Sunburns are readily noticeable by their visible signs [7]. These signs include erythema which usually occurs within two to six hours after overexposure. The pain is often so intense that even a thin layer of clothing touching the skin can cause pain. It may also seem like the skin is stiff and can make moving painful or difficult.

A sunburn can also cause a fever, chills, general malaise, and even nausea, vomiting and syncope if the case is more severe. Severe cases may also create blisters which may become infected in rare cases. 

The erythema usually resolves within a few days after exposure, but scaling and desquamation may occur.

• Pain

  Examples of home remedies for sunburn pain relief include: applying damp cloths or compresses to reduce the pain, soaking in slightly warm with no soap, gently patting the skin dry, applying soothing creams or lotions, using OTC pain relievers for pain [medicinenet.com]

  Sunburn blisters are uncomfortable and can even be extremely painful and itchy. Sometimes these blisters lead to skin infections that can cause more pain, swelling and a fever. [top10homeremedies.com]

  The pain is often so intense that even a thin layer of clothing touching the skin can cause pain. It may also seem like the skin is stiff and can make moving painful or difficult. [symptoma.com]

  […] with aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen to relieve pain and headache and reduce fever. [cdc.gov]

• Swelling

  Taking pain medication, like over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce pain, swelling and redness associated with sunburn. Take every four hours, or as directed on the medication's label. [livestrong.com]

  Signs and Symptoms Mild: skin redness and warmth pain itchiness Severe: skin redness and blistering pain and tingling swelling headache nausea fever and chills dizziness What to Do Have your child get out of the sun right away. [kidshealth.org]

  The cold temps constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling. Get some meds. Pop an aspirin, ibuprofen or another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication to ease pain and reduce swelling. A hydrocortisone cream can help take the edge off, too. [henryford.com]

• Fever

  […] with aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen to relieve pain and headache and reduce fever. [cdc.gov]

  If sunburn accompanies other symptoms, like a fever, consult a doctor. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. [livestrong.com]

  With a moderate fever: You feel warm or hot. You know you have a fever. With a mild fever: You may feel a little warm. You think you might have a fever, but you're not sure. [uofmhealth.org]

  Signs and Symptoms Mild: skin redness and warmth pain itchiness Severe: skin redness and blistering pain and tingling swelling headache nausea fever and chills dizziness What to Do Have your child get out of the sun right away. [kidshealth.org]

• Inflammation

  This can help stop inflammation and redness from getting any worse and ease pain. [foxnews.com]

  Not taking anti-inflammatories right away goir/Shutterstock Your body’s response to being sunburnt is inflammation, and it’s important that you take something to reduce that inflammation the minute you see signs of sunburn. [rd.com]

  Cool Compress To reduce inflammation and pain associated with sunburn, you can apply cold compresses on the affected area. Cold compresses cause the tiny blood vessels to constrict, which in turn will reduce inflammation. [top10homeremedies.com]

  The mice got fewer sunburns—suggesting that the receptor is responsible for activating inflammation in the body. Inflammation May Actually Help Inflammation can be beneficial for several reasons, Gallo noted. [nationalgeographic.com]

• Chills

  Signs and Symptoms Mild: skin redness and warmth pain itchiness Severe: skin redness and blistering pain and tingling swelling headache nausea fever and chills dizziness What to Do Have your child get out of the sun right away. [kidshealth.org]

  In severe cases it may cause blistering, fever, chills, headache, and a general feeling of illness. Your child doesn’t actually have to be burned, however, in order to be harmed by the sun. [healthychildren.org]

  It will add moisture back into your skin and prevent peeling. * If you have a fever or chills, you might have sun poisoning. [youtube.com]

• Nausea

  Symptoms may include: Red, warm, and tender skin Swollen skin Blistering Headache Fever Nausea Fatigue The pain from sunburn is worse 6-48 hours after sun exposure. Skin peeling usually begins 3-8 days after exposure. [cdc.gov]

