skin! Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Check out some sunburn treatments for immediate relief:
  • Apply cold compress over the infected area or take a bath with cold water. This can give you some relief.
  • Apply aloe vera gel or cream, because it has cooling properties. Thus, it can offer temporary relief.
  • Sometimes, sunburns can make you feel dehydrated, so it is advised to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.
  • Stay out of the sun, otherwise, this will make the burn worse by exposing it to more UV. 
  • Completely cover the sunburnt areas, when going outside.
  • Decrease inflammation and discomfort with anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin. 
Get medical care if:
  • Sunburn causes blisters and extreme pain;
  • When sunburn covers a large area;
  • When you have frequent headaches, confusion, or fainting spells;
  • When sunburn causes severe swelling.

Aayushi Gupta Aayushi Gupta
