Sunburn Medication

  • Author: Christopher M McStay, MD; Chief Editor: Rick Kulkarni, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 18, 2010
 

Medication Summary

The symptoms of minor sunburn can be relieved to some extent with cool compresses or a cool bath. Administration of nonprescription analgesics and NSAIDs for the treatment of pain and inflammation is recommended.

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Analgesic Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug

Class Summary

These medications can reduce the pain and inflammation associated with sunburn.

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Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn)

 

For relief of mild to moderate pain; inhibits inflammatory reactions and pain by decreasing activity of cyclooxygenase, which results in a decrease of prostaglandin synthesis.

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Aspirin (Bayer, Anacin, Bufferin)

 

Used for the treatment of mild to moderate pain. Also acts on the hypothalamus heat-regulating center to reduce fever.

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Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin)

 

Usually the DOC for the treatment of mild to moderate pain, if no contraindications are present.

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Analgesic, Miscellaneous

Class Summary

These agents are used to decrease the pain associated with sunburn.

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Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Aspirin-Free Anacin, Feverall, Tempra)

 

DOC for pain in patients with documented hypersensitivity to aspirin or NSAIDs, in those with upper GI disease, or in those who are taking oral anticoagulants.

Effective in relieving mild to moderate acute pain; however, has no peripheral anti-inflammatory effects. May be preferred in elderly patients because of fewer GI and renal side effects.

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Corticosteroids

Class Summary

Because they modify the body's immune response, corticosteroids are thought to decrease erythema and shorten the course of sunburn.

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Prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, Meticorten)

 

May decrease inflammation by reversing increased capillary permeability and suppressing PMN activity.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Christopher M McStay, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital Center

Christopher M McStay, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians and Wilderness Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Ershad Elahi, MD  Resident Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Bellevue Hospital Center, New York

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

James Li, MD  Former Assistant Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Board of Directors, Remote Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

A Antoine Kazzi  MD, Deputy Chief of Staff, American University of Beirut Medical Center; Associate Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon

A Antoine Kazzi is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Rick Kulkarni, MD  Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Rick Kulkarni, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: WebMD Salary Employment

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author, Amy Caron, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

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Note the apoptotic sunburn cells in the epidermis. Photograph courtesy of David Shum, MD, Division of Dermatology, University of Western Ontario.
Acute sunburn of face after a soccer match in a 15 year-old female.
Subacute sunburn of shoulder with peeling in a 21-year-old male.
Table. Fitzpatrick Skin Types and Recommended Sunscreen Sun Protection Factor (SPF) Levels[13, 2, 14]
Skin Type Description Skin Color Routine SPF SPF for Outdoor Activity
IAlways burns, never tansWhite1525-30
IIAlways burns, tans minimallyWhite12-1525-30
IIIBurns minimally, tans slowlyWhite8-1015
IVBurns minimally, tans wellOlive6-8 15
VRarely burns, tans profusely/darklyBrown6-815
VIRarely burns, always tansBlack6-815
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