Bad Sunburn? What You Need to Know About Treatment and Prevention 

Close-up of a person's upper back and shoulder with visible red, irritated skin. One hand rests on the shoulder near the affected area against a plain light background.

June 29, 2026 | Tags: Wellness

You spend all day outside, but a few hours later the skin on your arms turns pink and hurts to touch. While the sun is great for boosting your mood and maintaining healthy vitamin D levels, too much of it can cause sunburn. Sunburns aren’t just painful – they can lead to serious health risks, including increased chances of skin cancer. Thankfully, they’re completely preventable.  

What is sunburn? 

Sunburn is your skin’s reaction to overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and results in damaged skin. The exposure causes skin cells to become red, swollen and painful to touch, even from clothing. 

Sunburns can occur from natural sources, like the sun, and artificial sources, like tanning booths. Additional factors like medications, skin type and skin color can increase your risks. Repeated sunburns put you at higher risk for skin cancer. Even one sunburn significantly increases your chances for melanoma, a dangerous type of skin cancer, later in life. 

Skin damage can even occur when there is no obvious burn. UV rays trigger melanin production – the pigment that colors your skin – as a protective response, which causes skin to darken. So while a tan might look like a healthy glow, it’s actually a sign that your skin has been damaged. 

What are the symptoms of sunburn? 

Symptoms from sunburns typically appear a few hours after exposure. While reddening skin can be an initial indicator, most people don’t notice until it feels painful. Sunburn can cause skin to exhibit the following symptoms: 

  • Feel tight or hot to the touch. 
  • Change color, including pink, red and purple, depending on the person’s skin color. 
  • Pain or tenderness. 
  • Swelling. 
  • Blisters. 

Your skin isn’t the only part of your body affected by sunburn. You can also experience:  

  • Headache 
  • Fatigue 
  • Nausea 
  • Fever 

How do I prevent sunburn?  

The best thing you can do for sunburn is to prevent it from happening. There are several ways you can reduce your risk: 

  • Check your local UV index; take precautions for when it is three or higher, and avoid peak hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daylight saving time. 
  • Wear sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, remembering to cover commonly missed areas like the neck, lips, scalp, ears, hands and feet. 
  • Reapply sunscreen every two hours or sooner if you’re sweating, swimming or drying off.  
  • Check if your medications cause sun sensitivity.  
  • Wear clothing that covers your skin, sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats. 
  • Find shade under umbrellas, trees or other forms of shelter. 
  • Avoid tanning beds. 
  • Protect yourself around windows at home, in cars or airplanes, since UVA rays can still pass through glass. 

How do I treat a sunburn? 

Depending on the severity, it can take several days to a week for a sunburn to fade. There’s no cure for sunburns except time and symptom management. The good news is most sunburns can be treated at home. Consider the following tips: 

  • Cool down your skin: Use cold compresses to cool the burn. Ice can be used to make ice water for a compress, but do not apply it directly to skin. Take short, cool showers or baths and avoid harsh soaps that can further irritate skin. 
  • Drink lots of water: Sunburns draw moisture away from other organs to heal skin. Increase liquids to avoid dehydration. Choose beverages that replenish electrolytes to increase hydration. 
  • Hands off: It can be challenging but avoid touching the sunburned area as much as possible. If blisters break, gently clean with mild soap and water, and cover the area to lower infection risk. Use anti-itch cream for relief from peeling skin.  
  • Protect healing skin: Avoid UV exposure while skin is healing, even on overcast days. Moisturize skin while still damp with lotions, avoiding petroleum or oil-based ointments. 
  • Lower inflammation inside and out: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, can decrease inflammation and help with discomfort. Always use medication as directed and check with a healthcare provider before taking or stopping any medications. Topical ointments like aloe vera can also soothe mild burns. 

When should I see a provider for sunburn? 

Check with your primary care provider (PCP) if you have questions or concerns about your sunburn, including how it’s healing. Be aware of changes to your skin that cause concern or could be signs of skin cancer. If you don’t have a PCP, Medical Mutual can help. Use our Find a Provider tool in the My Health Plan portal or call the Customer Care number listed on your member ID card. 

Seek medical attention for a sunburn if you or someone you know experiences: 

  • Fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius) or higher  
  • Blisters that cover more than 15-20% of your body  
  • Chills 
  • Dehydration 
  • Nausea and/or vomiting 
  • Confusion  
  • Dizziness, fatigue or faintness  
  • Signs of infection, like blisters with swelling, pus or streaks 

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