Sunburn: How to Treat Sunburn Safely

Introduction: What is Sunburn?

Sunburn is a burn resulting from excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun without adequate protection. It is more common in summer, when days are longer and temperatures encourage people to spend more time outdoors for leisure, sports or work activities. Often, people only realise they have been overexposed to the sun when their skin is already red, hot and painful or burning.

According to the World Health Organization, excessive exposure to UV radiation causes sunburn and, in the long term, premature ageing of the skin and skin cancer. Avoiding sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., as recommended by Portugal’s Directorate-General of Health (DGS), and wearing a hat and appropriate clothing are among the best preventive measures.

Symptoms and Degrees of Sunburn

Sunburns are usually first or second degree. In first-degree sunburn, only the epidermis, the outermost layer, is affected; in second-degree sunburn, the burn is deeper and also reaches the next layer, the dermis (MedlinePlus). The deeper the burn, the more serious it is. The symptoms of a sunburn depend mainly on the depth and extent of the burn.

In first-degree burns, the symptoms are redness, pain when touched or a burning sensation, a feeling of heat and swelling. In second-degree burns, these symptoms are more intense and blisters appear: according to the American Academy of Dermatology, blistered skin means a second-degree sunburn. Depending on the extent of the affected area, there may also be a very high temperature, chills, dizziness, nausea, intense tiredness, headache or muscle cramps: according to the NHS, severe sunburn can lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke, so these signs require urgent medical attention.

What to Do When You Feel Sunburn

As soon as you get sunburned, get out of the sun and seek shade. First-degree burns are the most common and usually need only simple care: cool the skin with cold water compresses or a cool shower or bath, as recommended by the DGS and the NHS, which helps to relieve the pain.

Then apply an after-sun product or an unperfumed moisturiser, preferably in spray or foam form, as these are easy and painless to apply. Moisturisers containing aloe vera help soothe sunburnt skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology; if you use the plant, apply only the gel from inside the leaf, which is different from the latex of the outer layer (NCCIH). For pain, you can take paracetamol or ibuprofen, following the instructions in the leaflet.

Sunburn draws fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body, so it is important to drink extra water (AAD) and avoid alcohol (NHS). Molecular hydrogen, present in hydrogenated water, has been studied in skin damage caused by ultraviolet radiation, but mostly in animal models, according to a review of 321 original articles; there is no evidence that it treats sunburn, and plain water is enough to rehydrate.

Seek urgent medical help (in Portugal, contact SNS 24 or your doctor) if your skin is blistered or swollen, if you have a very high temperature or chills, if you feel very tired, dizzy or sick, if you have a headache or muscle cramps, or if a baby or young child has sunburn (NHS). The DGS also advises seeking medical help when the burn covers a large area of the body or when the person affected is a child or an older person.

What to Avoid in Case of Sunburn

In case of sunburn, certain precautions help prevent the lesions from worsening and promote safe recovery. Do not put ice packs on burnt skin, as the NHS advises, and do not apply alcohol, butter or greasy oils (DGS). It is also important not to rub the skin, even when bathing, not to pull off peeling skin, to avoid tight clothing and to avoid exfoliants or harsh products, which can further irritate the affected area. Treating the skin gently helps it recover.

Another crucial precaution is not to burst blisters: blisters form to help the skin heal and protect you from infection, so keep them clean. Bursting them can cause pain and increase the risk of infection. In the days that follow, avoid further sun exposure (DGS) and keep sunburnt skin covered from direct sunlight until it has healed (NHS). Damaged skin needs protection and time to recover.

For effective treatment of sunburn, keep your skin well hydrated with soothing after-sun creams (such as aloe vera) and drink plenty of water.

If the above symptoms are severe or persistent, consult a healthcare professional.

Recommended Products for Relief and Regeneration

There are several products that help relieve the discomfort of sunburn and support the skin’s recovery. Among the most commonly used are lotions or creams based on calamine, panthenol and aloe vera. Calamine lotion, a preparation containing zinc oxide (MedlinePlus), can help relieve discomfort, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Panthenol (dexpanthenol) is a derivative of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) that acts as a moisturiser and has shown an anti-inflammatory effect on experimentally induced ultraviolet erythema (Ebner et al., 2002). Aloe vera gel has a soothing effect, and clinical research suggests that applying it to the skin may speed burn healing and reduce burn pain (NCCIH). Choose unperfumed products (NHS) and do not apply alcohol to burnt skin (DGS), as these can irritate already inflamed skin.

