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Sunburn

  • Overview
  • Theory
  • Diagnosis
  • Management
  • Follow up
  • Resources
Last reviewed: 9 Jun 2025
Last updated: 22 Aug 2024

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • sun exposure
  • lack of sun protection
  • skin discomfort
  • pruritus
  • skin tenderness
  • sensation of warmth
  • erythema
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • chronic actinic damage
  • malaise, fever, chills, nausea, headache
  • edema
  • vesicles/bullae
Full details

Risk factors

  • Fitzpatrick skin type I-III
  • photosensitizing medications
  • intentional tanning
  • lack of or improper use of sunscreen
  • injudicious sun exposure
  • age under 6 months
  • immunosuppression
  • history of skin cancer
Full details

Diagnostic tests

Tests to consider

  • skin biopsy
  • phototesting
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

all patients

Contributors

Authors

Elena B. Hawryluk, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor

Department of Dermatology

Harvard Medical School

Boston

MA

Disclosures

EBH is an author and reviewer for UpToDate and has previously consulted for Apogee and Skin Analytics. EBH declares that her spouse receives salary and stock from Gritstone Oncology LLC, is on an advisory board of Path AI, and is on the Board of Directors of Predictive Oncology, Inc.

Acknowledgements

Dr Elena B. Hawryluk would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Aimee S. Payne and Dr Ronald M. Bernardin, previous co-contributors to this topic. ASP and RMB declare that they have no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

Chad M. Hivnor, Major, USAF, MC, FS

Chief

Outpatient & Pediatric Dermatology

59th Medical Wing/ SGOMD

Lackland Air Force Base

San Antonio

TX

Disclosures

CMH declares that he has no competing interests.

Stephen Richardson, MD, FAAD

Clinical Assistant Professor

Florida State University College of Medicine

Tallahassee

FL

Disclosures

SR declares that he has no competing interests.

Ravi Ubriani, MD, FAAD

Assistant Professor of Clinical Dermatology

Columbia University

New York

NY

Disclosures

RU declares that he has no competing interests.

Peter M. Farr, MD, FRCP

Consultant Dermatologist and Professor of Clinical Photobiology

Royal Victoria Infirmary

Newcastle upon Tyne

UK

Disclosures

PMF declares that he has no competing interests.

References

Our in-house evidence and editorial teams collaborate with international expert contributors and peer reviewers to ensure that we provide access to the most clinically relevant information possible.

Key articles

Fitzpatrick TB. The validity and practicality of sun-reactive skin types I through VI. Arch Dermatol. 1988 Jun;124(6):869-71. Abstract

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sunburn and sun protective behaviors among adults aged 18-29 years--United States, 2000-2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012;61:317-322.Full text  Abstract

Han A, Maibach, HI. Management of acute sunburn. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2004;5:39-47. Abstract

US Preventive Services Task Force. Recommendation Statement. Behavioral Counseling to Prevent Skin Cancer. Mar 2018 [internet publication].Full text

Whiteman DC, Neale RE, Aitken J, et al. When to apply sunscreen: a consensus statement for Australia and New Zealand. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2019 Apr;43(2):171-5.Full text  Abstract

Reference articles

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.

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