Sunburn

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Definition Symptoms Causes Risk factors When to seek medical advice

Complications Treatments and drugs Prevention Lifestyle and home remedies

Definition

You know sunburn when it happens: red, painful skin that feels hot to the touch. Sunburn usually appears within a few hours after sun exposure and may take from several days to several weeks to fade.

Despite the pain and tenderness, many people might not take steps the next time to avoid sunburn, and they'll face possible skin damage as a result. Intense sun exposure that results in sunburn increases your risk of certain complications and related skin diseases. These include dry, wrinkled skin, liver spots, actinic keratoses and skin cancer.

You can prevent sunburn and the related skin conditions by protecting your skin whenever you're outdoors, even on cloudy days. If you do get sunburn, several home remedies and treatments can relieve your pain and speed the healing of your skin.

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Symptoms