Advice for Treating or Relieving Sunburn

Sunburn may appear as:

• A change in colour of the skin (white skin may appear pink, darker skin may appear a different colour)
• Skin that is hot to touch
• Skin that is sore or painful
• Severe sunburn may cause blisters
• Flaky/peeling skin - this is usually a couple of days after getting sunburnt.

The NHS has the following advice for dealing with sunburn:

Sunburn - NHS

Whilst not usually serious sunburn does have some associated risks. The NHS recommends seeking urgent treatment if patients have been out in the sun and:

• have blistered or swollen skin
• have a high temperature or feel hot and shivery
• feel very tired, dizzy or sick
• have a headache and muscle cramps
• the patient with sunburn is a baby or child