Sunburn Treatment: How to Soothe a Burn Fast, Care for Blisters and Know When It's Sun Poisoning
Written by Naurah Gaspard, DNP, FNP-C, FNP-BC · Medically reviewed by Cherlie Joseph, MSN, FNP-BC · Updated November 2026
To treat a sunburn, get out of the sun, take cool showers, apply an aloe or soy moisturizer to damp skin, take ibuprofen for pain and swelling if it is safe for you, and drink extra water. Leave blisters alone. Most sunburns heal in 3 to 7 days; widespread blistering, fever, chills, confusion or signs of dehydration need medical care.
In this guide
How bad is your sunburn?
| Type | What you notice | Usual healing time |
|---|---|---|
| Mild (first-degree) | Red or darker, warm, tender skin; peeling later | 3 to 5 days |
| Moderate | Very painful, swollen, hot skin | About a week |
| Blistering (second-degree) | Fluid-filled blisters, more pain | 1 to 2 weeks or longer |
| Severe ("sun poisoning") | Blisters over large areas, fever, chills, nausea, headache, dizziness | Needs medical care |
Sunburn often keeps getting worse for 24 to 36 hours after sun exposure, so a burn that seems mild at the beach can be much worse the next day. People of every skin tone can burn; on darker skin, sunburn may show as tenderness, warmth, peeling or darkening rather than obvious redness.
Step-by-step sunburn relief
These steps follow American Academy of Dermatology advice:
- Get out of the sun, ideally indoors, as soon as you notice the burn.
- Cool the skin with frequent cool showers or baths, or a cool, damp cloth. Pat dry gently.
- Moisturize damp skin with a lotion containing aloe vera or soy. Calamine lotion or a colloidal oatmeal bath can also help.
- Ease pain and swelling with ibuprofen or aspirin as the label directs, if those are safe for you. Acetaminophen helps pain but not swelling.
- Drink extra water; a sunburn draws fluid to the skin and can dehydrate you.
- Leave blisters alone. Do not pop them. If one breaks, clean gently and cover with petroleum jelly and a non-stick bandage.
- Protect the area with loose, tightly woven clothing while it heals, and stay out of the sun.
A 1% hydrocortisone cream can calm itch for a few days on unbroken skin. Peeling is part of healing; moisturize and do not pull the skin off.
Painful, blistering burn?
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Start a rash visit →What not to put on a sunburn
- Ice directly on skin, which can damage it further; wrap ice in a cloth.
- "-caine" numbing sprays like benzocaine, which can irritate skin and cause allergic reactions.
- Butter, oils or thick ointments on unbroken burned skin, which trap heat. Save petroleum jelly for blisters and broken skin.
- Fragranced lotions or alcohol-based gels, which can sting and dry skin.
- More sun. Burned skin burns again easily.
Sun poisoning and sun rashes
"Sun poisoning" is not a medical term, but people use it for two things:
- A severe sunburn with blisters over large areas plus fever, chills, nausea, headache or dizziness. This can come with dehydration or heat illness and needs medical care.
- A sun rash (polymorphous light eruption): itchy bumps or patches on sun-exposed skin hours after sun, most common in spring or early in a beach trip.
Some medicines make you burn much more easily, including doxycycline, some diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide, retinoids for acne and certain antifungals. If you burned more than expected on a new medicine, ask your provider.
Preventing sunburn in Florida
Florida's UV index is high most of the year, and up to 80% of UV rays pass through clouds. The AAD recommends:
- A broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
- About 1 ounce, a shot glass full, to cover exposed skin, and at least a teaspoon for your face.
- Apply 15 minutes before going out and reapply about every 2 hours, and after swimming or sweating.
- Seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., wear a wide-brimmed hat, UV-blocking sunglasses and UPF clothing.
- Do not forget ears, scalp parts, tops of feet and lips (SPF lip balm).
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, and sunburns raise that risk. Check your skin regularly and get any new, changing or bleeding spot looked at.
Get in-person care or call 911 if you have:
- Blisters covering a large area of your body
- Fever, chills, vomiting or a severe headache with a sunburn
- Confusion, fainting or a body temperature of 104°F or higher (possible heat stroke; call 911)
- Signs of dehydration: dizziness, very little urine, dry mouth
- Increasing pain, swelling, pus or red streaks from a blister
- Sunburned eyes with eye pain or vision changes
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to heal a sunburn?
Cool showers, an aloe or soy moisturizer on damp skin, ibuprofen if safe for you, lots of water and staying out of the sun. There is no instant fix; most mild burns heal in 3 to 5 days.
Should I pop sunburn blisters?
No. Blisters protect the healing skin underneath. If one breaks, clean it gently and cover with petroleum jelly and a non-stick bandage.
How long does sunburn last?
Mild sunburn usually improves in 3 to 5 days. Blistering burns can take 1 to 2 weeks or longer, and peeling may last a few more days.
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology: How to treat sunburn
- American Academy of Dermatology: Sunscreen FAQs
- MedlinePlus: Heat Illness
Keep reading
Get help for a bad burn from home
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Start a rash visit →
Naurah Gaspard, DNP, FNP-C, FNP-BC
Board-certified family nurse practitioner licensed in Florida, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington, caring for adults online at OurTopClinic. Meet our providers.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Treatment, including any prescription, is decided by a licensed provider after reviewing your health history. OurTopClinic is not for emergencies; if you have a medical emergency, call 911. OurTopClinic serves adults located in Florida, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington. Learn more at ourtopclinic.com.
