Is sunburn itchy?

Why does sunburn get itchy?

Sunburn is an inflammatory reaction to too much ultraviolet radiation. Irritation and itching can accompany the warmth, swelling and pain. Dry skin can also itch, so dryness adds another reason to use gentle moisturizer during recovery. Scratching gives brief relief but leaves skin more irritated and starts the itch again.34

Sunburn redness usually peaks within 12 to 24 hours and settles over 3 to 7 days. Peeling can start around 4 to 7 days after exposure. These are recovery milestones, not an exact countdown for itching. Redness can be less obvious on darker skin, so pay attention to warmth, tenderness and irritation too.3

How can you soothe itchy sunburn?

Start with cooling and gentle moisturizing. The shopping list can stay short, without giving every bottle in the bathroom a supporting role.1

1. 1Move out of the sun and protect the burned area from further exposure.
2. 2Take a cool bath or shower, or place a cool, wet washcloth on the burn. Repeat the cool compress when needed for comfort.
3. 3Pat dry and apply a fragrance free moisturizing lotion. For dryness, applying moisturizer within 3 to 5 minutes of bathing helps trap water in the skin.
4. 4Leave blisters intact. Clean blisters with mild soap and water, and cover any that have burst with a moist, sterile dressing.

Avoid scratching, very hot showers and fragranced products that irritate the skin. Aloe can temporarily soothe sunburn, but it is not a dependable treatment for dry, itchy skin. Skip apple cider vinegar, which can worsen irritation. Avoid sunburn sprays or lotions containing numbing medicines because they can cause allergic reactions.14

What if the itching is intense?

A less common reaction called hell's itch causes deep, painful itching, often on the upper back and shoulders. It starts 1 to 3 days after sunburn, comes in waves and typically eases within 48 hours. Its exact cause is unclear; damaged nerve endings triggering an overreaction are one possible explanation. Scratching can worsen it and tear the skin, increasing infection risk.2

Cool compresses and an oatmeal bath can help soothe intense itching. An antihistamine or 1% hydrocortisone cream can help with hell's itch, but steroid creams are not reliably effective for sunburn itself. Ask a pharmacist which medicine is suitable, especially if you take other medicines. Avoid hydrocortisone ointments for this purpose because they seal in heat. Keep hydrated because sunburn draws fluid from the rest of the body.235

When should you get medical help?

See a doctor if you have blisters over a large area, fever, chills, dizziness or confusion. Get medical advice if the rash worsens, does not improve after a few days in a cool place, or develops pus. Extremely itchy, scaly bumps after sun exposure can also be a sun allergy rather than ordinary sunburn. Some medicines cause sun reactions; check with your pharmacist if the reaction follows starting a medicine.256

Protect peeling skin from another burn

Keep burned skin out of sunlight for several weeks, particularly while peeling, because the new skin underneath is thin and sensitive. For future exposure, combine shade and protective clothing with water resistant, broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Broad spectrum covers UVA and UVB, rather than being another impressive phrase competing for space on the bottle. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating.16