Ouch! How to Treat Severe Sunburn and When to Seek Help

Ouch! How to Treat Severe Sunburn and When to Seek Help =======================================================

Almost half of Queensland adults – about 1.84 million people – reported being sunburnt in the previous 12 months, and more than 220,000 had a blistering sunburn in just one year.

Zoom out nationally and the picture is just as confronting: around 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime, and there are now over a million treatments every year for non‑melanoma skin cancers alone – more than 100 procedures every hour.

So if you’ve ever come home from the beach looking like a cooked prawn, you’re very much not alone.

But there’s “a bit pink after the barbie”… and then there’s the kind of savage burn people on Google call “sun poisoning” – intense pain, big blisters, headache, nausea, maybe even chills. That’s when severe sunburn stops being an annoyance and starts becoming a genuine health risk.

In this article, we’ll walk through:

• How to recognise severe sunburn (and what people mean by “sun poisoning symptoms”)
• Step‑by‑step severe sunburn treatment you can do at home
• Clear warning signs that mean you should see a doctor today – or head straight to emergency
• How to tell heat rash from sunburn
• When you might need prescription burn cream or other medications
• Practical summer skin care Australia tips to help you avoid the next burn

We’re Australian‑registered doctors and healthcare professionals at NextClinic, and we see sun damage all summer long via telehealth – from painful burns and heat rash to worrying new moles. Our goal here is to give you solid, evidence‑based, Aussie‑specific advice you can actually use the next time the sun gets the better of you.

This article is general information, not personal medical advice – but it will help you decide when self‑care is enough and when it’s time to call in help.

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Why the Aussie sun hits so hard

Australia sits under some of the highest levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the world. That’s why we top the global charts for skin cancer.

A couple of key points:

• UV is not the same as heat. You can get badly burnt on a cool, windy or overcast day.
• In much of Australia, the UV Index is 3 or higher for most of the year, not just in mid‑summer.
• On a fine January day, sunburn can start in as little as 15 minutes for fair skin.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s UV Index rates UV on a scale from 1 (Low) to 11+ (Extreme). Health authorities recommend using sun protection whenever the Index is 3 or above.

That’s why even a “quick dip” or “just a walk to the café” can end with you radiating heat hours later.

Mild vs severe sunburn: what’s the difference?

Not every sunburn needs a doctor, but severe ones absolutely can.

Mild sunburn typically looks like:

• Pink to red skin
• Warmth, mild tenderness or itch
• No blisters
• Discomfort that settles in a day or two, then peeling

Moderate sunburn might include:

• Deep red skin
• More intense pain
• Mild swelling
• Small blisters in some areas

Severe sunburn is a different beast. Healthdirect and other medical sources suggest seeing a doctor urgently if you have any of the following with your burn:

• Blisters covering a large area of skin
• Severe pain or significant swelling
• Fever, chills or feeling really unwell
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, fainting or confusion
• Signs the area might be infected (increasing redness, warmth, pus, streaks)

These are the kinds of situations many people describe online as “sun poisoning”.

What is “sun poisoning” really?

“Sun poisoning” isn’t a medical diagnosis doctors formally write down – it’s a lay term for very severe sunburn, especially when it comes with whole‑body (systemic) symptoms like:

• Big, painful blisters
• Severe redness and swelling
• Fever and chills
• Nausea, vomiting, headache
• Profound fatigue, dizziness or confusion
• Dehydration (dry mouth, dark urine, not passing much urine)

Those symptoms mean your body isn’t just dealing with damaged skin – it’s struggling with inflammation, fluid loss and heat stress. That can spiral into serious problems like heat exhaustion, heatstroke, or shock if not treated properly.

If you recognise yourself in that list, you need medical help – not just aloe vera and wishful thinking.

First aid: what to do as soon as you realise you’re badly burnt

If your symptoms are still in the mild–to–moderate range (no red flags yet), good severe sunburn treatment at home can make a big difference to your pain and recovery.

1. Get out of the sun – completely

It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to think, “I’ll just stay till the end of the game/swim/walk.” Don’t.

• Move into full shade or indoors immediately.
• Avoid even “reflected sun” from water, sand or concrete if you can – UV bounces.

Your skin continues to “cook off” after exposure, so every extra minute of UV matters.

2. Cool the skin gently (not with ice)

You want cooling, not freezing.

Try:

• Cool showers or baths for 10–20 minutes at a time
• Cool, damp cloths or compresses on the affected areas for 15 minutes, repeated as needed

Tips:

• Use cool, not icy water – ice or very cold water can damage skin further.
• Skip harsh soaps or body scrubs; use a gentle, fragrance‑free cleanser if needed.
• Pat skin dry gently – no vigorous rubbing.

3. Hydrate like you mean it

Sunburn draws fluid to the surface of your skin and can contribute to dehydration, especially if you’ve also been sweating, swimming, or drinking alcohol.

• Sip cool water regularly over the next couple of days.
• Oral rehydration solutions or electrolyte drinks can help if you’re also feeling light‑headed or nauseous.
• Avoid or limit alcohol, which dehydrates you further.

If you’re struggling to keep fluids down, that’s a doctor‑now situation.

4. Use simple pain relief (if safe for you)

Over‑the‑counter pain relief can reduce pain and inflammation in moderate burns:

• Paracetamol can help pain.
• Ibuprofen or other NSAIDs can help with both pain and inflammation if you don’t have medical reasons to avoid them (for example, certain stomach, kidney, bleeding or heart conditions).

Always:

• Follow the instructions on the pack.
• Check for interactions with your regular medicines.
• Talk to a pharmacist or doctor if you’re unsure what’s safe for you.

If standard doses barely touch the pain, or you can’t take them safely, it’s time to get medical advice. Our doctors at NextClinic can assess you via telehealth and, if appropriate, prescribe stronger pain relief or anti‑inflammatory medication.

5. Soothe and moisturise the skin

Once the burning heat settles a little, moisturiser becomes your best friend. Healthdirect recommends moisturising lotions or creams to help with pain and peeling.

Good options:

• Fragrance‑free, alcohol‑free moisturisers (gels, lotions or creams)
• Products containing aloe vera or soothing ingredients like glycerin, soy or colloidal oatmeal
• Light, non‑occlusive formulas that don’t trap heat

Things to avoid on fresh sunburn:

• Perfumed products, essential oils or heavily fragranced after‑sun gels
• Harsh active ingredients like retinoids, glycolic/salicylic acid or vitamin C serums
• Thick petroleum‑heavy ointments right away on very hot skin – they can trap heat

Apply moisturiser gently, not with vigorous rubbing. Reapply several times a day as your skin drinks it in.

6. Don’t pop blisters

Blisters are your body’s natural dressing.

• Do not deliberately pop them – you open the door to infection.
• If they break on their own, rinse with clean water, pat dry, and cover with a non‑stick dressing.
• Keep an eye out for signs of infection:
  • Increasing redness, warmth or swelling around the area
  • Pus, yellow crust or red streaks running away from the blister
  • Increasing pain or fever

If you’re not sure how serious it looks, this is the perfect time for a quick telehealth consult. We can look (via video or good photos), advise on dressings, and prescribe topical or oral antibiotics if an infection is likely – or send you to an in‑person clinic if we’re worried.

7. Rest – your body is doing a lot of repair work

A bad burn can make you feel wiped out: headachey, shivery, vaguely flu‑ish. That’s your immune system reacting to widespread skin injury.

• Take it easy for a day or two.
• Stay indoors, preferably in a cool, shaded, well‑ventilated space.
• Wear soft, loose, cotton clothing that doesn’t rub.

If you’re genuinely too sore or exhausted to work, we can assess you online and, if appropriate, provide a medical certificate for sick leave so you can rest properly without drama.

“Sun poisoning symptoms”: when you need a doctor – or an ambulance

Here’s the line in the sand:

"If you have severe sunburn plus any systemic (whole‑body) symptoms, don’t tough it out. Get help."

Healthdirect recommends seeing a doctor immediately for severe sunburn or any of the following:

• Blisters covering a large part of your body
• Severe pain or swelling
• Fever, chills or shivering
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or fainting
• Confusion, agitation or feeling “out of it”
• Signs of infection (increasing redness, warmth, pus, streaks from the burn)

You should go straight to emergency or call 000 if:

• You’re confused, dizzy, faint or having trouble staying awake
• You have chest pain, difficulty breathing, or feel like you might collapse
• Vomiting won’t stop or you can’t keep fluids down
• A child, older adult, pregnant person or someone with a chronic illness has a large blistering burn or seems very unwell
• The burn covers a large surface area (for example, most of your back and shoulders) or involves the face, hands, genitals or major joints

Hospitals can give:

• IV fluids for dehydration
• Stronger pain relief
• Prescription burn creams and dressings for more serious burns
• Monitoring for complications like heatstroke, kidney problems or infection

If you’re not sure whether it’s urgent, you can:

• Call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for nurse advice, or
• Book a same‑day telehealth appointment with one of our doctors at NextClinic for assessment. If we’re worried, we’ll tell you clearly to head to a local clinic or emergency department.

Telehealth is not a replacement for emergency care – but it can be a safe and convenient first step for many moderate cases, and a way to get prescriptions and medical certificates without leaving home.

Heat rash vs severe sunburn: what’s actually going on with your skin?

In summer, it’s easy to lump any red, itchy or prickly skin under “sunburn” or “sun poisoning”. But heat rash is a different condition – and it needs slightly different care.

What is heat rash?

Heat rash (also called prickly heat, sweat rash or miliaria) happens when sweat ducts get blocked and sweat becomes trapped under your skin.

Typical features:

• Tiny clear blisters or small red bumps
• Itchy, prickly or “stinging” sensation
• Often appears where sweat collects or skin rubs:
  • Under the breasts or in skin folds
  • Neck and upper chest
  • Groin and around the waist
  • Armpits
• More common in hot, humid weather, and in babies

Heat rash often flares:

• When you’ve been sweating in tight, synthetic clothing
• During heatwaves, in non‑air‑conditioned homes
• Under sports gear or backpacks

Sunburn can increase your chance of heat rash by making skin more inflamed and sweaty, but the two are not the same problem.

Quick comparison: heat rash vs sunburn / “sun poisoning”

Heat rash:

• Looks like small bumps or blisters, often in skin folds
• Feels prickly or itchy more than outright painful
• Triggered mainly by heat and sweat, not direct UV alone
• Usually settles once you cool down and dry out

Sunburn / “sun poisoning”:

• Skin is red to deep red, hot, very tender to touch
• May have large, tense blisters over exposed areas (shoulders, back, chest, thighs)
• Triggered by UV radiation – direct sun or solarium
• Often comes with systemic symptoms (headache, fever, nausea) when severe

Heat rash treatment basics

Healthdirect recommends:

• Move to a cool, dry environment
• Wear loose, breathable clothing
• Keep skin folds dry – a fan can help
• Avoid heavy creams or ointments that block pores
• Use light, soothing lotions (for example, calamine) if itchy

See a doctor if:

• The rash is very painful, severe or keeps coming back
• You suspect it’s infected (painful, hot, pus‑filled)
• You’re also feeling unwell with fever, dizziness or weakness

At NextClinic, we often help people work out whether a summer rash is simple heat rash, sunburn, allergy or something else. If we’re concerned, we can prescribe appropriate creams, recommend blood tests, or arrange a specialist referral.

For parents, our article “My Child Woke Up Sick: Is It Heat or a Virus?” walks through the difference between heat illness and infection in kids, and when to seek urgent care.

When might you need prescription burn cream or other medications?

Most sunburns – even pretty nasty ones – can be managed with self‑care plus simple pain relief. But in some cases, a doctor may prescribe stronger treatments.

Depending on your situation, a GP may consider:

• Prescription‑strength pain relief if over‑the‑counter options aren’t enough
• Prescription burn cream or anti‑inflammatory cream for limited, very painful areas (for example, a short course of a topical corticosteroid) – though the evidence is mixed, and these aren’t suitable for everyone or for very large areas
• Topical or oral antibiotics if there are signs of skin infection
• Antihistamines if itch is severe and affecting sleep
• Oral steroids or other medications in rare, more complex cases of extensive sun damage

At NextClinic, we can:

• Assess your burn via telehealth consultation
• Prescribe appropriate medications (including prescription burn cream or other scripts) if they’re safe and indicated
• Provide a medical certificate if you need time off work or study
• Arrange a dermatologist or burns specialist referral if we’re worried about more serious damage or your long‑term skin cancer risk

If we think you need hands‑on care – like IV fluids or specialised dressings – we’ll point you clearly to your nearest emergency department or urgent care centre. Telehealth is great, but it has limits, and we take those seriously.

Summer skin care Australia: how to avoid the next burn

Once the pain fades and the peeling stops, it’s tempting to forget the whole episode. But each bad burn is a permanent “UV injury” to your skin, and repeated sunburns significantly increase your risk of skin cancer later in life.