If the sunburn causes significant pain, discomfort or a slight fever, you can take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, following the instructions in the leaflet (NHS); if in doubt, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.

These precautions are essential for anyone looking to know how to treat sunburn and minimise recovery time and scarring. But to keep your skin healthy during the summer, prevention remains the best protection.

How to Prevent Sunburn in the Future

The best protection against excessive sun exposure involves a series of actions recommended by the DGS: avoiding sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.; wearing clothing that prevents direct sun exposure of the skin; wearing a hat, preferably wide-brimmed, and sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection; staying in the shade; and using sunscreen correctly. According to IPMA (the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere), suitable clothing is the best protection for the skin, and the NHS advises not to rely on sunscreen alone.

Before going out, check the ultraviolet index (UV index), which measures the level of UV radiation: the higher the value, the greater the potential for damage to the skin and eyes, and the WHO recommends protection whenever the index is 3 or higher. In Portugal, IPMA publishes a daily UV index forecast: at the moderate level, it recommends sunglasses and sunscreen; at the high level, also a hat and T-shirt; at the very high level, also a sun umbrella and keeping children out of the sun; and at the extreme level, avoiding sun exposure as much as possible.

Children need special care: because their skin is very sensitive and the effects of sunburn are cumulative, they are a risk group (IPMA). The DGS recommends that babies under six months should not be exposed to the sun, that direct sun exposure of children under three should be avoided and that children should also wear a hat and sunglasses (DGS).

A suitable sunscreen should have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher (DGS) and should protect against ultraviolet A and B (UVA/UVB) radiation. European Commission Recommendation 2006/647/EC states that UVA protection should be at least one third of the SPF and that no sunscreen provides 100% protection. Read also our article “Summer Skin Care”. In addition, each person should know their skin’s sensitivity to the sun: people with fair skin and red hair are the most sensitive group (IPMA) and, for skin types I and II, IPMA recommends SPF 50+ when the UV index is 7 or higher (IPMA).

Darker skin is less vulnerable, but it can also develop skin cancer (WHO). Sunscreen should be applied generously before exposure (IPMA) and reapplied every two hours, especially after swimming in the sea, river or pool, or after sweating a lot (DGS). The amount matters too: the European Commission indicates around 36 grams (about 6 teaspoons) for the body of an average adult, and applying half this amount can reduce protection by as much as two thirds.

Some active ingredients in sunscreens can be absorbed into the bloodstream: a clinical trial by researchers from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected them in plasma above the threshold below which the FDA may waive some additional safety studies, although the authors stress that these findings do not mean people should stop using sunscreen. The WHO also warns that sunscreen should not be used to extend the time spent in the sun, which is why avoiding the hours of strongest radiation remains essential.

During the summer, it is also important to stay hydrated: the DGS recommends drinking more fluids (water or natural fruit juices without added sugar) and avoiding alcoholic and sugary drinks. Foods rich in polyphenols (antioxidants), such as green and white tea, cocoa, grape seeds, propolis and maca, have been studied for their possible protection against sunburn: a review of 15 studies, in humans and animals, found some evidence of benefit, but the studies are still limited and these foods do not replace sun protection. Skin care in summer is well established, and adopting these measures is a responsible and intelligent approach.

Conclusion

During the summer, it is important to encourage the adoption of protective measures against excessive sun exposure, correctly and consistently, for swimmers, sportspeople and those whose jobs involve prolonged exposure to the sun.

And, in the event of sunburn, you should get out of the sun and take immediate action. Medical intervention may be necessary, as mentioned in sections 3, 4 and 5 above.

Adopting a skincare routine in summer not only prevents sunburn, but also contributes to healthier, well-hydrated skin. Sunscreens can help prevent the damage linked to photoageing and some types of skin carcinoma (European Commission), and protection against UV radiation reduces the risk of premature ageing and skin cancer (WHO). As in other areas of health, prevention is the smartest solution, since much of the damage caused by the sun can be avoided with simple protective measures. It is very important to know your skin and be attentive and listen to your body, so don’t take any chances.

If you would like to learn more, please also read: ‘Essential Skin Care in Summer’ and ‘Molecular Hydrogen’ or the bibliography below.

Bibliography

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• Monseau AJ, Reed ZM, Langley KJ, Onks C. Sunburn, Thermal, and Chemical Injuries to the Skin. Prim Care. 2015 Dec;42(4):591-605. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2015.07.003

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