Sunburn

The skin will normally start to flake and peel after a few days and will usually fully heal within 7 days.

While sunburn is often short-lived and mild, it’s important to try to avoid it, because it can increase your chances of developing serious health problems, such as skin cancer, in later life.

It’s easy to underestimate your exposure to the sun when outside, as the redness doesn’t usually develop for several hours. Breezes and getting wet (such as going in and out of the sea) may cool your skin, so you don’t realise you’re getting burnt.

You should always be aware of the risk of sunburn if you’re outside in strong sun, and look out for your skin getting hot.


While sunburn is often short-lived and mild, it’s important to try to avoid it, because it can increase your chances of developing serious health problems, such as skin cancer, in later life.

It’s easy to underestimate your exposure to the sun when outside, as the redness doesn’t usually develop for several hours. Breezes and getting wet (such as going in and out of the sea) may cool your skin, so you don’t realise you’re getting burnt.

You should always be aware of the risk of sunburn if you’re outside in strong sun, and look out for your skin getting hot.


It’s easy to underestimate your exposure to the sun when outside, as the redness doesn’t usually develop for several hours. Breezes and getting wet (such as going in and out of the sea) may cool your skin, so you don’t realise you’re getting burnt.

You should always be aware of the risk of sunburn if you’re outside in strong sun, and look out for your skin getting hot.

Symptoms

Do cool the skin by sponging it with cold water or by having a cold bath or shower – applying a cold compress such as a cold flannel to the affected area may also helpdrink plenty of fluids to cool you down and prevent dehydrationtake pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve any pain – aspirin should not be given to children under 16try to avoid all sunlight, including through windows, by covering up the affected areas of skin until your skin has fully healed

Get treatment advice from your local pharmacy

Your nearest pharmacist can advise you on the best treatment if you have sunburn.

Find your nearest pharmacy