Sunburn
Sunburn is damage to the skin caused by ultraviolet radiation. The redness and pain do not arrive at once: they typically start 2 to 6 hours after exposure…
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Medicines commonly prescribed for Sunburn
For informational purposes only. Always consult a doctor before using any medicine.
Dosage form: ORAL SOLUTION/SUSPENSION, 100 mg paracetamol/mlActive substance: paracetamolManufacturer: Ferrer Internacional S.A.Prescription not requiredDosage form: TABLET, 650 mg tabletsActive substance: paracetamolManufacturer: Apotheke Laboratorios S.L.Prescription not requiredDosage form: ORAL SOLUTION/SUSPENSION, 100 mg/mlActive substance: paracetamolManufacturer: Laboratorios Normon S.A.Prescription required
Sunburn is damage to the skin caused by ultraviolet radiation. The redness and pain do not arrive at once: they typically start 2 to 6 hours after exposure and peak the following day. That is why burning is so easy — by the time the skin complains, the damage is already done. Most burns heal within a week, but each one counts, because the damage to the DNA of skin cells accumulates and raises the risk of skin cancer later.
Symptoms
- skin that is hot to the touch, tight and sore;
- on pale skin, redness; on brown and black skin the colour change may not show, so go by the heat, pain and swelling;
- after a few days the skin begins to peel;
- with a severe burn there are blisters, swelling, chills, headache, nausea and weakness.
What to do
- get out of the sun as soon as possible;
- cool the skin with a cool shower or a damp towel, 10–15 minutes several times a day;
- apply a light moisturiser or an aftersun product, with aloe if you prefer;
- drink more water — burns dehydrate more than people expect;
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen for the pain if you have no reason to avoid them;
- wear loose clothing in soft fabric;
- keep burnt skin completely covered from the sun until it has healed.
What not to do
- do not put ice directly on the skin — it adds injury;
- do not use petroleum jelly or thick greasy ointments on a fresh burn: they trap the heat;
- do not burst blisters — they protect against infection;
- do not pick at peeling skin;
- do not use products containing lidocaine or benzocaine without medical advice: they often irritate;
- no alcohol, vinegar, oil or similar home remedies.
When a doctor is needed
- a large area is burnt, or the face is involved;
- extensive blistering has appeared;
- there is fever, chills, dizziness or nausea;
- it is an infant or a young child;
- the surrounding skin has become hot and swollen, redness is advancing, or pus appears — signs of infection;
- the pain is severe and not relieved by ordinary painkillers;
- a severe burn followed only brief sun exposure, which happens with certain medicines.
Separately, on heatstroke: confusion, marked weakness, fainting, a temperature above 39 °C, or an absence of sweating in the heat are emergency signs. Call the emergency number.
Medicines that make burning easy
Some drugs leave the skin noticeably more vulnerable to sunlight: tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics, retinoids for acne, certain diuretics and blood pressure medicines, some anti-inflammatories, and St John's wort. If you have just started a new treatment, it is worth checking the leaflet and being extra careful on the first sunny days.
How to avoid burning
- stay out of direct sun in the middle of the day, when radiation peaks;
- broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, applied 20–30 minutes before going out and reapplied every two hours and after swimming;
- do not skimp on quantity: a thin layer cuts the real protection several times over;
- clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses;
- remember that water, sand and snow reflect radiation, and that ultraviolet passes through cloud;
- no sunbeds;
- keep babies under 6 months out of direct sunlight altogether.
Common questions
Will the burn turn into a tan? No. A burn is an injury, not a stage of tanning.
Can you burn through glass? Ordinary glass filters out the rays that burn but lets through those that age the skin.
How long does it take to heal? A mild burn, 3 to 7 days; with blisters, up to two weeks. Pigment marks and uneven tone can last longer.
Online consultation
In an online appointment a doctor can assess the severity of the burn from photographs, advise on relieving it, identify signs of infection and heatstroke, and check whether your heightened sun sensitivity relates to the medication you take.
This article is for general information and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
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Medically reviewed by
Reviewed on Jul 14, 2026
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