Sunburns may not show up for 6 hours to two days after exposure to the sun.

A sunburn will manifest with red skin that may be swollen, sometimes low-grade fever and skin peeling will follow a sunburn in about 3- 8 days.

Long-term risk of sunburn occurs after years of exposure or sometimes even one bad sunburn. One case of blistering sunburn significantly increases the risk of the worst type of skin cancer – malignant melanoma.

Chronic exposure to sun also increases the risk of skin cancer as well as premature aging of the skin, such as age spots. Long-term exposure is linked to the two less deadly forms of skin cancer – basal cell carcinoma and sqaumous cell carcinoma. Chronic sun exposure also increases the risk of cataracts.

1. Avoid the sun. This can be done by staying indoors (especially during peak hours of 11-3 in the morning/afternoon). When going outside it is important to wear clothes that will protect the skin. Long-sleeve shirts and pants along with a wide brimmed hat will protect the skin. In addition, wearing sunglasses can help protect the eyes from the sun.
2. Use sunscreen on exposed areas. For those individuals who do not want to wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants when out in the sun, the use of sunscreen may be helpful. There is no such thing as a safe tan. See the table for the best sunscreens.

• Buy a sunscreen that is very water resistant or waterproof and with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
• Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going in the sun to allow it be fully absorbed. Reapply after 2 hours, after swimming or sweating heavily.
• Sunscreens can stain clothes, so be careful.
• Throw away sunscreen that is more than two-years-old.

• Fever with sunburn
• Fluid-filled blisters
• Vision problems
• Dizziness
• Any indication of dehydration

• Use cool water to ease the discomfort. This can be done in the form of a bath or shower or putting a cool washcloth on the burn.
• Do not break blisters. Apply dry bandages to blisters loosely if the are rubbing up against clothes, otherwise just leave them open.
• When the blister breaks apply an antibiotic ointment such as bacitracin and put a bandage over the blister. Change the bandage every day.
• Use a lotion to soothe the sunburned skin such as aloe vera
• When there is pain and swelling the use of 1% hydrocortisone cream may be helpful
• Do not use topical products that contain petroleum, benzocaine or lidocaine
• A moisturizing cream can be soothing to skin without blisters
• Pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be helpful
• Monitor for any indication of infection (increased redness, pain, warmth)