Severe sunburn at the beach: treating it right

Severe sunburn is more than a minor inconvenience: it is a real injury that can cause significant pain, blistering, and systemic symptoms. At the beach, your priority is to stop further exposure, cool the skin safely, and know when to get professional help.

What is happening

Sunburn is damage to the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In severe cases, the skin may blister, swell, and become very tender. You may also experience headache, fever, chills, nausea, or dizziness, which can indicate heat exhaustion or dehydration. These symptoms mean you should seek medical attention.

Emergency warning

Call local emergency services immediately if you or someone else has severe sunburn with confusion, fainting, rapid breathing, or a high fever, or if sunburn covers a large portion of the body with extensive blistering. These can be signs of heat stroke or serious complications.

What to do first

1. Get out of the sun. Move to shade, indoors, or an air-conditioned space. Do not stay on the beach.
2. Cool the skin. Use cool (not ice-cold) water from a shower, bath, or clean cloths. Avoid ice packs directly on the skin, as this can cause further damage. Cool for 10-15 minutes at a time.
3. Hydrate. Drink water or an electrolyte drink to replace fluids lost through sweating and to support healing.
4. Soothe the skin. Apply a gentle moisturizer, aloe vera gel, or a cool compress. Avoid products containing alcohol, fragrance, or numbing agents like benzocaine, which can irritate the skin.
5. Relieve pain. An over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help with pain and inflammation. Follow the label instructions and do not exceed the recommended dose.
6. Protect blisters. Do not pop blisters. Cover them loosely with a clean, dry dressing to prevent infection.

What NOT to do

• Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
• Do not use petroleum jelly, butter, or oil-based products on a fresh sunburn.
• Do not pop blisters or peel skin.
• Do not drink alcohol, which can worsen dehydration.
• Do not expose the burned area to more sun until it is fully healed.

When to seek professional care

Seek medical attention if you have:

• Blisters covering a large area or on the face, hands, or genitals
• Fever, chills, headache, confusion, or nausea
• Signs of infection such as increasing redness, warmth, pus, or swelling
• Severe pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter medication
• Sunburn that does not improve after a few days

What to monitor

Watch for worsening symptoms over the next 24-48 hours. Check for increased blistering, spreading redness, or systemic symptoms like dizziness or rapid heartbeat. Keep the burned area clean and moisturized, and stay hydrated.

How to prevent it

Prevention is far better than treatment. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating. Wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. Seek shade during peak UV hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Avoid tanning beds and never let sunburn happen intentionally.

If you are unsure about the severity of a sunburn, err on the side of caution and contact a healthcare provider. For emergencies, call your local emergency number.

This is general information and not a substitute for professional medical advice. In an emergency, call your local emergency services immediately.