Does sunburn hurt?

Why does sunburn hurt?

Ultraviolet radiation, or UV, damages skin when exposure exceeds the protection offered by melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. Inflammation and swelling contribute to the pain. Sunburn is an injury, not simply skin feeling warm after being outside.23

Lighter skin usually turns pink or red. On brown or black skin, a colour change can be harder to see, so pay attention to heat, tenderness and swelling rather than redness alone. Blisters indicate damage beyond the outermost skin layer.14

How long does sunburn pain last?

A mild sunburn generally heals within a few days to a week. Pain can worsen before improving because the full effects take 24 hours or longer to appear. Peeling often starts several days later. Deeper burns with blisters can take weeks to heal and need medical assessment.12

How can you ease the pain?

1. 1Get indoors or out of direct sunlight. Cover the burnt area when outside until it has healed.
2. 2Cool the skin with a cool shower, bath or clean, damp cloth. Gently pat dry afterward. Do not apply ice or ice packs.
3. 3If the skin is not blistering, apply an unperfumed moisturiser. A moisturiser containing aloe vera or soy is another option; apply while the skin is still damp and again when discomfort returns.
4. 4For pain, take paracetamol, also called acetaminophen, or ibuprofen following the packet instructions. Ask a pharmacist about suitability if you take other medicines or have medical conditions. Never give aspirin to children.
5. 5Drink extra water and wear loose clothing. Leave blisters intact and let peeling skin come away on its own.

Aftersun cream is an option for comfort, although its name sounds more like a diary entry than a requirement.4

Avoid numbing products containing benzocaine or lidocaine because they can cause allergic reactions and worsen the burn. Do not keep touching the burnt area. If ordinary painkillers do not control the pain, seek medical advice rather than increasing the dose. Check combination medicines: a prescribed product containing paracetamol must not be taken with extra paracetamol.23

When does sunburn need medical help?

Get urgent medical advice if you have:

• Blistering, swelling or extreme pain.
• Fever, chills, headache, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting.
• Dizziness, faintness, rapid breathing, extreme thirst or very little urine.
• Pus or worsening swelling, which can signal infection.
• Eye pain or sensitivity to light.

A baby or young child with sunburn needs urgent medical advice. Severe sunburn can occur alongside heat exhaustion or heatstroke; do not treat symptoms affecting the whole body as just sore skin.4

What should you do after the pain fades?

Pain settling does not undo the damage to skin cells, and sunburn increases skin cancer risk. Use shade and protective clothing, plus broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin. Reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.25

For moisturising during recovery, an unperfumed moisturiser remains an option, without needing to audition for the holiday aisle.4