  […] areas several days after the sunburn Possible symptoms of heat illness include: dizziness or fainting nausea or vomiting headache rapid breathing and heartbeat extreme thirst (dry mouth or sticky saliva) decreased urination with unusually dark yellow [canada.ca]

  Sunstroke/dehydration symptoms Nausea. Headache. Muscle cramps. Weakness and fatigue Chills. Treatment Inflammation and swelling from sunburn is at it’s worst after a couple of days and you can reduce the severity of the burn. [capitalchemist.com.au]

• Diarrhea

  These symptoms include loss of appetite, fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and possibly even seizures and coma. This seriously ill stage may last from a few hours up to several months. [cdc.gov]

• Cheilitis

  Lips[edit] The lips can become chapped (cheilitis) by sun exposure. Sunscreen on the lips does not have a pleasant taste and might be removed by saliva. Some lip balms (ChapSticks) have SPF ratings and contain sunscreens. [en.wikipedia.org]

• Blister

  Broken blisters generally heal on their own, but topical antibiotic ointments should be applied to the area of broken blisters to prevent infections. [medicinenet.com]

  Sometimes these blisters lead to skin infections that can cause more pain, swelling and a fever. Sunburn blisters often can be treated with some simple and easy home remedies. [top10homeremedies.com]

  If blistering occurs: Lightly bandage or cover the area with gauze to prevent infection. The blisters should not be broken, as this will slow the healing process and increase the risk of infection. [cdc.gov]

  There may be blisters. Capillary refill is absent. Full thickness: dry and white, brown, or black in colour, with no blisters, no pain and no capillary refill. [patient.info]

  Step Six – Let your skin repair itself You should never scratch, scrub, pick or peel your skin or breaking blisters. The skin of the blisters is protecting the underlying damaged skin, so do not pop them. [skincancer.asn.au]

• Photosensitivity

  This reaction is distinct from true photosensitivity. Photosensitivity is listed in the drug brochure for methotrexate. However, a review of the literature does not support true photosensitivity associated with methotrexate. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  (NOS), Photosensitivity toxic reaction, Photosensitized, Dermatitis, Phototoxic [Disease/Finding], photosensitivity reaction, photosensitizing, phototoxic dermatitis, phototoxicity, photosensitivity reactions, phototoxic reaction, photosensitivity rash [fpnotebook.com]

  SKIN REACTIONS TO SUNLIGHT ICD-10: L56.8 The term photosensitivity describes an abnormal response to sunlight. Cutaneous photosensitivity reactions require absorption of photon energy by molecules in the skin. [accessmedicine.mhmedical.com]

  Photosensitivity - for example, systemic lupus erythematosus, porphyria; drugs such as tetracyclines and many others. [patient.info]

• Dry Skin

  As well, the FDA says it lacks data to prove that sprays provide the necessary thick, even skin coverage on dry skin, let alone a wet kid." Until there is more research on the matter, EWG recommends using sunscreen lotion for optimal protection. [cbsnews.com]

  Groups more at risk of developing heatstroke are: children under two very elderly people people with kidney, heart or circulation problems people with diabetes Signs of heatstroke include dry skin, vertigo, confusion, headache, thirst, nausea, rapid shallow [sheffieldccg.nhs.uk]

  Down the line, sunburns can lead to dry skin and pronounced lines and wrinkles. [nypost.com]

  And once you’ve done that, all you have to do is apply it to the sun damaged areas on your skin. 9. Moisturize your skin with lotion. When you are sunburnt, it practically means that your skin is dehydrated which ultimately results in dry skin. [sunburntreatmenthq.com]

  Oatmeal is proven to relieve itchy dry skin and reduce inflammation as burns heal ( 2, 3 ). Enjoy its healing effects by blending dry oats in a blender or food processor until its finely ground and smooth. [draxe.com]

• Skin Rash

  A patient with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, responded to, and tolerated (including no skin rash) an initial cycle of liposomal doxorubicin (40 mg/m(2)). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Cornstarch This pantry staple is a traditional remedy for all types of skin rashes, including diaper rash in babies. You can use it as such or as a paste or solution. [naturallivingideas.com]

