Protecting Your Skin: How to Treat Sunburn and When to Get Help 

Updated May 2025

As the weather warms up, it is a good time to think about how to protect yourself from sunburn. Sunburns are not just painful. They can lead to serious health problems, including skin cancer, cataracts, and early aging, like wrinkles. At Immediate Care, we want to help you stay safe and healthy this summer. 

How to Prevent Sunburn 

The best way to deal with sunburn is to prevent it. To protect your skin: 

• Wear long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses. 
• Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. 
• Apply sunscreen about 15 minutes before going outside. 
• Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, or after swimming or sweating. 
• Stay in shaded areas between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the strongest. 
• Pay attention to sunscreen expiration dates; once you hit that date, replace it. 
• Don’t forget to sunscreen the most commonly forgotten areas- your ears, neck, tip of your nose, and tops of your hands and feet. 

Protecting your skin is important. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. About 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. UV light from the sun is a major cause of skin cancer. Even one bad sunburn can raise your risk later in life. 

How to Treat Sunburn at Home 

Most sunburns can be treated at home. Try these tips: 

• Make sure you drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration 
• Apply cool compresses to the skin. 
• Use aloe vera gel to soothe the burn. 
• Take Tylenol or ibuprofen for pain relief, following the directions on the label. 
• Do not pop any blisters, as this increases your risk of infection. If a blister breaks, gently wash the area with soap and water, then apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment and a clean nonstick bandage. 
• Protect your skin from further sun exposure until the burn heals. 
• Apply hydrocortisone cream to help with itching and/or inflammation. 
• Wear loose-fitting clothing while the skin heals. 

When to See a Medical Provider 

Some sunburns need medical care. Contact a provider if you have: 

• A fever 
• A bad headache 
• Severe pain 
• Nausea and/or vomiting 
• Large or widespread blisters 
• Dizziness 
• Fatigue 

We are ready to care for you at any of our five convenient Immediate Care locations in Nashua, Hudson, and Pelham, NH or Pepperell, MA. Check Immediate Care walk-in wait times at any of our locations before coming in.  

Or skip the trip to our office and use Virtual Immediate Care. Getting care has never been easier. To schedule a virtual visit, call 603-577-CARE or visit our website. We are available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

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 Courtney Lord, APRN-FNP is in practice at Immediate Care of Pepperell, MA.