Sunburn symptoms peak 24 hours later – 7 ways to relieve pain and speed up the healing process the next day
AS temperatures soared to a sweltering 33C, stir crazy Brits flocked to outdoors to make the most of the sunshine yesterday.
But with UV levels at their highest ever, heading out without protection may have put people at serious risk of sunburn.
While you might notice some pain or redness a few hours after being in the sun, symptoms tend to peak up to 24 hours later.
So, there may be a few people who crowded onto beaches or flocked to their local park that are feeling the burn today.
And it's not just the short-term discomfort to be concerned about - it only takes one bad sunburn to cause long lasting damage and increase your risk of skin cancer.
Prevention better than cure
Experts say that when it comes to looking after your skin prevention is always better than cure, so you should always slather on the SPF before going out - even on a cloudy day.
But sometimes it is easy to get caught out, despite being careful.
Dr Anjali Mahto, a Harley Street consultant dermatologist and author of the Skincare Bible, said: "The weather has been gloriously hot this week and a wonderful distraction from the persisting threat of coronavirus.
"But sunshine brings with it the threat of sunburn and it is important to have the necessary tools at hand to know how best to manage this."
Sun damage
Writing in a post on , where she has 72k followers, she explained: "Sunburn is an acute inflammatory reaction which follows over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
"It causes direct damage to DNA resulting in inflammation and death of skin cells.
"Repeated sunburn can increase your lifetime risk of developing skin cancer in later life and the risk should be taken seriously.
"Signs and symptoms usually develop 2-6 hours after sun exposure and peak at about 12-24 hours.
"Your skin may become hot, red, tender and blisters can form.
"In severe cases, it is possible to develop dehydration, imbalances of the important salts in your blood, and skin infection. In rare cases, it can potentially be fatal."
Here Dr Anjali shares her top tips for relieving discomfort from sunburn and aiding the healing process...
1. Act quickly
The first and most important step you should take the instant you feel like you are burning is to get out of the sun, Dr Anjali says.
She adds: "Cover up the affected areas and stay in the shade until your sunburn has healed.
"Wear loose cotton clothing that allows your skin to 'breathe' over the sunburnt areas."
2. Take over the counter pain relief
These can help reduce both pain and inflammation causes by sunburn, she says.
"Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are ideal - provided you are safe to take this type of drug - and should be continued for a period of at least 48 hours," Dr Anjali adds.
"Paracetamol can help with pain but will have little effect on inflammation."
3. Cool the skin
Next, she says you can apply a cool compress, such as a towel dampened with cool water, for 15 minutes.
Or take a cool bath or shower.
She adds: "Aim to keep the temperature just below lukewarm.
"Make sure the shower has a gentle flow of water rather than being on full power.
"If blisters are starting to develop, then a bath is preferable.
"Do not rub your skin with a towel, but gently pat it dry when you get out."
4. Moisturise
Once you're out of the bath or shower it's really important to soothe your damaged skin with a fragrance-free cream or lotion.
"Repeated applications of this are necessary to reduce the appearance of peeling and may need to be continued for some weeks," Dr Anjali says.
"Aloe vera or soy containing gels or lotions can be helpful - aloe vera not only has a cooling effect on the skin but also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
";Be wary of creams containing ingredients such as petrolatum, benzocaine or lidocaine which may trap heat in the skin or cause local irritation."
5. Stay hydrated
Sunburn can encourage fluid loss through the skin, according to Dr Anjali.
So, drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and ideally avoid alcohol which may make it worse due to its diuretic effect.
6. Use a mild steroid cream
You could try applying a mild steroid cream, such as a 0.5-1% hydrocortisone - but this isn't recommended for children, she says.
These can be bought in most high street chemists, but you can ask your pharmacist if you're unsure.
Dr Anjali says: "Use a mild steroid cream eg 0.5-1% hydrocortisone for 48 hours which can help decrease pain and swelling caused by sunburn and speed up the healing process."
7. Leave blisters alone
They may be unsightly and the urge to pop them is intense - but don't, Dr Anjali warns.
"Try not to pop them as this can lead to infection and scarring. They will usually settle by themselves in a few days," she says.
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"Severe cases of sunburn require emergency medical treatment.
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"If you develop blisters that affect up to 20% of your body surface area or other symptoms such as fever, nausea, chills, severe pain, headache, fainting or dizziness it is vital you seek medical attention.
"Severe sunburn can be associated with heat exhaustion or heat stroke which are life-threatening."