  Symptoms of PMLE are a mild to severe skin rash, usually appearing within 30 minutes to several hours of sun exposure. [emedicinehealth.com]

  Other symptoms can include blistering, swelling (edema), pruritus (itching), peeling skin, rash, nausea, fever, chills, and fainting (syncope). [en.wikipedia.org]

• Pruritus

  […] without skin lesions (Pruritus sine materia). [worldcat.org]

  Other symptoms can include blistering, swelling (edema), pruritus (itching), peeling skin, rash, nausea, fever, chills, and fainting (syncope). [en.wikipedia.org]

• Red Nose

  Rex How to cover up a burnt nose... The key to covering an awkward red nose is colour correction. Apply a green colour corrector on any redness before applying concealer. It'll neutralise any warm tones and create a better base for your concealer. [elle.com]

• Dizziness

  You should also see a doctor if you are experiencing headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or severe pain. [skincancer.asn.au]

  […] sunburnt skin You can ask a pharmacist: about the best sunburn treatments if you need to see a GP See a GP urgently or call NHS 111 if: your skin is blistered or swollen your temperature is very high, or you feel hot and shivery you feel very tired, dizzy [nhs.uk]

• Burning Sensation

  It will absorb the heat from the skin and relieve the burning sensation. You can also spray vinegar directly on the affected area to ease the pain. [top10homeremedies.com]

  A low-dose (0.5%-1%) hydrocortisone cream, which is sold over the counter, may be helpful in reducing the burning sensation and swelling and speeding up healing. [cdc.gov]

  Symptoms of a sunburn can include redness and a burning sensation. Severe sunburns can cause headaches, nausea, fever and chills, as well as redness and a burning sensation. Ibuprofen may help reduce these symptoms, as well as any swelling. [besthealthmag.ca]

  Tea Tea freshly brewed from tea leaves and cooled to room temperature and below can soothe skin and take away the burning sensation. [naturallivingideas.com]

  And then take a shower When you do get indoors, take a cool shower or bath to start easing the burning sensation. “Cool water also decreases excess blood flow to the skin, which will help reduce inflammation and redness,” Dr. Reddy says. [menshealth.com]

• Vertigo

  Groups more at risk of developing heatstroke are: children under two very elderly people people with kidney, heart or circulation problems people with diabetes Signs of heatstroke include dry skin, vertigo, confusion, headache, thirst, nausea, rapid shallow [sheffieldccg.nhs.uk]

For uncomplicated cases, laboratory studies and imagine studies are not needed as symptoms are visible to the eyes [8].
When diagnosis is in doubt though, skin biopsy may be useful in order to exclude other diseases in the differential diagnosis.

Sunburn treatment doesn’t heal the skin or prevent damage to the skin rather it is focused on the reduction of pain, discomfort and swelling [9]. When the condition doesn’t resolve on its own, the following may be prescribed:

• • Over the counter prescription pain relievers help control pain and swelling associated with sunburn especially when taken immediately after exposure to sun. The most common types are ibuprofen or naproxen. Some types of pain relievers may also be applied to the skin as gels. 
• • Corticosteroids may be prescribed as control for itching. They are often used in combination with pain relievers.

Normal cases of sunburn rarely develop beyond short-term cause for concern. This is because most of the cases will resolve spontaneously without any further complications [6]. In extremely rare cases however, dehydration, infection and second degree burns may arise. 

The main cause of sunburn is too much exposure to ultraviolet light which can occur when the individual stays for too long under sunlamps, tanning beds or direct sunlight [2]. 

In the United States, thousands of adults and children develop sunburns each year [3].

People living in close to the equator and in higher altitude regions are the people most at risk of sunburn.

When the skin is exposed to the sun long enough, the individual not only enjoys radiant warmth but also vitamin D is synthesised. However, when the skin is left open to sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet rays for far too long, sunburn arises. Another common problem that sets in following excessive exposure is solar erythema.

