Sunburn and Sun Eczema

Medically reviewed by The Dermatologists and written by Dr. Alexander Börve

When skin is exposed to the sun for too long, it becomes red and irritated. This is a sunburn. If the sun is severe enough, the skin will react against the sun’s UV radiation and become blister and peel, turning into a sun eczema.

Patient Exhibiting Mild Sunburn: Visible Reddened Skin on the Chest and Arms

Sunlight contains different kinds of radiation. The ultraviolet radiation is divided into UVA radiation, which makes the skin pigment darkens, and UVB radiation, which means that the amount of pigment increases and the skin becomes thicker. Both types of ultraviolet radiation can cause skin damage.

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Symptoms

UV light from the sun damages skin cells and causes DNA damage beneath your skin, which could lead to skin cancer. Sunburns speed up the aging process of the skin, creating wrinkles and dark spots. Babies and small children should not stay in the sun at all, but sometimes even at a shady spot, it can be too much glare for sensitive skin. Sunburns cause the skin to turn red, swell, itch, and heat up. You might experience chills, nausea, and headache can occur with a severe burn. Your skin type and the sun’s intensity determine how soon you will burn and how severe the burn will be.

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What can I do?

If you get sunburn, you should refrain from sunbathing for a few days to let the skin heal. If the skin hurts a lot, you can cool it with cold water, calamine lotion or a moisturizing lotion. If you get sun eczema, you can relieve the pain with a prescription hydrocortisone cream. If you experience a lot of pain, you can take a non-prescription painkiller.

You can protect your skin from sunlight by opaque clothing and a hat. It is advised that you use sunscreen with a high sun protection factor that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. As the clouds transmits half of the sun’s radiation, you should use sunscreen even on a cloudy summer day. Put on a new layer of sunscreen several times during the day, especially after swimming and if you sweat. There are different types of sunscreens, and you can ask the pharmacist for more information.

You should also be wary of the sun if you are using certain medicines, as they can increase the skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. Also, remember that snow, sand and water reflect sunlight.

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How to Find Relief from Eczema When Sunburn Aggravates It

1. Cool Down: Apply cool, wet compresses to the affected areas. This can help soothe the burn and reduce inflammation. Avoid ice directly on the skin as it can cause more damage.
2. Moisturize: After cooling the skin, apply a fragrance-free moisturizer to help lock in moisture and repair the skin barrier. Products containing ceramides or hyaluronic acid can be particularly beneficial for eczema-prone skin.
3. Hydrate: Sunburn and eczema both can dry out your skin. Drinking plenty of water helps hydrate your body from the inside out, supporting the skin’s healing process.
4. Wear Loose Clothing: Tight clothing can irritate both sunburned and eczema-affected skin. Wear loose, soft fabrics like cotton to avoid further irritation.
5. Avoid Further Sun Exposure: Protect your skin from additional sun damage by staying indoors during peak sunlight hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or wearing protective clothing and hats if you need to go outside.
6. Use Mild Skin Care Products: Avoid products containing alcohol, fragrances, or other irritants that can worsen eczema or sunburn. Use gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and avoid scrubbing your skin.

Should I seek medical care?

After sunburn, the skin starts to heal itself by peeling a few days. If you get a severe eczema or a severe sunburn with blisters on your skin or damaged skin area that is larger than the palm of a hand, you should seek help from a healthcare provider.

Treatment

Limiting sun exposure and wearing sunscreen are the best ways to avoid a sunburn. Cold water or calamine lotion might be soothing to a sunburn. Hydrocortisone cream can ease the itching that can occur in sunburns and sun eczema.

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Source:

Skin Cancer Foundation. Sunburn. Available at: https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sunburn

Skin Cancer Foundation. 5 Ways to Treat a Sunburn. Available at: https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sunburn/five-ways-to-treat-a-sunburn

American Academy of Dermatology. Treating sunburn. Available at: https://www.aad.org/public/kids/skin/skin-cancer/treating-sunburn

Benedetti J. Sunburn. MSD Manual Professional Edition. Reviewed/Revised October 2023. Available at: https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic-disorders/reactions-to-sunlight/sunburn.