Sunburn aftercare, and when it needs more than cream
Most sunburn is managed with cooling, fluids and time. Blistering sunburn is a partial-thickness burn.
Sunburn is a genuine thermal injury with a delayed peak — it usually looks and feels worst 12 to 24 hours after the exposure.
What helps
- Cool baths or cool damp cloths, repeated.
- Plenty of fluids. Sunburn draws fluid to the skin surface and dehydrates you.
- Simple pain relief, if suitable for you.
- Unperfumed moisturiser once the skin has cooled.
- Loose clothing, and staying out of the sun entirely until it settles.
What does not help
Ice, oil-based products, and picking at peeling skin.
Get advice if
- Large areas blister.
- There is fever, chills, dizziness or confusion — possible heat illness.
- It is a baby or young child.
- Broken skin shows signs of infection.
If blisters break
Cover with a non-adherent dressing so the raw surface does not stick to the pad, and keep it clean.
See a pharmacist, GP or urgent care if a wound will not stop bleeding after ten minutes of firm pressure, is deep or gaping, was caused by something dirty or rusty, contains anything you cannot flush out, or shows spreading redness, heat, swelling, pus or a fever. Get help urgently for animal or human bites, wounds over a joint, and any wound in someone with diabetes or poor circulation.
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FitMedix products are CE-marked medical devices intended for the care of minor wounds. This site does not provide medical advice — seek professional help for deep, dirty or non-healing wounds, or if signs of infection appear. Always read the instructions on the pack.