If you have sunburn, your skin may:
- feel hot to touch
- feel sore or painful
- flake or peel – this usually happens a few days after you get sunburn
Your skin may also blister if your sunburn is severe.
If you have white skin, your skin will usually be red or pink. If you have black or brown skin, you may not notice a change in the colour of your skin.
There are things you can do to help ease symptoms of sunburn.
Do
get out of the sun as soon as possible
cool your skin with a cool shower, bath or damp towel (take care not to let a baby or young child get too cold)
apply aftersun cream or spray, or an unperfumed moisturiser
avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water to cool down and prevent dehydration
take painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for any pain – follow the instructions in the leaflet
cover sunburnt skin from direct sunlight until skin has fully healed
Don't
do not use petroleum jelly on sunburnt skin
do not put ice or ice packs on sunburnt skin
do not pop any blisters
do not scratch or try to remove peeling skin
do not wear tight-fitting clothes over sunburnt skin
You can ask a pharmacist:
- about the best sunburn treatments
- if you need to see a GP
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
You've been out in the sun and:
- your skin is blistered or swollen
- your temperature is very high, or you feel hot, cold or shivery
- you feel very tired, dizzy or sick
- you have a headache
- you have muscle cramps
- your baby or young child has sunburn
Severe sunburn can lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which can be very serious.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online. Call 111 if you need advice for a child under 5 years old.
Skin cancer risk
Getting sunburnt can increase your risk of skin cancer.
13 July 2026
