Sunburn
Get convenient online consultation for sunburn with DocOnTrip during your travels – assess severity and receive expert advice for effective relief and proper care.
About Sunburn
Sunburn is skin damage caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. It results in redness, pain, and sometimes blistering, and significantly increases the risk of long-term skin damage, including premature aging and various forms of skin cancer. A severe sunburn can quickly ruin a trip and cause significant discomfort and health concerns. DocOnTrip offers convenient online consultations to assess the severity of your sunburn and guide you toward effective relief and proper care, helping you manage the symptoms and protect your skin.
Symptoms
- Redness and warmth of the affected skin.
- Pain or tenderness to the touch.
- Itching, often developing a few days after exposure.
- Swelling in the affected area.
- Small fluid-filled blisters, indicating a more severe sunburn (second-degree burn).
- Peeling skin, which typically occurs several days after the initial burn as the body sheds damaged skin cells.
- In severe cases: fever, chills, nausea, headache (sometimes referred to as "sun poisoning" or severe sunstroke).
Causes & Risk Factors
- Excessive exposure to UV radiation (sunlight, tanning beds).
- Fair skin that burns easily and rarely tans.
- Not using sunscreen or using insufficient SPF (Sun Protection Factor).
- Spending prolonged time outdoors, especially during peak UV hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
- High altitude or reflective surfaces (snow, water) (which can intensify UV exposure).
- Certain medications that increase sun sensitivity (photosensitivity).
- History of previous sunburns, particularly blistering ones, which increase future risk.
Diagnosis via Teleconsultation
Our experienced doctors can assess the appearance of the sunburn (often with the help of clear images), discuss your symptoms, recent sun exposure history, and pain levels through a secure video consultation. This allows them to determine the severity of the burn (first- or second-degree) and recommend appropriate immediate management and ongoing care.
Treatment Options
- Taking cool baths or showers to soothe the skin.
- Applying moisturizing creams or lotions containing aloe vera or hydrocortisone to help soothe and hydrate the skin. Avoid products with alcohol or petroleum jelly.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
- Avoiding further sun exposure until the sunburn has healed, by staying in the shade or wearing protective clothing.
- Do not pop blisters; allow them to heal naturally to prevent infection.
- For severe cases, prescription-strength creams or oral steroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and pain.
When to Seek Emergency Care
- Large areas of blistering, especially if the blisters appear infected (pus, increasing redness or pain).
- Systemic symptoms such as high fever, chills, severe pain, nausea, severe headache, or dizziness, which could indicate severe sunburn or sun poisoning.
- Signs of infection, such as pus, increasing redness, swelling, or pain spreading beyond the sunburned area.
- Sunburn in infants or young children (under 1 year old) should always be evaluated by a medical professional.
- Eye pain or changes in vision after sun exposure, which could indicate sun damage to the eyes.
Why Choose DocOnTrip?
- Fast and convenient access to medical advice for immediate relief and proper management of acute sunburn.
- Guidance on appropriate wound care, blister management, and pain relief strategies specific to your sunburn severity.
- Digital prescriptions for stronger creams or oral medications if needed, ensuring you get the right treatment quickly.
- Expert advice on effective sun protection strategies for the remainder of your trip, helping to prevent future burns and long-term damage.
FAQ
Can I get sunburn on a cloudy day? Yes, up to 80% of the sun's UV rays can penetrate clouds, so it's still possible to get a sunburn even on an overcast day. Sunscreen and protective clothing are still necessary.
How long does sunburn last? The duration depends on the severity. Mild sunburn (first-degree) usually heals in 3-5 days. More severe sunburn with blistering (second-degree) can take a week or more to heal, and peeling may continue for weeks.
Does sunburn increase cancer risk? Yes, every time you get a sunburn, especially blistering sunburns, you increase your risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Cumulative sun exposure also contributes to risk.