What this protocol covers
Burnt skin after a day in the sun: what soothes it, what is not done with blisters, and when the burn comes with heatstroke.
1. What to ask
- Which area is burnt and how much of it? Are there blisters?
- Do they have a fever, chills, headache, nausea, or feel dizzy or confused?
- How old are they?
- Do they take a medicine that makes the skin more sensitive to the sun (some antibiotics, diuretics, antiarrhythmics, retinoids, anti-inflammatory gels)?
- Have they drunk enough water?
2. Refer if any of these appear
- Fever, chills, confusion, marked dizziness or vomiting: it may be heatstroke. Emergency department if there is confusion.
- Blisters over a large area, or a lot of pain.
- A baby or young child with sunburn.
- Signs of infection in the following days: pus, heat, spreading redness.
3. If there are no red flags
Mild sunburn
- Cool water or cold compresses (no ice directly on the skin).
- A fragrance-free moisturiser or aloe gel, several times a day.
- Drinking more water than usual.
If it hurts
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen at usual doses.
Small blisters
- Do not burst them; if they break, wash and cover with a dressing.
4. Adjust to who will take it
- Children
- Under 1 year with sunburn: see the doctor. In children, watch hydration especially closely.
- Pregnancy
- Cool water and moisturiser; for pain, paracetamol. NSAIDs are avoided from week 20.
- Long-term conditions
- With photosensitising medicines, the burn can be more severe: warn them and review protection for the coming days.
- Older people
- Higher risk of dehydration and heatstroke: they should drink and rest in the shade.
What not to recommend
- Local anaesthetic creams (benzocaine) over large areas: they can sensitise the skin.
- Home remedies such as toothpaste, oil or vinegar.
- Going back into the sun before the skin has healed.
What to say at the counter. Cool water, this cream several times a day and plenty to drink. No sun until it heals, and if you have a fever, feel dizzy or vomit, see a doctor: that is no longer just the skin.
Pharmacy Pills · conveniodefarmacia.com
Patient sheet: sunburn
To print and hand over. It carries only what the patient needs at home.
- Apply cool water or cold compresses and a fragrance-free moisturiser.
- Drink water often.
- Do not burst blisters.
- Stay out of the sun until the skin heals, and use protection afterwards.
- Get urgent help if you have a fever, chills, dizziness, vomiting or feel confused.
Self-assessment
Three questions. When you check your answers you will see the explanation for each one.
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Confusion with fever after sun exposure points to heatstroke, which is an emergency.
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The blister protects the skin underneath; bursting it raises the risk of infection.
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Topical local anaesthetics over large areas can sensitise the skin.
Training content. It does not replace the summary of product characteristics or clinical judgement.