When to See Your Doctor for Severe Sunburn

When you go to the beach or pool, the first thing you do when you arrive is apply sunscreen so that you don’t deal with severe sunburn when you go home at the end of the day. But what about when you’re just out and about, shopping, or getting some exercise? 

Most people don’t think about sunscreen during normal activities, especially on cloudy days, but the truth is that you can get a sunburn at any time that you spend a decent amount of time outdoors. Most sunburns can be treated at home, but some severe burns should be addressed by a doctor. 

Body Coverage and Blisters

If the severe sunburn covers a large portion of your body and it is covered in blisters, even small, you should seek medical attention. A burn that covers a large area is more prone to infection, while blisters are an indicator of a severe burn that should have medical attention. If your face or body swells, you should also seek immediate attention, as you could have sun poisoning.

Headache, Fever, and Other Symptoms

Most of the time when you get a sunburn, you’re going to have the common symptoms of dry skin, heat radiating from the skin, pain or discomfort, and after a few days maybe some peeling skin, but a severe sunburn will have some additional symptoms you wouldn’t normally associate with a sunburn. These could include headache, fever, dehydration, confusion, nausea, or chills. If you have these symptoms, you should see a doctor right away.

If you or a member of your family has had a severe sunburn, contact us today for an appointment to have it evaluated.