Conditions
Sunburn
You make enjoy eating lobster, but you certainly won’t enjoy looking like one. Sunburn is caused by ultraviolet (UV) light overheating and blistering your skin. Your skin produces melanin to protect itself against the sun’s harmful rays, but though you see this as suntan, it cannot protect you against the sun’s other harmful side effects, such as premature ageing and skin cancer. Whilst redness and blistering of the skin are common, sunburn can also cause dizziness and headaches, as well as making you feel sick and lethargic. This is not the best way to spend your holiday. If you’ve already baked yourself and are looking for treatment then you should cool the skin by sponging it with tepid water and drink plenty of water to replace the lost fluid. You can also apply moisturiser and after sun cream to relieve the tightness, but if your burn is severe you may need to see your GP.
Comments and Questions
You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
im 15 and i hate hot weather and the sun its hard for me to go out in the sun as i burn easyily, i even burn under certain lights witch means i have to wear sunscreen everyday. i tend to cover up when i am in the sun witch is unconftible but i have to as even with sunscreen on i tend to blister and burn. my mum says its due to my pale skin but surely i shouldnt burn under normal house lights. this is really effecting my self esteam even though i try not to care its hard when you have blisters under yous eyes and cheeks. is this normal to burn under house hold lights and is it due to my fair skin? or is something wrong with me?
I have a question. I went abroad on holiday in the summer, it was the first time i have been abroad. I did but sunscreen on but may have not but enough on.My arms got burn badly and peeled really bad. I have now got really bad scars all over my arms that are very embarrasing. I am 14 and will now never show my arms, is they any thing i can do to help?
hiyaa . am 15 and i really love having a tan and started when i was 12 and i had one a week now am on 3 a day. But i dont no how to stop becasue i love going on them. my mum says my health is really bad cause i smoke aswell. how bad is this ? and what should i do about it ?
I got a question. I have noticed a brown mole on the side of my face, the past week its got raised, itchy, clear fluid comming out and uncomfortable. I think im may be worrying about nothing but ive researched it on other websites and its made me really worried. I do have fair skin and freckals. Im off to the docs tomorrow with it but in the mean time perhaps you could help.
I used to use sun beds twice a week now I have broken veins on my face. What can I do to get rid of them safetly?
hello, im 15 years of age and im going on holiday next year in July, i dont know which sunscreen to use to protect my skin as i have red hair and fair skin! any help?
Hello, I recently went to Greece and used factor 20 suncare lotion, I feel asleep in the sun for 4 hours and then my leg went very dark and burnt. I had a massive scab from it, picked it a bit and now I have white blothces on my breast and down my leg and has left a dent in my leg, is this skin pigmentation? I really don't like it, I am using bio-oil I hope this helps, to reduce it or get rid of it I heard it may go away as I'm only 20. Please help. Thank you
im 14 and i have had trouble with sunburn most of my life as i have very sensitive skin. i use suncream with a high factor but i still manage to get burnt. when i do, i find it very hard to get rid of even when i use after sun. i find it extremely painful when it occures and oftern find it spoils my day. i wondered if there is suncream that can help protect me more and if i do get sunburnt, how can i get rid of it easier. thanks.
hi there im a 19yo girl and iv recently noticed a small (about 3mm)brown lump on my shoulder. im hardley out in the sun. i gave it a bit of a pick and it bled quite alot so im not sure if i should make a big thing of it or not
Hey Im 17 and just come back from tenerife it was 35 degrees out there and i have got very bad sunburn i normally get it as iv got fair skin but i always put loation on properly and regulary and i have very bad sunburn on my left boob and its on a scar from chickin poks and its gone very deep and its all pussy and bleeding and its very itchy and sor wat should i do ?..xx
Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here

The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.