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sunburn can become itchy one to three days after exposure. - Soothe sunburn itching with a cool oatmeal bath, aloe vera, and anti-inflammatory medications.
Spending too much time in the sun without protective clothing or sunscreen can lead to a red, prickling sunburn that leaves you scratching at your skin.
That itchiness is likely due to the fact that you've damaged the top layer of your skin, the epidermis, which contains many sensitive nerve endings.
A rare form of sunburn
Quick tip: For more information, check out our guide to hell's itch, which includes some methods that may help you find relief.
But luckily, most cases of itchy sunburn are not as severe as hell's itch and can be treated with a few simple remedies. Here are 7 easy ways to get relief from sunburn itch.
1. Use a cool compress
As with any burn, it is helpful to cool down sunburned skin as soon as possible to help reduce inflammation.
Itching usually sets in between one and three days after you've been burnt — and can last for around 48 hours — so treating it early could help keep inflammation symptoms like itching at bay.
You can make a cool compress by putting a few ice cubes in a plastic bag, wrapping it in a soft cloth, and holding it to the sunburned area.
Make sure to avoid putting ice directly on your skin. Because if the skin becomes too cold, it can actually freeze the water in your skin, forming small crystals that can cut into nearby skin cells, causing more pain and damage.
2. Take a cool shower or bath
You can also take a cool shower or bath to cool down your skin, but make sure not to stay in the water for too long, as this can dry it out. This is because the water can remove the protective oils on your skin's surface that help to trap moisture.
In the shower, be sure to avoid harsh, oil-stripping soaps, as these can cause more skin irritation. Instead, try shower products made with oatmeal, which can help soothe itching.
Try soaking in a cool or luke-warm bath with colloidal oatmeal, which helps moisturize and soothe inflamed skin.
3. Use moisturizer
One important step to soothing sunburned, itchy skin is to keep it moisturized since dry skin can increase itchiness. Moisturizer even "brings down inflammation and helps skin repair" says Gary Goldenberg, MD, a dermatologist with a private practice. Make certain to use a fragrance-free moisturizer.
The best time to use moisturizer is right after showering or bathing, while your skin is still damp and pores are open, so you can lock in moisture.
Gentle moisturizers like Cetaphil or CeraVe are good options for sunburn treatment, says Goldberg.
The American Academy of Dermatology also recommends soy-based moisturizers. Soy is rich in antioxidants that may fight cellular damage from UV rays and help the skin barrier recover more quickly.
Important: Stay away from numbing products with lidocaine or benzocaine, like Orajel, as this can irritate your skin, making pain and itching worse.
Best body moisturizer
Keep your skin moisturized with our guide to the best body moisturizers.
- Best body moisturizer overall: Kiehl's Crème de Corps, $82 on Sephora
- Best drugstore body moisturizer: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, $9.59 on Amazon
- Best body moisturizer to splurge on: Sol de Janeiro's Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, $48 on Sephora
4. Smooth on some aloe vera
Aloe vera is a potent moisturizer and anti-inflammatory treatment. The gel also contains magnesium lactate, which prevents the production of histamines that can lead to itchy skin.
In addition, aloe has been shown to help treat sunburn by soothing hot skin, stimulating collagen production, and giving your body the vitamins it needs to heal.
The best way to apply aloe is to squeeze the gel straight from the plant and rub it on your sunburn. But if you don't have access to an aloe plant, look for a bottle that is as close to 100% aloe vera as possible.
Best aloe vera
Soothe your sunburn with picks from our guide to the best aloe vera products.
- Best 100% pure aloe: Simple Wonders 100% Aloe Vera Gel, $19.99 on Amazon
- Best aloe with vitamins: Sun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Gel, $8.99 on Amazon
- Best organic aloe: Seven Minerals Organic Aloe Vera Gel, $16.95 on Amazon
- Best soothing aloe: Jason Soothing Aloe Vera Gel, $4.04 on Amazon
5. Apply steroid cream
If moisturizers aren't providing enough relief for your sunburn symptoms, you may want to try using an over-the-counter steroid cream with 1 percent cortisone.
Cortisone or hydrocortisone cream improves inflammation symptoms like itching, redness, and swelling by blocking the chemicals that trigger your immune system's inflammatory response.
Note: Experts advise that you should not use cortisone cream for more than a week without talking to a doctor, and pregnant women and children under 10 should avoid it altogether.
6. Take anti-inflammatory medications
Another way to reduce inflammatory sunburn symptoms like pain and itching is to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).
NSAID medications like ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), and aspirin relieve pain and have been shown to reduce the inflammation that causes itching in sunburned skin.
Another way to calm your symptoms is to take antihistamines, which reduce itching by blocking the release of chemicals that increase your immune system's inflammatory response. Try over-the-counter allergy meds such as cetirizine (brand name Zyrtec) or loratadine (brand name Claritin), which may offer some relief without making you drowsy.
7. Protect sunburned skin from the sun
Lastly, while you are healing from painful, itchy sunburn, one of the most important steps you can take is to stay out of the sun and avoid further damage, Goldberg says. Particularly during peak sun hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you do go outside, wear clothes that cover your skin and are tightly woven, so that nothing shines through when you hold them up to a light. Unbleached cotton is a good option, as well as shiny fabrics that reflect light like polyester or satin.
Itchy sunburns can often be treated at home, but if severe itching disrupts your sleep or daily activities for more than two days, call your doctor since you may have a more serious condition of sun poisoning.
Best clothing with UPF protection
Our guides to the best sun protection clothing for men and women can help you protect your skin from the sun. Check out our picks:
- Best budget sun-protective clothing: Hanes' UPF-treated Cool Dri Shirt, from $16.82 on Amazon
- Best versatile sun-protective clothing: Filson Men's Ultra-Light SS Shirt, $88 on Moosejaw
- Best plus-size sun-protective clothing: Columbia PFG Button-Down Shirt, from $29.99 on Amazon
Insider's takeaway
When you get a sunburn, UV rays damage the top layer of skin, which can result in pain, itchiness, and peeling for several days after the initial burn.
If you're experiencing itchiness due to a sunburn, there are a few remedies that can help you find relief.
As soon as you know you got a sunburn, you should apply a cool compress to reduce the skin's temperature and tamp down on inflammation. It can also help to take a cool shower a bath. Add some colloidal oatmeal to your bath to soothe and moisturize your skin.
You'll need to make sure your skin stays moisturized, so slather on aloe vera and soy-based moisturizers regularly.
To treat the itching, you can try applying a cortisone cream or taking anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen.
It's also important to stay out of the sun while your skin heals. When going out, wear protective clothing to avoid causing further skin damage.