What home remedies are available?

A light sunburn will disappear by itself after a few days and heals without consequences. Sunburn, which is accompanied by blistering, can also heal completely, but scars are sometimes left behind. If the sunburn is more severe, healing can take several weeks.

In extreme cases a hospital stay may be necessary. In addition, there is also the risk of skin cancer at an advanced age, which increases significantly, especially with frequent or severe sunburn. For this reason, it is important to avoid sunburn and to use sunscreen consistently.

Associated symptoms

In case of sunburn, the skin shows typical symptoms of mild to moderate burning. The first symptom of a sunburn is usually a reddening of the affected skin area. In the face, the cheeks, the bridge of the nose and the ears are particularly often affected.

Here the skin is particularly delicate and therefore most susceptible to sun exposure. On the rest of the body, redness is usually seen in the typical sun-exposed areas, such as the shoulders, neck or upper arms. As it progresses, the burnt areas often become itchy.

A classic symptom is also pain. While very superficial burns can also be painless, pain usually occurs especially with extensive sunburn. The skin then hurts mainly when touched, but it can also hurt at rest.

In addition, there is a typical feeling of tension, which can be felt especially on the shoulders or neck. The tense skin can lead to painful restrictions in movement. In this case, care should be taken not to put on clothing that is too tight and also rubbing, as this can increase the pain and also cause additional irritation.

Especially if no sunscreen has been applied to the face, extensive sunburn on the face can occur. In addition to the typical redness and pain, swelling can also occur. The inflammation in the various layers of the skin also makes the blood vessels more permeable.

Fluid penetrates from the vessels and into the surrounding tissue. The result is a so-called oedema (accumulation of fluid in the tissue). If the swelling is very pronounced or if the affected child is still very young, a visit to the pediatrician is highly recommended.

Depending on how severe the burn caused by the UV radiation is, burn blisters can form in addition to the symptoms already described. First degree burns do not yet show blisters but only a reddening. With a burn degree 2a then for the first time still intact, partly liquid-filled blisters appear.

Grade 2b is then accompanied by opened and additionally weeping blisters. A blister formation indicates a strong burn of the skin and is in any case in need of treatment. Under no circumstances should the blisters be opened at home with a needle or the like, as this can lead to the introduction of germs into the wounds. They must be professionally treated by a pediatrician to prevent infection.