Here’s Exactly How to Treat a Bad Sunburn (and When to See a Doctor)

When you get a bad sunburn, you almost feel betrayed. By yourself, if you didn’t prevent said sunburn with the appropriate 30+ SPF and sunglasses, but also, by the sun. Even if you do your best to combat those harmful rays, sometimes those UVA and UVBs get through and damage your precious epidermis.

Protecting your skin from the sun with the right sunscreen and protective clothing is essential. Once you’ve come to terms with the fact that your skin is burnt, it’s time to do some damage control, because hey, your skin is fried, and it hurts. If you’re still out in the sun and your skin is sizzling, first things first, get out of the sun. In this video, learn more tips for what to do next.

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Written by:

Brittany Doohan

Brittany Doohan was the Content Director at HealthiNation and is currently the Editorial Director at Medscape. Through her work with Medscape, she won a Silver Telly Award in May 2022 for "Sleepless Nation: A Public Health Epidemic — Episode 2: A Decade Without a Diagnosis." She has worked in health journalism and video production for more than 8 years, and loves the challenge of explaining complex topics in an easy-to-understand and creative way.

Reviewed by:

Brian Clista, MD

Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

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