Here’s how to build a realistic summer skin care routine for Australian conditions.

1. Make the UV Index your daily “danger dial”

Before you worry about the temperature, check the UV Index forecast for your city via:

• The Bureau of Meteorology UV page or app
• The SunSmart app from Cancer Council
• Many weather apps now list daily maximum UV too

Whenever UV is 3 or above and you’ll be outdoors for more than a few minutes in total, treat it as a sun protection day.

We dive more into this in our article “Do You Need Sunscreen Indoors? 3 Myths Busted”, which explains why UV – not heat – should drive your sunscreen decisions.

2. Use a proper, TGA‑listed sunscreen – and enough of it

Cancer Council recommends sunscreen that is:

• SPF 50 or 50+
• Broad‑spectrum (UVA + UVB)
• Water‑resistant

Application basics:

• Put it on 20 minutes before going outside
• Use about 7 teaspoons for an adult body:
  • 1 for each arm
  • 1 for each leg
  • 1 for the front of your torso
  • 1 for your back
  • 1 for head/neck and ears
• Reapply every 2 hours when outdoors, and after swimming, sweating or towel‑drying

Independent testing has found that some popular Australian sunscreens don’t always reach their labelled SPF, so it pays to:

• Choose reputable, TGA‑listed products (look for an AUST L or AUST R number)
• Be generous with application – under‑applying dramatically reduces protection
• Combine sunscreen with other protection (clothing, hats, shade), not instead of it

If you’ve got acne‑prone or sensitive skin, our doctors can help you choose formulas that won’t clog pores or trigger rashes, and can provide online prescriptions for acne or pigmentation treatments if needed. For more on that, check out our blog “Acne Treatments: From Creams to Scripts”.

3. Slip, slop, slap, seek, slide – properly

The classic Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide message is still the gold standard:

• Slip on long‑sleeved, sun‑protective clothing
• Slop on broad‑spectrum sunscreen SPF 30+ or 50+
• Slap on a broad‑brimmed hat
• Seek shade, especially around the middle of the day
• Slide on sunglasses that meet Australian standards

Think of sunscreen as your last line of defence, not your only one.

We talk about these strategies in the context of heatwaves, hydration, bushfires and more in our article “Beat the Heat: Summer Health Tips for Australians” – a great read if you want a whole‑of‑body approach to summer safety.

4. Look after your skin after sun exposure

Good after‑sun care is a key part of summer skin care in Australia:

• Rinse off salt, sand and chlorine soon after swimming
• Moisturise daily with a gentle, fragrance‑free lotion or cream
• Go easy on strong actives (retinoids, acids, high‑strength vitamin C) after a day in the sun
• Keep an eye out for new freckles, moles or patches of pigmentation appearing over summer

If you’ve had a whopper of a burn, consider your longer‑term skin cancer risk. Our blog “New Year Skin Check: 5 Mole Changes to Watch For” walks you through doing a self‑check at home and when to ask for a dermatologist referral.

We can organise those referrals via telehealth if you don’t want to wait weeks for a traditional GP appointment.

5. Know if your medicines make you burn more easily

Some medications and topical products increase photosensitivity, making you burn faster and more severely. These can include:

• Certain antibiotics (like doxycycline)
• Acne medications, including some oral and topical retinoids
• Some antidepressants and antipsychotics
• Diuretics and some heart medications
• St John’s wort and other herbal products
• Chemical peels and certain cosmetic treatments

If you start a new medication, it’s worth asking:

"“Does this make me more sensitive to the sun?”"

Our doctors routinely cover this in telehealth consults, especially for skin and mental health medications, and can help you tweak your summer routine accordingly.

Special situations: kids, older adults and sensitive areas

Children

Kids’ skin is thinner and more delicate, so they burn faster and more severely. Healthdirect recommends keeping babies under 12 months out of direct sun as much as possible.

See a doctor urgently if:

• A baby or toddler has any significant sunburn
• A child of any age has blistering, fever, vomiting, lethargy or seems “not themselves”

Even if they seem okay, a big burn in childhood adds to their lifetime skin cancer risk.

Older adults and people with health conditions

Older Australians and people with chronic conditions (heart disease, diabetes, kidney problems, autoimmune diseases) are more prone to:

• Dehydration
• Heat exhaustion and heatstroke
• Slower wound healing

A sunburn that a healthy 25‑year‑old might brush off can be a much bigger deal in these groups. Don’t hesitate to seek medical advice early – even via telehealth – if you or a loved one falls into this category.

