Itchiness is a common symptom of sunburned skin. This occurs as part of your body’s inflammatory response to the damage your skin sustained from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. There are several ways to relieve itching from a sunburn.
The first step in treating a sunburn is cooling the skin down. Applying a cool compress is a quick and easy method. You can also take a cool shower. However, limit your time in the water to avoid drying your skin. Also, make sure to avoid harsh soaps.
When you have a sunburn, your body draws fluid to your skin’s surface and away from the rest of your body. This can cause dehydration, leading to dry, itchy skin as your water stores are depleted. To keep your skin hydrated and prevent itchiness, make sure to drink plenty of water.
Consider taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. These medications can help ease discomfort and lower inflammation from the sunburn.
Apply a gentle moisturizer after a shower or bath, while your skin is still damp. Look for products that contain aloe vera or soy, which will help soothe your sunburned skin and related itching. You can also try calamine lotion to reduce itching.
Also, use petroleum jelly on any blisters that develop to protect them from damage while your skin heals.
People with eczema sometimes use baking soda to relieve itchiness. It may also be helpful for sunburn. Baking soda has mild anti-inflammatory and pH-balancing abilities, meaning it could help soothe skin.
To use baking soda for sunburn, add 1/4 cup of baking soda to a lukewarm bath. You can also make a paste by mixing three parts baking soda with one part water in a small bowl, and apply the paste to your skin. However, use baking soda sparingly as it can dry skin. Avoid using baking soda on broken skin.
Over-the-counter antihistamines like Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Claritin (loratadine) may help calm your skin and reduce its inflammation. Some of the itching from your sunburn could be caused by the histamine your body produces in response to the UV damage. Talk with a healthcare provider to see if taking an antihistamine might help your condition.
Aloe vera plants contain a gel that can be particularly soothing for sunburned skin. The gel helps moisturize your skin and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help heal damaged skin. Research has found that aloe vera may even help heal first- and second-degree burns.
Oatmeal is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. It may also help reduce itchiness and soothe irritated skin. People with eczema often use oatmeal baths to calm the skin and reduce itchiness, and it may provide the same relief from an itchy sunburn.
To make an oatmeal bath, add a scoop of colloidal oatmeal (finely ground oats) to a tub with lukewarm water. Allow the oats to dissolve, and then soak in the bath for about 10-15 minutes. After, gently pat your skin dry and apply a moisturizer all over.
Once your skin is sunburned, you should avoid the sun until you are healed. This will prevent further skin damage. Plus, deepening your sunburn could cause more significant itching and a deeper burn. If you have to be in the sun because of work or another obligation, cover your skin with loose, cotton clothing and wear sunscreen.
You can try using a cortisone cream to reduce your itching. These steroid creams will reduce inflammation. Creams with added vitamin C or E will also help prevent further skin damage.
You may want to avoid products that contain benzocaine or lidocaine. Some people experience allergies to these medications, and they may make your sunburn worse.
Early research shows high doses of vitamin D3 may help lower skin inflammation after a sunburn. A test-tube study suggests it may also reduce skin redness.
However, more research is needed to understand the effects of vitamin D on sunburn. Make sure to talk to your doctor before taking high doses of vitamin D.
The best way to manage sunburns is to prevent them, especially if you are predisposed to getting them. People with a higher risk of sunburn have an increased risk of getting skin cancer. Also, research shows getting just one blistering sunburn when you are a child or a teen more than doubles your chances of developing melanoma later in life.
A few tips to prevent sunburns include:
- Seek shade when your shadow is shorter than you
- Avoid the sun when the rays are strongest (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.)
- Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more
- Put sunscreen on 15-30 minutes prior to going outside
- Make it a habit to wear sunscreen every day
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours when you are outside
- Use protective clothing, hats, and umbrellas for sun protection
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays and prevent cataracts
A sunburn might not seem like a big deal, but it needs to be watched closely. Some sunburns morph into a deeper burn requiring immediate medical attention. In serious cases, you may need fluid replacement and pain medications.
If your sunburn is getting redder, the itch seems to be getting worse, or the burn covers more than 20% of your body, you should see a healthcare provider. Also, get medical attention if you have a fever, chills, pus, swelling, yellowing skin, or nausea alongside your sunburn.
In extreme cases, itchiness from a sunburn may actually be “hell’s itch,” a severe skin response to sun exposure that’s not a sunburn.
A dermatologist can determine if you have a skin infection or if another issue is causing your discomfort. They can make recommendations or prescribe medications to make you feel more comfortable.
Sunburn can be itchy and painful. To combat itchiness from sun exposure, try using cool compresses, taking ibuprofen, moisturizing your skin, and using aloe vera products.
If your sunburn does not improve after a day or two or worsens, see a healthcare provider. You should also seek care if your sunburn covers more than 20% of your body, is getting redder or turning yellow, and is accompanied by pus, swelling, fever, or chills.
