Sunburn First Aid: What to Do When the Sun Wins

kelly young
3 days ago
2 min read

A day at the beach, a long hike, boating with friends, kids playing outside all afternoon… and then suddenly you notice it.

Your skin is hot. Tight. Red. Tender.

Yep. Sunburn.

Most of us have had at least one “I should have worn more sunscreen” moment. But sunburn is more than just uncomfortable—it’s actually a radiation burn to your skin, and severe burns can lead to dehydration, heat illness, infection, and long-term skin damage.

As someone who teaches first aid every day, I can tell you this: knowing what to do right away can make a huge difference in how miserable the next few days are.

First Aid for a Mild to Moderate Sunburn

1. Get Out of the Sun Immediately

This sounds obvious, but people often stay outside after they realize they’re burned.

Move into shade or indoors as soon as possible to prevent more skin damage.

2. Cool the Skin

The goal is to lower the temperature of the skin gently.

Try:

Cool (not ice cold) showers or baths
Cool wet washcloths
Damp towels placed over the burned areas

🚫 Avoid ice directly on the skin. Ice can actually damage already irritated tissue even more.

3. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Sunburn pulls fluid to the surface of the skin, which can leave you dehydrated.

Drink:

Water
Electrolyte drinks
Coconut water
Decaffeinated fluids

Signs you may be getting dehydrated:

Dizziness
Dry mouth
Dark urine
Fatigue
Headache

Kids and older adults can become dehydrated faster, so keep a close eye on them.

4. Moisturize the Skin

After cooling the burn, apply a gentle moisturizer.

Helpful options:

Aloe vera gel
Fragrance-free lotion
Moisturizers designed for sensitive skin

🚫 Avoid products with heavy fragrances or alcohol—they can sting and dry the skin more.

5. Leave Blisters Alone

Blisters mean the burn is more serious.

Do NOT:

Pop them
Peel skin
Scrub the area

Blisters help protect the skin underneath from infection.

If a blister breaks:

Wash gently with soap and water
Apply antibiotic ointment if needed
Cover loosely with a clean bandage

6. Treat the Pain

Over-the-counter medications like:

Ibuprofen
Acetaminophen

may help reduce pain and inflammation if you can safely take them.

When a Sunburn Becomes an Emergency

Seek medical care if someone has:

Fever
Chills
Vomiting
Confusion
Severe blistering
Signs of dehydration
Trouble staying awake
Heat exhaustion symptoms
Burns over a large area of the body

Infants with sunburn should always be evaluated carefully.

Don’t Forget Your Lips, Ears, and Feet

Some of the worst burns happen in places people forget:

Tops of feet
Ears
Scalp
Back of neck
Lips

These areas burn FAST.

How to Prevent Sunburn

The best first aid is prevention.

Summer Sun Safety Tips:

☀️ Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours☀️ Use SPF 30 or higher☀️ Wear hats and sunglasses☀️ Drink water all day long☀️ Take shade breaks☀️ Protect kids even on cloudy days☀️ Remember: water and sand reflect sunlight and increase exposure

Every summer, I see people underestimate heat illness and sun exposure. A “simple sunburn” can quickly turn into dehydration, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke—especially in children, older adults, and athletes.

Enjoy the sunshine. Go to the beach. Take the boat ride. Go on the hike.

Just don’t forget to protect your skin while you’re making those summer memories.