Skin health
When Should I See a Provider for a Sunburn?
How to soothe a sunburn at home, the signs it is more serious, such as blistering, fever or dehydration, and when to get care.
Treating sunburn at home
- Take cool showers or apply cool, damp cloths.
- Use aloe vera or a fragrance-free moisturizer.
- Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Wear loose clothing and stay out of the sun while it heals.
- Leave blisters alone; if they break, keep the area clean and covered.
When to see a provider
- Blisters covering a large area, or on the face, hands or genitals
- Severe pain that pain relievers do not help
- Fever, chills, nausea or headache
- Dizziness, confusion or fainting (possible heat illness)
- Signs of infection: increasing redness, swelling, pus or red streaks
- Any sunburn in an infant
Prevent the next one
- Use broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher, and reapply every two hours and after swimming.
- Seek shade between 10 AM and 4 PM.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and UV-protective clothing.
- Remember cloudy days and reflection from water and sand.
Regular sun protection also lowers skin cancer risk; see our ABCDE self-check.
How we can help
For painful or blistering burns, a video visit lets us assess the skin, recommend treatment and check for heat illness. We also offer skin analysis to look at sun damage and build a protection routine.
Questions people ask
Should I pop sunburn blisters?
No. They protect the healing skin. Let them break on their own and keep the area clean.
How long does sunburn last?
Mild sunburn improves in 3 to 5 days. Severe burns can take a week or more.
Does a base tan protect me?
Not much. A tan is a sign of skin damage and offers only minimal protection.
Talk it through with Lydia
Painful sunburn? We can help you heal and prevent the next one. See a board-certified nurse practitioner virtually anywhere in Virginia, in our Woodbridge office, or straight to your front door in much of Northern Virginia.
Visits start at $85, and every membership comes with a 30-day trial.
Prefer to ask first? Text us at (571) 402-2102 or message us on WhatsApp.
