Sunburn treatment

Your MinuteClinic health care provider can examine your burn and discuss your symptoms and health history. They can also develop a personalized treatment plan and prescribe medication, if needed.

1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

   If you made your appointment online:
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic:
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

   If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
   To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and ZIP code to join the visit.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

MinuteClinic® providers are available to treat your sunburns by developing a personalized treatment and prescribing medicine. There are also some ways to help ease the pain of a sunburn at home, such as:

• Add colloidal oatmeal to your bath: This can help reduce inflammation and itching while the skin heals.
• Allow blisters to heal undisturbed and unruptured: This reduces the chances of infection.
• Anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium: These can help lower the pain and intensity of symptoms.
• Apply a cold, damp towel to your skin: This cools the affected area.
• Avoid skin creams or lotions that contain petroleum-based ingredients and anesthetics such as benzocaine and lidocaine: These ingredients can trap heat and irritate the skin.
• Avoid soap when washing affected areas: Soap may dry out and irritate sunburned skin.
• Periodically take cooling showers or baths: These can relieve pain, calm inflammation and promote healing.
• Skin moisturizers that contain aloe vera or soy: These can soothe sunburns.
• Stay well-hydrated by drinking extra water: This prevents dehydration resulting from the sunburn.

The best ways to treat a sunburn is to prevent it. Here are a few ways to help you avoid getting sunburns:

• Avoid direct sunlight during the day, especially between 10 AM and 2 PM: During these hours, the sun is at its highest intensity.
• Minimize or avoid the use of sunlamps and tanning beds: These are also sources of UV radiation.
• Wear clothing made from tightly woven fabrics: These fabrics can block light and reduce UV exposure to the skin.
• Wear sunglasses with 100% UV ray filtering: Protect your eyes.
• Wear sunscreen: Make sure it meets a minimum SPF rating of 15 or higher.