Sunburn

Sunburn is the damage caused to your skin when it is exposed to too much sun or its ultraviolet radiation. In the harsh Australian sun, it will just take minutes for a sunburn to occur if you are not cautious. This exposure damages skin cells and blood vessels, leading to redness, inflammation, pain, and, in severe cases, blistering and peeling. The skin’s natural response to UV damage is to increase melanin production, but when exposure exceeds this protective capability, sunburn occurs.

When to consult a doctor for sunburn?

If sunburn is severe or blistering

See a doctor if you have severe blistering, intense pain, or swelling that does not improve with home treatment, as this may indicate a serious burn.

If you have systemic symptoms or feel unwell

Seek medical attention if you develop fever, chills, weakness, dizziness, confusion, persistent headache, nausea, or vomiting, which may be signs of heat exhaustion or sun poisoning.

If the sunburn shows signs of infection

Consult a doctor if blistered areas become increasingly red, warm, swollen, or begin to ooze pus, as infected sunburn requires medical treatment.

This guide does not replace professional care. Consult a doctor to manage your symptoms. In emergencies, call 000. The content is research-backed & medically reviewed by Dr. Ammar AL-ANI, MBChB, CCBST, AMC

Symptoms

Depending on the exposure to the skin and how sensitive the skin is, sunburn symptoms can range from mild redness to severe blistering. Sunburn damage cannot be reversed, but symptoms can be managed to support healing. Extra skin protection while going out in the harsh sun of summer is necessary.

Here are some common symptoms to look out for:

Swelling and blistering

Redness and warm to touch

Pain, tenderness and discomfort in the burn area

Itching, peeling of skin and dryness

Fatigue, headaches and nausea

Fever

Confusion

Severe dehydration

When to seek emergency care

Call 000 or attend your nearest Emergency Department immediately if you or someone else experiences:

High body temperature above 39°C that is not coming down — this may indicate heat stroke, a life-threatening emergency
Confusion, disorientation, or loss of consciousness — signs of severe heat stroke or sun poisoning
Seizure — requires emergency assessment
Inability to keep any fluids down — especially in children, elderly, or in hot conditions
Sunburn covering a large area of the body — particularly in infants and young children
Blistering over a large body surface area — may require emergency wound care

Do not book a telehealth consultation for these presentations.

A Hola Health telehealth consultation is appropriate for mild to moderate sunburn, management of pain and inflammation, assessment for secondary infection, and general recovery advice. If you are unsure whether your symptoms require emergency care, call 000 — it is always safer to seek immediate help than to delay.

Telehealth for sunburn management

Hola Health provides a convenient way to consult an AHPRA-registered doctor online, 24/7 across Australia

Clinical note: An online GP assessment helps provide medical advice for your sunburn symptoms and evaluate if a face-to-face consultation or physical examination is needed. Online GPs can provide prescriptions, referrals or medical certificate online if clinically indicated. Telehealth is a complementary service; a physical assessment may be necessary to determine the depth of the burn or to treat secondary infections. Diagnosis and advice are highly dependent on the quality of provided clinical images. After-hours bulk billing is available for eligible patients during Medicare-defined periods; otherwise, private fees apply. Consultations are secure, encrypted, and Australian-stored (in compliance with the Australian Privacy Principles). In case of a high body temperature (above 39°C), confusion, seizure, inability to keep down fluids, or if the burn covers a large portion of the body (especially in children), call 000 immediately. We recommend sharing your consult summaries with your regular GP to ensure continuity of care.