When to Seek Medical Care

If you feel your sunburn is severe enough, call your doctor. You most likely will be asked how severe your condition is and if you have any other significant health problems. The doctor can then make the decision to treat you at home or in the office or refer you to an emergency department.

Conditions that should motivate you to go to a hospital's emergency department include the following:

• Severe pain
   

• Severe blistering
  
  
• Headache
  
  
• Confusion
  
  
• Nausea or vomiting
  
  
• Fainting
  
  
• An acute problem with another medical condition