Anytime the sun is out, sunburn can happen. However, not all sunburns are created equal and severe sunburns shouldn’t be taken lightly. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), symptoms of a sunburn don’t usually appear until a couple hours after sun exposure. If your burn is red, warm and mildly painful, you can treat it yourself. The AAP recommends applying cool compresses and aloe vera to affected areas, and taking acetaminophen (brand name Tylenol) to help reduce symptoms. If your sunburn is accompanied by blisters, fever, chills, headache or you start feeling ill, call your doctor immediately. Sunburns can lead to dehydration and heat-related injuries, according to the AAP.
