Sunburn Relief: A Guide To Treatment And Aftercare
1 July 2026
Sunburn Relief Summary
Sunburn relief is faster with the right treatments. Surface level sunburn typically heals within seven days, but the patients who reach your treatment room often have blistered or large burns that have not responded well to home methods.
Most adults can relieve mild sunburn at home using cooling products, rehydrating and a simple painkiller.
The clinical challenge faced by primary care is the moderate to severe end of the spectrum: blistered skin, large surface areas burns that raise concern about fluid balance, and the systemic signs that point to heat exhaustion or heatstroke rather than a straightforward burn.
Children and infants also warrant particular attention, since their skin is more fragile and dehydrates more rapidly.
This guide covers sunburn assessment, what to use for immediate relief, typical products used in treatment rooms, sunburn aftercare, what to avoid when treating sunburns and when to refer patients.
Assessing sunburn severity
Sunburn is a thermal injury caused by ultraviolet radiation, so the same staging used for burns applies.
Surface level sunburn shows red, feels warm, and skin is tender to touch with no blisters. This type of sunburn usually heals within seven days before the skin flakes and peels, according to NHS guidance on sunburn.
More severe sunburn blisters take longer to settle, and can even scar the skin.
The first decisions in clinics depend on three things: the area affected, whether the skin has blistered, and whether the patient shows systemic signs such as fever or dizziness.
| Presentation | Signs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Mild (superficial) | Red, warm and tender skin, no blistering | Cool, rehydrate, pain relief and aftercare; manage at home |
| Moderate (blistered) | Localised blistering, partial thickness | Cool, apply hydrogel or a burn gel dressing, leave blisters intact, review |
| Severe or extensive | Widespread blistering or facial involvement | Refer to GP or NHS 111; burn cream and dressings may be needed |
| Systemic | Fever, dizziness, nausea or rapid pulse | Treat as heat exhaustion or heatstroke; arrange urgent assessment |
Immediate sunburn relief
The aim of first response is to cool the skin, replace lost fluid and ease pain while the inflammatory phase settles.
The steps below follow NHS guidance on treating burns and scalds.
1. Move out of the sun and cover the affected skin.
2. Cool the skin with tepid water, a cool shower or a damp cloth for around ten minutes. Do not use ice.
3. Rehydrate with water and avoid alcohol, since sunburn draws fluid towards the skin.
4. Offer paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain, following the label. Do not give Aspirin under the age of sixteen.
5. Moisturise with aftersun or a light emollient once the skin has cooled, and avoid greasy or oily products.
Cooling the skin with the above methods addresses a question people often ask about sunburn, which is "what draws the heat out of a burn?".
Tepid water and a cool compress lower the skin temperature without the vasoconstriction that ice causes.
Drinking fluids and hydrating also helps recovery, but it does not heal the skin directly; its role is to counter the fluid loss that follows a widespread burn.
What to use to manage sunburn
For sunburn beyond mild redness, a treatment room typically keeps a small set of items on hand that is matched to severity.
The groups below move from immediate cooling relief through to sunburn aftercare.
Cooling hydrogels
The AeroBurn Burns Gel Spray 50ml is a water based hydrogel that cools on contact.
The spray covers tender or awkward areas without touching the skin, and the gel rinses away with water when the burn is reassessed.
The AeroBurn Burns Sachet 3.5g holds the same hydrogel in a single use sachet that suits a first aid kit or a community visit.
Dressings for blistered or larger areas
Where sunburn has blistered, a gel impregnated dressing cools the skin and acts as a low adherent barrier during early care.
The AeroBurn Sterile Burn Gel Dressing 10x10cm suits a smaller burn area, while the 20x20cm dressing drapes over a shoulder or upper back.
For a stocked grab option, the Burns Kit in a Box brings together gel, dressings and a barrier in one pack.
NHS guidance notes that severe sunburn may need burn cream and dressings administered by a GP or practice nurse.
Aftercare and reducing inflammation
As the burn settles, the skin dries, tightens and peels.
Aveeno Cream 500ml contains colloidal oatmeal and moisturises this phase without the greasy base that NHS aftercare advice cautions against.
Hydrocortisone 1% Cream (POM) is a mild corticosteroid used to reduce skin inflammation, and NHS guidance on hydrocortisone for skin notes that a pharmacist or GP may recommend a short course for sunburn.
It is not applied to broken skin or blisters, it is limited to seven days unless directed otherwise, and use on the face or in children under ten follows clinical advice.
Sunburn Relief Treatment
Relieve and treat sunburn symptoms with AeroBurn.
What to avoid
A few common actions slow recovery or raise the risk of infection.
NHS guidance advises against the following.
• Applying ice or ice packs directly to sunburnt skin
• Bursting or deroofing blisters
• Peeling or scratching flaking skin
• Greasy or oily products, including petroleum jelly
• Topical anaesthetic products, which can sensitise the skin
When to refer
Most sunburns can be managed without escalating to a GP, but some burns warrant a doctor's review, calling NHS 111, or even seeking urgent medical care.
Refer when any of the following symptoms are present, in line with NHS guidance on sunburn.
• Blistering across a large area, or sunburn on the face
• A high temperature of 38C in adults, or 37.5C in children under five
• Dizziness, headache or nausea, which point to heat exhaustion
• Signs of infection such as spreading redness, swelling or pus
• Sunburn in an infant or young child, whose skin is more fragile
Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Where a patient is confused, unresponsive or stops sweating, call 999.
Frequently asked questions
What do doctors recommend for sunburn?
Cool the skin, rehydrate, take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain, and moisturise once cooled. A pharmacist or GP may recommend hydrocortisone cream for a few days to reduce inflammation, and blistered cases may need burn dressings.
What is the fastest way to heal a sunburn?
There is no instant cure. Cooling, hydration, pain relief and moisturising support recovery, and staying out of the sun prevents further damage. Mild sunburn usually heals within seven days.
What home remedy is good for sunburn?
A cool bath or compress, aftersun or aloe vera gel, plenty of water and a simple painkiller cover most mild cases at home.
At what point do you go to the doctor for a sunburn?
Seek advice for widespread blistering, facial sunburn, fever, dizziness or nausea, signs of infection, or any sunburn in a young child.
Does drinking water help sunburn?
Yes. Sunburn draws fluid towards the skin, so drinking water counters dehydration. It supports recovery rather than healing the skin directly.
What not to do when you're sunburnt?
Do not apply ice, burst blisters, peel flaking skin or use greasy products. These slow recovery and raise the risk of infection.
Key takeaway
Most sunburns heal without primary care intervention. But a GP is usually needed to help treat more painful and blistered sunburn symptoms, along with the systemic effects of too much sun.
Treating sunburn depends on its severity.
Cool and rehydrate at the mild end, move to hydrogel dressings where the skin has blistered, and bring in an emollient or a short hydrocortisone course as the burn settles.
For the preventive side, our summer sun safety guide below covers British summertime protection in full.
Resources
This guide draws on NHS guidance on sunburn, NHS guidance on treating burns and scalds and NHS information on hydrocortisone for skin. Further reading is available from Mayo Clinic on sunburn treatment and the American Academy of Dermatology on treating sunburn.
Disclaimer: This article is written for healthcare professionals and is for general information. It does not replace clinical judgement or the instructions for use supplied with each product. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and current NHS guidance.