Injury that arises as a result of excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays happen because the DNA gets damaged by ultraviolet light. When the DNA gets damaged, inflammation and apoptosis of the skin cell sets in. 

The characteristic erythema that is seen with sunburn is because the inflammation that follows sunburn often leads to a vasodilation of the cutaneous blood vessels. 

It only takes 2 hours for damage to the epidernal skin cells to be seen following excessive UV exposure. 

Below are some measures to prevent sunburn at any point in time. However, it is very important to be careful around bodies that reflect the sun’s rays such as water, snow, ice and sand. Additionally, UV light is often more intense when around high altitudes [10].

• • Avoid extensive exposure to the sun during peak hours by seeking shade when possible.
• • Tightly woven clothing that covers the arm and legs are good at providing sun protection.
• • Hats with broad brims are important as they protect the scalp and face. 
• • Broad spectrum sunscreen of 15 or more should be used frequently and generously irrespective of skin type. 
• • Sunscreen must be reapplied every 2 hours and must be used first before using any insect repellents.
• • Sunscreen can only be used on babies 6 months old and above. For younger babies, it is advisable to use other forms of sun protection like seeking shade. 
• • Glasses must be worn when outdoors. 
• • Base tan doesn’t prevent sunburn. No research supports this so it must not be used as method of prevention against sunburn. 

Sunburn is the condition that arises when the skin is exposed too much to the sun or other sources of ultraviolet radiations such as arc lamps, tanning beds, etc. Sunburn is an inflammatory reaction and clinically, it is regarded as superficial or first degreee burns [1].

Sunburn happens when your skin becomes red, painful and hot when touched as a result of staying too long under ultraviolet light from the sun, sunlamps or tan beds. Sunburn often clears off on its own but may take several days.

Consistent sunburn increases the risk of your skin getting damaged and becoming vulnerable to a lot of skin diseases such as wrinkled skin, dark spots, rough spots and some type of skin cancers like melanoma.

Sunburn can however, be prevented by adequate protection of the skin when outdoors. Sunburn treatments are often easy and straightforward, not requiring much intervention from medical personnel.

1. Kochevar IE, Taylor CR. Photophysics, photochemistry and photobiology. In: Freedberg IM, ed. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2003:1267-1275.
2. Walker SL, Hawk JL, Young AR. Acute effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin. In: Freedberg IM, ed. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2003:1275-1282.
3. Matsumura Y, Ananthaswamy HN. Toxic effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. Mar 15 2004;195(3):298-308.
4. Walsh LJ. Ultraviolet B irradiation of skin induces mast cell degranulation and release of tumour necrosis factor-alpha. Immunol Cell Biol. Jun 1995;73(3):226-33. 
5. Terui T, Takahashi K, Funayama M, Terunuma A, Ozawa M, Sasai S, et al. Occurrence of neutrophils and activated Th1 cells in UVB-induced erythema. Acta Derm Venereol. Jan-Feb 2001;81(1):8-13. 
6. Young AR. Acute effects of UVR on human eyes and skin. Prog Biophys Mol Biol 2006; 92:80.
7. Young AR, Chadwick CA, Harrison GI, et al. The similarity of action spectra for thymine dimers in human epidermis and erythema suggests that DNA is the chromophore for erythema. J Invest Dermatol 1998; 111:982.
8. Chang YM, Barrett JH, Bishop DT, et al. Sun exposure and melanoma risk at different latitudes: a pooled analysis of 5700 cases and 7216 controls. Int J Epidemiol 2009; 38:814.
9. Dennis LK, Vanbeek MJ, Beane Freeman LE, et al. Sunburns and risk of cutaneous melanoma: does age matter? A comprehensive meta-analysis. Ann Epidemiol 2008; 18:614.
10. Warthan MM, Sewell DS, Marlow RA, et al. The economic impact of acute sunburn. Arch Dermatol 2003; 139:1003.