Sunburn causes itchiness due to skin inflammation from UV damage. Cool compresses and aloe vera may soothe it.1

1. Apply Cool Compresses

The first step in treating sunburn is cooling the skin. Apply a cool compress for quick relief or take a cool shower. However, limit shower time to avoid drying out your skin. Avoid harsh soaps too.2

2. Drink Plenty of Water

With a sunburn, your body draws fluid to your skin's surface, leading to dehydration and dry, itchy skin. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to prevent itchiness3

3. Take Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Consider taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. These medications can help ease discomfort and lower inflammation from the sunburn.2

4. Moisturize Your Skin

Apply a gentle moisturizer after a shower or bath, while your skin is still damp. Look for products with aloe vera or soy to help soothe your sunburned skin and related itching. Calamine lotion can also help to reduce itching.32

Also, use petroleum jelly on any blisters that develop to protect them from damage while your skin heals.32

5. Use Baking Soda

People with eczema sometimes use baking soda to relieve itchiness. It may also be helpful for sunburn. Baking soda has mild anti-inflammatory and pH-balancing abilities, meaning it could help soothe skin.4

To use baking soda for sunburn, add 1/4 cup to a lukewarm bath. You can also make a paste by mixing three parts baking soda with one part water in a small bowl, then applying it to your skin. Use baking soda sparingly to avoid drying skin and never on broken skin.4

6. Take Oral Antihistamines

Over-the-counter antihistamines like Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Claritin (loratadine) may help calm your skin and reduce its inflammation. Some of the itching from your sunburn could be due to the histamine your body produces in response to UV damage.56 Talk with a healthcare provider to see if taking an antihistamine might help your condition.

7. Try Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera plants contain a gel that can be particularly soothing for sunburned skin. The gel helps moisturize your skin and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help heal damaged skin. Research has found that aloe vera may even help heal first- and second-degree burns.67

8. Take a Lukewarm Oatmeal Bath

Oatmeal is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. It may also help reduce itchiness and soothe irritated skin. People with eczema often use oatmeal baths to calm the skin and reduce itchiness, and it may provide the same relief from an itchy sunburn.38

To make an oatmeal bath, add a scoop of colloidal oatmeal (finely ground oats) to a tub with lukewarm water. Allow the oats to dissolve, and then soak in the bath for about 10-15 minutes. After, gently pat your skin dry and apply a moisturizer all over.9

9. Avoid the Sun

Once your skin is sunburned, you should avoid the sun until it heals. This will prevent further skin damage. Plus, deepening your sunburn could lead to more severe itching and a deeper burn.6 If you have to be in the sun because of work or another obligation, cover your skin with loose, cotton clothing and wear sunscreen.10

10. Apply Steroid Creams

You can try using a cortisone cream to reduce your itching. These steroid creams will reduce inflammation. Creams with added vitamin C or E will also help prevent further skin damage.10

You may want to avoid products that contain benzocaine or lidocaine. Some people experience allergies to these medications, and they may make your sunburn worse.10

11. Take Vitamin D

Early research shows high doses of vitamin D3 may help reduce skin inflammation after a sunburn.11 A test-tube study suggests it may also reduce skin redness.12

However, more research is needed to understand the effects of vitamin D on sunburn. Make sure to talk to your doctor before taking high doses of vitamin D.

How Can You Prevent a Sunburn?

The best way to manage sunburn is to prevent it, especially if you are predisposed to it. People with a higher risk of sunburn have an increased risk of getting skin cancer. Also, research shows that getting just one blistering sunburn when you are a child or a teen more than doubles your chances of developing melanoma later in life.2

Here are a few tips to prevent sunburns:61314

• Seek shade when your shadow is shorter than you.
• Avoid the sun when the rays are strongest (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.).
• Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
• Put sunscreen on 15-30 minutes before going outside.
• Make it a habit to wear sunscreen every day.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours when you are outside.
• Use protective clothing, hats, and umbrellas for sun protection.
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays and prevent cataracts.

When To See a Healthcare Provider

A sunburn might not seem like a big deal, but it needs to be watched closely. Some sunburns morph into a deeper burn requiring immediate medical attention. In serious cases, you may need fluid replacement and pain medications.6

If your sunburn is getting redder, the itch is getting worse, or the burn covers more than 20% of your body, you should see a healthcare provider. Also, get medical attention if you have a fever, chills, pus, swelling, yellowing of the skin, or nausea along with your sunburn.315

In extreme cases, itchiness from a sunburn may actually be "hell's itch," a severe skin response to sun exposure that's not a sunburn.1

A dermatologist can determine whether you have a skin infection or another issue causing your discomfort. They can make recommendations or prescribe medications to make you feel more comfortable.3

American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to treat a sunburn.