Sunburn
A sunburn is skin damage from too much ultraviolet light from the sun or tanning beds. Sunburn relief starts with cooling the skin, drinking fluids, and protecting it from more sun. Most sunburns heal on their own within a week.
What Is It
Sunburn can happen in as little as 15 minutes, even on cloudy days and in the winter on snow. Fair skin, children, and some medicines raise the risk. A severe sunburn with blisters, fever, and chills is sometimes called sun poisoning.
Symptoms
- Red, warm skin that is painful to touch
- Swelling
- Small blisters
- Itching as the skin heals
- Peeling a few days later
- Headache, fever, or chills with a bad burn
Not sure it’s a sunburn? A burn from heat, steam, or chemicals is covered under burns. Feeling dizzy, sweaty, and sick after time in the heat may be heat exhaustion.
Treatment
At your visit: A provider checks how deep and widespread the burn is and looks for dehydration or infection. Treatment eases pain, swelling, and itching, and large blisters need care. Fever or chills may point to heat illness.
At home:
- Take cool baths or showers and pat the skin dry
- Apply aloe or a fragrance free moisturizer
- Drink extra water for a few days
- Leave blisters alone and stay out of the sun
Mild sunburns heal in 3 to 5 days. Blistering burns can take 1 to 2 weeks.
When to Get Care for Sunburn
Most sunburns can be cared for at home. If you are not sure what it is, or it is not getting better, Vitality Urgent Care is here to answer your questions and advise the right treatment. No appointment is needed.
FAQ
What helps sunburn relief fast?
Cool baths, aloe, a fragrance free moisturizer, over the counter pain relievers, and extra fluids help sunburn relief fast. Keep the skin out of the sun while it heals.
How long does a sunburn last?
A mild sunburn lasts 3 to 5 days. A blistering sunburn can take 1 to 2 weeks to heal, and peeling may last a few more days.
Should I pop sunburn blisters?
No, do not pop sunburn blisters. They protect the skin underneath from infection. Let them break on their own, then keep the area clean and covered.
What is sun poisoning?
Sun poisoning is a severe sunburn with blisters, fever, chills, headache, or nausea. It is not true poisoning but may need care for pain and fluids.
Can urgent care treat a bad sunburn?
Yes, urgent care can treat a bad sunburn. At Vitality Urgent Care, a provider can check the burn and look for dehydration or heat illness.
Can a child get a bad sunburn?
Yes, children burn easily, and babies under 6 months should stay out of direct sun. Children with blisters, fever, or signs of dehydration should be checked.
Last reviewed October 2026
Care When You Need It Most
Walk in when you need us. Book ahead if you prefer. Our doors are open.
🕒 Open 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Buffalo Grove: 56 W Dundee Rd, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Mon-Fri: 8 AM - 8 PM | Sa -Sun: 8 AM - 4 PM
Lake Zurich: 480 S Rand Rd, Lake Zurich, IL 60047
Mon-Fri: 8 AM - 8 PM | Sat-Sun: 8 AM - 4 PM
JUST WALK-IN or Book Your Visit Online
Conditions We Treat:
- General Concussion and Minor Head InjuryMigraineDizziness and VertigoSwollen Lymph NodesTetanus ShotHigh Blood PressureHeat ExhaustionHeadachesSTDs and STI TestingMotion SicknessAllergic Reactions (Mild)FeverWork Injuries
- Respiratory Flu (Influenza)COVID-19: SARS CoV 2RSV: Respiratory Syncytial VirusPneumoniaBronchitisUpper Respiratory InfectionWhooping CoughAsthma and Wheezing
- Nose and Sinus Sinus InfectionNosebleedsPost Nasal DripSeasonal Allergies (Hay Fever)Stuffy NoseBroken Nose
- Mouth and Throat Strep ThroatCanker Sores and Mouth SoresTonsil StonesMono (Mononucleosis)Laryngitis and Lost VoiceOral ThrushSore ThroatTonsillitisPeritonsillar AbscessJaw PainToothache and Dental PainSwollen Uvula
- Kidney and Urinary Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)Kidney StonesKidney InfectionBlood in UrineCloudy UrineKidney PainFoamy UrineFrequent UrinationUTI in MenUTI in Children
- Bone and Joint Lower Back PainGoutTendonitis and Tennis ElbowKnee Pain and InjuryShoulder PainPlantar Fasciitis and Heel PainSprained AnkleNeck PainSciaticaHip PainBroken ToeSprained WristJammed FingerSprains and StrainsCar Accident InjuriesBroken Bones
- Stomach Concerns AppendicitisConstipationFood PoisoningAbdominal PainAcid Reflux and HeartburnStomach FluDiarrheaNausea and VomitingDehydrationHemorrhoids
- Skin BurnsRingwormImpetigoSplinters and Foreign ObjectsTick Bites and Lyme DiseaseRashes and Poison IvyShinglesAthlete’s FootIngrown ToenailHivesFrostbiteInsect Bites and StingsCuts and LacerationsCellulitisScabiesAbscess and BoilsCold SoresSunburnEczema FlareDog and Animal Bites
- Eye StyeBlepharitisPink Eye (Conjunctivitis)ChalazionCorneal Abrasion and Eye InjurySwollen EyelidBroken Blood Vessel in EyeBlack EyeEye Allergies
- Ear Ear InfectionEarwax BlockageSwimmer’s EarRuptured EardrumEaracheClogged Ear
- Kids CroupChickenpoxHand, Foot, and Mouth DiseaseFifth DiseaseHead LiceScarlet FeverPinwormsRashes in ChildrenStomach Pain in Children
- Women's Health Yeast InfectionBacterial Vaginosis (BV)Missed Period and Pregnancy TestingMastitisPelvic Pain in WomenMenstrual Cramps
- Men's Health Jock ItchEpididymitisHerniaProstatitisTesticular Pain
Book Appointment
