How do I treat a sunburn at home?

Sunburn is radiation damage to the top layer of skin, and there’s no way to undo it once it happens — treatment is about managing pain, swelling, and peeling while your skin repairs itself. Start as soon as you notice the burn: get out of the sun and cool the skin. A cool bath or shower (not ice-cold, which can shock the skin) or a cool compress applied for 15 minutes several times a day helps pull heat out of the tissue.

For pain and inflammation, a nonprescription pain reliever like ibuprofen or naproxen works better than acetaminophen because it targets swelling directly. Apply aloe vera gel or a gentle moisturizer while the skin is still damp to lock in moisture. Avoid petroleum-based products that trap heat. Drink extra water — a sunburn draws fluid to the skin surface and away from the rest of your body.

See a doctor if blistering covers a large area, or if you develop fever, chills, confusion, or severe pain. These can be signs of heatstroke or a burn serious enough to need medical care.