Ever wondered how to soothe sunburn itch? It’s literally the worst thing about sunburns. Like, it’s non-stop. It feels like ants crawling under your skin while someone runs sandpaper over it. You just want to scratch the whole damn thing off, but that just makes things worse. *sighs*
And the worst part? No one really warns you about it. People talk about the sting, the peeling, the redness… but the itch? That’s the silent villain of the whole sunburn drama. Let’s talk about what’s actually going on and how to shut it down before you lose your mind (or your skin).
Why Do Surnburns Itch?
An itch is a sensation that arises from an irritation. It’s your skin’s way of letting you know that your skin is under attack so you can do something about it. In the case of sunburn, UV rays are attacking your skin. They made it past your skin’s defences, irritating your skin and doing a lot of damage in the process.
A lot of this damage happened to the surface of your skin, which is full of c-fibres. C-fibres are special nerves that respond to mechanical stimulus such as pressure, certain chemicals, or heat and make your skin itch.
And then your body’s like, “Cool, let’s just add some histamines to the mix” – you know, the same crap that makes you itch when you’ve got hay fever or a rash or whatever. So now your skin’s not just burned, it’s itchy on purpose. Thanks, body.
In other words, C-fibres protect you by letting us know that something is wrong. An example? When you have an insect crawling on your skin (eww!), C-fibres make your skin itch to let you know to get the little bugger off.
And don’t even get me started on the peeling. Once your skin starts flaking off like parmesan cheese, it’s game over. Everything’s tight and dry and crawling and it’s like, do I shed my entire body and start over?
But getting rid of the itch from sunburns ain’t that easy.
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How Do You Soothe Sunburn Itch?
Two ways:
- Colloidal oatmeal baths: Colloidal oatmeal is rich in different types of phenols that give it both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Add some of the powder to your bath and you’ll relive the itch instantly.
- Soothing lotions: Apply a gentle and soothing moisturizer with anti-inflammatory ingredients like colloidal oatmeal (yes, again!), aloe vera or allantoin. For an even more soothing effect, keep it in the fridge for a couple of hours before application.
OTHER THINGS THAT CAN HELP
You can also pop an antihistamine if the itch is really driving you nuts. Nothing fancy, just whatever allergy stuff you’ve got lying around. Claritin, Benadryl, whatever. It won’t fix the burn, but it can chill the itch enough so you’re not tearing your skin off in public. (Obviously don’t be an idiot – check the label, don’t mix it with other stuff, you know the drill.)
Also, DO NOT take a hot shower. I know it feels like a hug, but nope. That just makes the itch worse and dries you out even more. Lukewarm only, and for the love of god, no fruity perfumed soap that smells like mango cupcakes. Your skin’s already mad, don’t poke the bear. Use something boring and bland until it stops screaming.
And clothes? Think soft. Baggy. Nothing tight, nothing scratchy, nothing with seams in annoying places. That one bra strap that always digs in? Rip it off. Go full gremlin in a giant t-shirt and call it healing.
Related: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Colloidal Oatmeal
What Are The Best Products To Stop An Itchy Sunburn?
- Aveeno Soothing Oatmeal Bath Treatment For Itchy, Dry Skin($7.57): Single use bath packets to relieve itchy sunburns and irritations. Available at Walmart
- Niod Modulating Glucosides (£27.00): It relieves sunburns and irritations. Available at Brown Thomas, Look Fantastic, Niod, and Selfridges
- Isntree Aloe Soothing Gel Moisture Type (£9.67): It has a big dollop of soothing aloe vera and antioxidants to calm down itchy and irritated skin. Available at Stylevana and Yes Style
Why Does My Sunburn Itch More At Night?
Because of course it does. You were fine-ish all day, and then BAM, it’s 9pm, you’re horizontal, and suddenly your entire body is like “let’s itch now, thanks.” Part of it is that you finally slowed down. No work, no scrolling, no distractions. Just you, your fried skin, and your brain screaming at full volume.
And also? Your body temp rises at night. It’s a thing. So now you’re hotter, itchier, and stuck to your sheets like a regretful little baked potato. Bonus points if your bedsheets are scratchy or tight. (Seriously, why do fitted sheets hate us?)
If you want to survive the night: fan on. PJs off. Ice pack nearby. Maybe even sleep half-wrapped in a damp towel like some sort of cursed spa ghost. Whatever works.
Can You Stop The Itch Before It Even Starts?
Kinda – but you’ve gotta move fast. Like, immediately. The second you notice your skin going pink, run. Not walk-inside, jump in a cool shower, and start slathering your body in anything calming and gooey. Aloe, oatmeal, yoghurt, mashed cucumber, your weird cousin’s eczema cream… whatever. The goal is: chill it down and keep it soaked. The more hydrated and calm your skin stays, the less likely it’ll go full rage mode later.
Also: water. Chug it. You’re a cactus now. Sunburn sucks the hydration out of you like you’ve been stranded in the desert for six hours and slapped by the sun. If you want to heal faster and itch less, drink until you’re peeing every ten minutes. No exceptions.
When Should You Be Like, “Okay This Is Actually Bad”?
Most of the time, it’s just annoying. But if you’re itchy and feeling like death (fever, chills, nausea, huge blisters, weird swelling) that’s not just a bad sunburn, that’s your body waving a big red “help me” flag. Sun poisoning is real, and you need a doctor, not a Pinterest DIY oatmeal bath.
Also, if the itch just won’t quit after a week, or keeps getting worse instead of better, something’s up. Could be an allergic reaction. Could be your skin’s like “never put me in the sun again or I’ll riot.” Either way, have someone look at it.
The Bottom Line
Sunburn itch is evil. It shows up late, overstays its welcome, and ruins your sleep, your clothes, your mood, and maybe your will to live. But if you hit it with the right stuff (cold things, gooey things, antihistamines, loose clothes, water), you can survive it without scratching off your entire body like a lizard in crisis. And next time? Sunscreen like it’s your religion. Trust issues are temporary. Sunburn itch is eternal.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
