We’ve all done it – spent too much time outdoors without adequate sunscreen, only to return home several hours later with a painful sunburn. But even after the sunburn fades, lasting damage may persist, including premature wrinkling and age spots; red, dry and painful eyes and a heightened risk of skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma, which can be life-threatening.

Symptoms: Sunburns are often not immediately visible. Symptoms usually start about 4 hours after sun exposure, worsen in 24-36 hours, and resolve in 3-5 days. Symptoms may include redness, warm and tender skin, swelling and blistering, headache, fever and nausea, and fatigue. Skin peeling usually begins 3 to 8 days after exposure.

What to do: Take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen to relieve pain and reduce fever. Drink water to replace fluid losses. Take cool baths or gently apply cool, wet cloths on the burned area. Apply a topical moisturizing cream, aloe, or 1% hydrocortisone cream. If blistering occurs, lightly bandage or cover the area with gauze to prevent infection. After the blisters break and the skin peels, an antiseptic ointment or hydrocortisone cream may be applied.

Caution: Seek medical attention if any of the following occur:

• Severe sunburns covering more than 15% of the body
• Dehydration
• High fever (>101°F)
• Extreme pain that persists for longer than 48 hours

For a helpful guide on how to get the right care for any injury or health problem, visit Know Where to Go.

If your condition is an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.