• Healthy State
  • Careers
  • Education
  • Research
  • Giving
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search magnifying glass icon
Close Search X icon
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Sunburned woman Getty

Top Tips for Treating Sunburn

Jun 27, 2019 |
By Julie Mermilliod, MD
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

Spending a lot of time outside this summer? Sunburns can cause long-term skin damage and increase a person’s risk for developing skin cancer. You should always apply sunscreen and wear sun protective clothing, but if you do still manage to get burned, there are a few things you can do to help relieve pain and discomfort:

  • Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen to help reduce any swelling or discomfort.
  • Apply a moisturizer or gel with aloe vera to help soothe the affected area. (Bonus tip: store the aloe vera in the refrigerator to make it even more cooling when applied to skin!)
  • Take a cool bath or shower or apply cold compresses to help cool the skin.
  • Drink plenty of water to help prevent dehydration.
  • If your sunburned skin forms blisters, allow them to heal on their own. Blisters protect you from infection, so don’t pop them!
  • Applying a hydrocortisone cream may help ease pain in more severe sunburns.
  • Protect your skin from further damage by staying out of the sun or wearing protective clothing. It’s very important to avoid all sun exposure to sunburned skin.

Most sunburns will heal on their own in a few days, but you may see your doctor if your burn is especially severe. Signs of a severe sunburn include fever, chills and a large body surface area affected. To schedule an appointment with an Ochsner dermatologist, click here or call 1-866-624-7637.

Tags
sunburn
Summer
aloe
sun protection

You may also be interested in:

Sun protection outdoor sports
Health Trends
August 5, 2022

Fast Facts About Sun Protection

While spending time in the sunshine and fresh air can be good for your health, it’s important to take a couple of precautions before heading outside.
By Philip Denoux, MD
The Abcs Of Spf Header
Prevention & Wellness
August 9, 2022

The ABCs of SPF: What Does Your Sunscreen Label Mean?

Learn the ABCs of SPF to choose the best sunscreen for your skin type.
By Lauren Thomassie, MD
Thinkstockphotos 494430695 Infantsunscreen
Prevention & Wellness
August 9, 2022

Coverage is Key with Infants and Sunscreen

During the summer, it is hard to resist the allure of the sun. However, all new parents and caretakers should be aware of the potential dangers of exposing babies six months and younger to direct sunshine - including dehydration and sunburn.
By Megan Hartman, MD

email envelop icon Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok Twitter Follow Ochsner Health on Twitter LinkedIn Visit Ochsner Health's LinkedIn page Instagram Follow Ochsner Health on Instagram YouTube Subscribe to Ochsner Health on YouTube Pinterest Follow Ochsner Health on Pinterest TikTok Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok

Healthy living tips newsletters, delivered to your inbox.

Sign Up

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Healthy State
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

newsletter icon

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

newsletter icon

Select the newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition
newsletter icon

Let us know where to send your newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:
To Your Health-Mental Health Monthly":
To Your Health- Skin Deep:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:
newsletter icon

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox.

Ochsner Health System
magnifying glass icon
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide