Sunburn

Home treatment measures may provide some relief from a mild sunburn.

• Use cool cloths on sunburned areas.
• Take frequent cool showers or baths.
• Apply soothing lotions that contain aloe vera to sunburned areas. Topical steroids (such as Reference 1% hydrocortisone cream) may also help with sunburn pain and swelling. Note: Do not use the cream on children younger than age 2 unless your doctor tells you to. Do not use in the rectal or vaginal area in children younger than age 12 unless your doctor tells you to.

A sunburn can cause a mild fever and a headache. Lie down in a cool, quiet room to relieve the headache. A headache may be caused by Reference dehydration Opens New Window, so drinking fluids may help. For more information, see the topic Reference Dehydration.

There is little you can do to stop skin from peeling after a sunburn—it is part of the healing process. Lotion may help relieve the itching.

Reference Other home treatment measures, such as chamomile, may help relieve your sunburn symptoms.

Care of blisters

Home treatment may help decrease pain, prevent infection, and help the skin heal.

• A small, unbroken blister about the size of a pea, even a blood blister, will usually heal on its own. Use a loose bandage to protect it. Avoid the activity that caused the blister.
• If a small blister is on a weight-bearing area like the bottom of the foot, protect it with a Reference doughnut-shaped moleskin pad Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window. Leave the area over the blister open.
• If a blister is large and painful, it may be best to drain it. Here is a safe method:
  • Wipe a needle or straight pin with rubbing alcohol.
  • Gently puncture the edge of the blister.
  • Press the fluid in the blister toward the hole so it can drain out.
  • If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you do not want to drain a blister because of the risk of infection.
• After you have opened a blister, or if it has torn open:
  • Wash the area with soap and water. Do not use alcohol, iodine, or any other cleanser.
  • Don't remove the flap of skin over a blister unless it's very dirty or torn or there is pus under it. Gently smooth the flap over the tender skin.
  • Apply an antibiotic ointment and a clean bandage. If the skin under the bandage begins to itch or a rash develops, stop using the ointment. The ointment may be causing a skin reaction.
  • Change the bandage once a day or anytime it gets wet or dirty. Remove it at night to let the area dry.

Watch for a skin infection while your blister is healing. Signs of infection include:

• Increased pain, swelling, redness, or warmth around the blister.
• Red streaks extending away from the blister.
• Drainage of pus from the blister.
• Fever.

Symptoms to watch for during home treatment

Reference Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:

• Vision problems continue after you get out of the sun.
• Fever develops.
• Dehydration develops and you are unable to drink enough to replace lost fluids.
• Signs of Reference skin infection Opens New Window in blisters develop.
• Signs of an Reference allergic reaction develop.
• Symptoms become more severe or more frequent.

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.