Sensitive body areas

Burns to areas like:

• The face
• Eyelids
• Lips
• Genitals and groin
• Hands and major joints

…are more likely to need medical review, because of pain, infection risk and scarring.

Sunburnt eyes (photokeratitis) are another topic altogether, but if your eyes are red, gritty, very painful or light‑sensitive after sun exposure, you should be seen by a doctor promptly.

How we at NextClinic can help – without you leaving the couch

If the Aussie sun has left you:

• Too sore to go to work
• Unsure whether your symptoms are “just bad sunburn” or something more serious
• Worried about a new mole or a patch of skin that doesn’t look right
• Dealing with a confusing summer rash you’re not sure is heat rash, allergy or infection

…we can help.

Through our Australian telehealth service, we can:

• Assess your sunburn, rash or heat‑related symptoms via secure online consultation
• Provide severe sunburn treatment advice tailored to your situation
• Prescribe prescription burn cream, pain relief, antihistamines or antibiotics when appropriate
• Issue medical certificates for sick leave if you’re genuinely not fit for work
• Arrange specialist referrals to dermatologists or burns clinics
• Offer broader summer skin care Australia advice – from sunscreen choices to managing acne meds safely in the sun

And if we think you need in‑person care or emergency treatment, we’ll say so clearly and help you work out the next steps.

Bringing it all together – and your next step this week

Let’s recap the key points:

• The Australian sun is seriously strong. Severe sunburn is more than just an inconvenience – it’s a real injury that raises your long‑term skin cancer risk.
• “Sun poisoning” is a non‑medical term people use for very severe sunburn, especially when it comes with systemic symptoms like fever, vomiting, dizziness or confusion.
• Good first aid matters: get out of the sun, cool the skin gently, hydrate well, use simple pain relief if safe, moisturise generously, and protect blisters.
• Red flag symptoms (large blistering areas, severe pain, fever, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, signs of infection) mean you should seek medical help the same day – and sometimes head straight to emergency.
• Heat rash is different from sunburn – it’s caused by trapped sweat, often in skin folds, and usually improves with cooling and dryness.
• Prevention is non‑negotiable in summer skin care: check the UV Index, use proper sunscreen correctly, and combine it with clothing, hats, shade and sunglasses.
• Telehealth services like ours can step in early – for assessment, prescriptions (including prescription burn cream where appropriate), medical certificates and specialist referrals – so you’re not stuck wondering what to do.

Your challenge: choose one sun‑smart action this week

To make this practical, pick one of these to do in the next seven days:

1. Start checking the UV Index every morning and decide on your sun protection based on that – not the temperature.
2. Audit your sunscreen: throw out anything expired or cooked in a hot car, and buy a new, TGA‑listed SPF 50+ you actually like using.
3. Set a phone reminder to reapply sunscreen every two hours during your next outdoor day.
4. Do a quick skin check in the mirror and note any moles or spots that worry you – then book a telehealth consult if something stands out.
5. If you’re still peeling or uncomfortable from a recent burn, book a telehealth visit with us at NextClinic to talk through your recovery and prevention plan.

We’d love to hear from you in the comments:

• Which strategy are you going to try this week, and how did it go?

Your experience might be exactly what another Aussie needs to finally take sun protection – and severe sunburn – seriously this summer.

References

• Sun safety | Report of the Chief Health Officer Queensland
• Sunscreen research and facts | Cancer Council
• Skin cancer explained | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government
• About the UV Index | The Bureau of Meteorology
• Sunburn | National Cancer Prevention Policy Skin Cancer Statistics and Issues | Cancer Council
• Sunburn and sun protection - treatments and prevention including sunscreen | healthdirect
• Sun Poisoning: Symptoms, Rash, and Treatment
• What To Do For Sun Poisoning - Austra Health
• Heat rash - treatments and causes | healthdirect
• Blog | NextClinic
• Topical corticosteroids in the treatment of acute sunburn: a systematic review | Journal of Ideas in Health
• Do You Need Sunscreen Indoors? 3 Myths Busted | NextClinic
• Fact sheet: Sunscreen | National Cancer Prevention Policy UV radiation | Cancer Council
• Acne Treatments: From Creams to Scripts | NextClinic
• Beat the Heat: Summer Health Tips for Australians | NextClinic
• New Year Skin Check: 5 Mole Changes to Watch For | NextClinic

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