NHS advice for treating sunburn and when to consider seeing a doctor

With the sun and heat of summer now over, some will feel the consequences of the heatwave that Scotland experienced.

After the hottest day of the year, when temperatures reached 25.7C in the north of Scotland, you may have inadvertently sunburned in the scorching weather.

The mini heat wave will have been irresistible, although you may feel the burn. If your skin is hot and sore, it’s time to give your body some soothing treatments for pain and irritation.

Here are some crucial tips you need to know about treating sunburn, when to see a professional doctor, and the importance of keeping your SPF 50 up.

Sunburn treatment

Generally speaking, sunburns tend to resolve on their own and it takes about a week for the skin condition to return to normal.

Even if your sunburn eventually heals, the symptoms in between could be painful and quite aggravating. Relieving the presenting symptoms cannot speed up the healing process, but there are ways to ease the discomfort.

According to advice from NHS Inform Scotland, treatment of inflamed skin from sunburn can be carried out as follows:

• Refresh the skin by patting it with cold water or taking a cold bath or shower. Applying a cold compress such as a cold flannel to the affected area may also help.
• Drink plenty of fluids to cool down and prevent dehydration.
• Take painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve any pain – aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years of age.

When should you consider seeing a doctor

In some circumstances, sunburns can be serious and require medical intervention. Severe sunburns may require specialist burn creams and dressings, which are usually available at most doctor’s surgeries, although hospital treatment may be necessary in some cases.