Symptoms of sunburn

Sunburn symptoms usually appear a few hours after sun exposure, peak around 12 to 24 hours, and then settle over several days. Knowing what is normal helps you spot what is not.

Typical symptoms

• Red, warm, tender skin on exposed areas (darker skin may show less redness but feels hot and tight)
• Pain or stinging, worse with touch, clothing, or warm water
• Swelling of the affected area
• Itching as the burn starts healing
• Small blisters in more serious burns - these signal deeper damage
• Peeling after a few days as damaged skin sheds

Whole-body symptoms with stronger burns

• Headache, mild fever, chills
• Tiredness and dizziness
• Nausea
• Dehydration - thirst, dry mouth, passing less urine

See a doctor if there is

• Blistering over a large area of the body
• High fever, severe pain, or signs of infection in blisters (pus, spreading redness, increasing pain)
• Sunburn in a baby under 1 year - always worth a doctor's call
• Symptoms not improving after several days

Heatstroke - the emergency to rule out

Sun exposure that burns the skin can also overheat the body. Call 112 immediately if someone in the sun develops:

• Confusion, slurred speech, or strange behavior
• Fainting or seizures
• Very hot skin with a high body temperature
• Rapid pulse and rapid breathing

Move them to shade, cool the body with wet cloths and fanning, and give water only if fully conscious while waiting for help.

Ayurvedic view (interpretive): Classical texts describe pitta aggravation from excess sun with burning, redness, and thirst - a recognizable match. The framework is interpretive; the emergency signs above are modern medicine's and should drive action.

Remember: Red, hot, painful skin hours after sun exposure is sunburn and usually heals in days. Large blisters, high fever, a burned baby, or any confusion and fainting mean this is no longer just a sunburn - get medical help.