Sunburn remedies: fast relief and safe home care

Sunburn hurts. You want relief now and to avoid making it worse. This page gives straight, practical sunburn remedies you can use at home, plus clear signs that need medical care. No fluff — just steps that work.

Cool the skin right away. Move out of the sun and rinse with cool (not ice-cold) water for 10 to 15 minutes. A cool shower or a damp cloth applied gently lowers skin temperature and reduces pain. Avoid ice directly on burned skin — it can damage tissue.

Moisturize while skin is damp. Pat the skin dry, then apply a thin layer of a fragrance-free moisturizer or Aloe vera gel. Aloe vera soothes and helps skin recover. If you use a lotion with lidocaine, test a small area first; numbing agents can irritate in some cases.

Take anti-inflammatory pain relief. Over-the-counter ibuprofen or naproxen reduces inflammation and eases pain. Follow the package directions and check with a pharmacist if you take other medicines. If you can’t take NSAIDs, acetaminophen helps with pain but not inflammation.

Stay hydrated and protect healing skin. Sunburn pulls fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of your body. Drink extra water for 48 hours and eat light, hydrating foods like fruit. Wear loose, breathable clothing to avoid rubbing and keep the burned area covered when outdoors.

Treat blisters with care. If blisters form, don’t pop them. Blisters protect the skin underneath; leaving them intact reduces infection risk. If a blister breaks on its own, clean gently, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover with a sterile bandage.

Know when to seek medical help. Get urgent care if you have blistering over a large area, fever, chills, severe pain, dizziness, confusion, or signs of infection (increased redness, spreading warmth, pus). Young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems should get medical advice for any significant sunburn.

Avoid common mistakes. Don’t apply butter, oils, or toothpaste — these trap heat and can worsen damage. Also avoid harsh soaps and exfoliants until the skin heals. Skip tanning products that claim to speed recovery; they don’t help.

Prevent the next burn. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher, apply 15 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours or after swimming/sweating. Wear a hat and seek shade between 10am and 4pm.

Quick home remedy checklist:

• Move to shade and cool the skin
• Use aloe vera or gentle moisturizer
• Take an NSAID if appropriate
• Drink plenty of water
• Leave blisters alone
• Seek care for severe symptoms

Sunburn is common but preventable. These simple steps reduce pain and help skin heal faster. Want a printable quick guide or a list of recommended products? I can make one for you.

Extra tips: gently exfoliate only after skin fully peels; use fragrance-free laundry soap while healing; avoid swimming in chlorinated pools until sunburn improves; consider a short course of oral steroids only if a doctor advises it for severe swelling; and check tetanus status for deep skin breaks. Ask your pharmacist for advice.