Learn to treat your sunburn fast

Ouch!

Stayed out in the sun too long or forgot to reapply your sunblock?

The next time you head outside on a sunny day, be prepared! Know how to recognize and treat a sunburn so you can stay safe from the sun's rays.

It's important to begin treating a sunburn as quickly as possible.

It may take up to 2 days for the severity of your sunburn to show, and several more days for it to heal.

Symptoms of a sunburn:

• Redness of the skin

• Skin that feels warm/hot to the touch

• Pain/swelling

• Small, fluid-filled blisters that may break

• Eyes that feel painful/gritty

• Headache, fever, nausea, or fatigue if sunburn is severe

Sunburns can sometimes be very serious. Here's when you should seek help from a medical professional:

• The sunburn is severe — with blisters — and covers a large portion of your body

• You've developed a skin infection, indicated by swelling, pus, or red streaks leading from the blister

• The sunburn is accompanied by a high fever, headache, severe pain, dehydration, confusion, nausea, or chills

• Your sunburn doesn't respond to at-home care

Here are some tips to help reduce the pain and discomfort from a sunburn:

• Apply a lotion or gel to the area such as aloe vera or calamine lotion

• Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration

• Take frequent cool baths or showers

• Don't break intact blisters

• Treat peeling skin gently

• Cover your skin if you have to go back outside

• Take a pain reliever with ibuprofen such as Advil or Motrin (always take any medication under a physician's guidance)

Before getting some sun, remember to protect yourself: