What to do in case of sunburn?

There are three different degrees of severity of sunburn:
In the case of mild sunburn with severity 1, the skin is irritated and reddened. The affected areas are slightly warm. There may also be a slight burning sensation and itching. However, the skin regenerates after around three days. Our tips can help with mild sunburn.

SOS tips

Get out of the sun

"The first thing to do with sunburn is to get out of the sun," recommends doctor Silke Schmitt Oggier. It is not enough to stay in the shade of the parasol, as the UV rays still reach the skin there. A hotel room or closed rooms are the better choice. Don't drink very cold drinks, but rather drinks at room temperature.

Cool the skin

The affected areas should be cooled as quickly as possible. Moist towels and compresses or a slightly cooling shower can cool you down.

Important: If you feel very hot from the sun or suffer from a cardiovascular disease, it is better not to take a shower to avoid circulatory problems.

Cooling compresses: Soak linen or cotton cloths in cool, clean water and place on the sunburn for about two hours.

"The first thing to do with a sunburn is to get out of the sun."

Dr. Silke Schmitt Oggier, medical director at santé24

After sun lotions

After sun lotions are tailored to the needs of sun-stressed skin and are more suitable than body lotions. Tip: After sun lotion can be stored in the fridge for an extra freshness boost.

Home remedy for sunburn

• Aloe vera
  As a desert plant, it is easy to understand that aloe vera is a moisturizing secret weapon against redness and pain. Aloe vera gel provides the skin with vitamins and minerals that promote healing. If you have an aloe vera plant at home, you can cut off a piece of it and apply the gel-like liquid from the inside to the affected area of skin. Alternatively, aloe vera gels or lotions can be found in pharmacies and drugstores. Aloe vera is also often contained in after sun lotions.
• Cooling compresses with black tea
  Instead of water, chilled, mild black tea can also be used for cooling compresses. It is rich in antioxidants and tannins. This soothes the skin.

It is better to avoid these household remedies:

• Vinegar and lemon juice are not recommended, despite popular belief. This is because they can irritate the already stressed skin or trigger infections.
• You should also be careful with carrot juice: It is true that the juice is relatively high in beta carotene and can therefore prolong the skin's own shedding time. However, the effect of the juice is too small to provide effective protection against sunburn.

After the initial damage limitation

Drink plenty of water
Drink at least 1.5 liters of water throughout the day to compensate for the loss of moisture caused by sunburn and to prevent circulatory problems. Sprays with thermal water relieve feelings of tension on the affected areas (e.g. available in pharmacies).

Take a break from the sun
It is best to take a break from the sun until the reddening of the skin has subsided. This means shade, lightproof clothing and sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (at least SFP 30). Don't forget a good pair of sunglasses! The eyes also suffer from strong sun, which is intensified by water and light-colored sand.

Make-up
Make-up is also counterproductive in the event of sunburn. It irritates the skin even more and the healing process takes longer. It is therefore better to avoid make-up temporarily.

You need a doctor
If you have second or third degree sunburn (with blistering) or if you experience persistent pain or circulatory problems with dizziness, nausea or severe headaches, you should definitely consult a doctor. Babies and small children with sunburn should always be examined by a doctor so that they can correctly assess the severity of the burn or quickly diagnose and treat sunstroke.