How to treat sunburn if you've been caught out in hot weather

Mancunians have basked in summer sun this weekend, with temperatures set to hit 30°C on Sunday afternoon.

That’s led to hundreds to flock to beaches, parks, and beer gardens to soak up the rays — with others choosing to get their UV-fix at home instead, Hull Live reports.

Wherever you find yourself enjoying the hot weather, it’s important to remember to apply SPF to stop your skin becoming damaged under the sun.

READ MORE: 10 of the best places to enjoy a reservoir walk in the sunshine

However, we can all be guilty of missing a spot of skin with here or there, risked not reapplying sunscreen because it wasn’t that sunny, or forgot it entirely.

That can lead, as we know, to sunburn — red, hot and sore skin caused by too much sun, which may flake and peel after a few days. It should get better within seven days, the NHS explains.

But you should seek medical help if you feel unwell or the skin swells badly or blisters.

Prevention is always best when it comes to avoiding long term skin damage. Medical professionals say we all should only spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest. In the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October, and use at least factor 30 sunscreen.

If you’ve been caught out by sunny weather and you’re suffering as a result, here are some ways to help relieve sunburn.

1. Get out of the sun

For starters, seek shade as soon as you realise you’re burnt – chucking on more sunblock won’t reverse it, however much you wish it could. Burnt skin is not going to appreciate any further sunshine so, if you’re outside, relocate under a tree, or move indoors.

2. Wear cool, loose clothing

Cover up in closely-woven items to ward off any further burn, and opt for cool, loosely fitting clothes, ideally a size too big, to avoid aggravating your sore skin. It's important to cover sunburnt skin from direct sunlight until skin has fully healed, the NHS say.

3. Stay hydrated

In hot weather, staying hydrated is always vital, and even more so if you’re sunburnt. Drinking lots of water will help you cool down, and should help prevent the onset of dehydration.

4. Take pain relief

You might feel silly for ending up in this position, but there’s no need to martyr through; taking painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol to take the edge off any discomfort is medically recommended.

5. Have a cool bath or shower

Slide into a bath full of cool water, or turn the shower to cold to alleviate the burning sensation and bring your temperature down.

6. Use a damp compress

You can’t lay in a cool bath forever (this in itself can dry your skin out further), so try wearing a cool, damp t-shirt, or applying a cold compress – a tea towel dunked in cold water then draped over your back works a treat if your shoulders caught the sun.

Some people also swear by cold, damp tea bags placed on the skin. Just don’t put ice or ice packs on sunburnt skin – it can damage it, and cause more pain.

7. Apply aftersun

Your local pharmacy should have a good selection of aftersun lotions available, designed to cool, soothe and help sunburnt skin begin to heal (although the cell damage is already done). Ones packed with cooling aloe vera are particularly calming.

You should contact your GP if…

Your skin has blistered or become swollen, you have a very high temperature, you’re concerned you have heat stroke or heat exhaustion, or if you have a child or baby with sunburn.

The NHS has advice for how to avoid sunburn in the future.

Who should take extra care in the sun?

You should take extra care in the sun if you:

• have pale, white or light brown skin

• have freckles or red or fair hair

• tend to burn rather than tan

• have many moles

• have skin problems relating to a medical condition

• are only exposed to intense sun occasionally (for example, while on holiday)

• are in a hot country where the sun is particularly intense

• have a family history of skin cancer

People who spend a lot of time in the sun, whether it's for work or play, are at increased risk of skin cancer if they do not take the right precautions.

People with naturally brown or black skin are less likely to get skin cancer, as darker skin has some protection against UV rays. But skin cancer can still occur.

The Cancer Research UK website has a tool where you can find out your skin type to see when you might be at risk of burning.

Swimming and sunscreen

Water washes sunscreen off, and the cooling effect of the water can make you think you're not getting burned. Water also reflects ultraviolet (UV) rays, increasing your exposure.

Use water-resistant sunscreen if it's likely you'll sweat or have contact with water.

Sunscreen should be reapplied straight after you have been in water, even if it's "water resistant", and after towel drying, sweating or when it may have rubbed off.

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