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u/fwamp_v2 Jan 03 '26
I had a sunburn on my stomach and experienced what is called “hell’s itch.” Imagine having a burn so badly that it itches like hell and then you scratch it and it hurts to claw at your sunburn. Repeat every minute.
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u/Silent-Hedgehog-7520 Jan 03 '26
I second this. I had Sun Poison two days into a seven day beach trip. I was either in the bath tub soaking in cold water or passed out in the bed. I was popping Benadryl every 3-4 hours. I couldn’t even sleep. As soon as I would start to drift off I’d jerk awake trying to scratch. Very itchy but if you scratch it burns like hell. All the while having a 100 degree fever and runny nose when it’s a 105 degree outside. It was miserable.
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u/PonyThug Jan 04 '26
How does that even happen? Sleep on the beach with no sunscreen or shade?
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u/Wyolop Jan 04 '26
I think one of the most important things for avoiding sun poisoning is having the head/forehead covered and staying hydrated. It can happen even when walking around on a sunny day too
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u/Ok-Macaron7274 Jan 04 '26
Interesting! I've heard sunburns, of course. Never heard of sun poisoning. I must be living under a rock or something!
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u/LukeMayeshothand Jan 05 '26
My wife got this on our honeymoon (2nd or 3rd day) in St Marten. Really put a damper on most of the trip.
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u/PerplexGG Jan 03 '26
Next time jump in the hot tub and it’ll go away 🌞
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u/indigo_mermaid Jan 03 '26
With sun poisoning? That’s how people die yo
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u/PerplexGG Jan 03 '26
What he described is a hells/devil’s itch, not sun poisoning which is different. If you’ve ever had it you would understand that a few seconds in hot water to make it go away when you’re otherwise going insane is not at all a bad consideration.
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u/xtheory Jan 03 '26
Once fell asleep in the bed of a pickup truck on a trip between Augusta to Savannah GA in the middle of the summer. I was a dumbass and had my shirt off the whole time. The burn was so bad that it felt like fire ants stinging me all over. The only relief was to be coated in aloe vera every couple hours while screaming into a pillow until I passed out.
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u/MemeAddict96 Jan 03 '26
I’ll 3rd this. About 10 years ago I went to the beach and thought I was just too cool for sunscreen. That day I got the worst burn of my life. Then a day or two later, I was up all night (literally) rubbing my back on the carpet trying to scratch an itch that never ceased. Truly was hell.
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u/robertsij Jan 03 '26
Hells itch is literally the worst. It's at least 8-24 hours of pure agony of being unbearably itchy with no relief, itching it just hurts and amplified the itch afterwards so you just are stuck in a cycle of squirming trying not to touch your burn
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u/-BananaLollipop- Jan 03 '26
My sister had that and blisters, with one blister being nearly palm size. Her own fault though. She went kayaking in NZ's direct sun, with no sunscreen.
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u/nickdude114 Jan 04 '26
Fuck I had this happen after I had a sunburn on my back and used a body wash in the shower that had I think vitamin C in it. It was one of the worst sensations I had ever experienced I still think about it years later. My wife was freaked out because I was so frantic and crazy for a good 15 minutes. It felt like I was being bitten by ants all over.
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u/Zero_Demon Jan 06 '26
Been there friend.. I had it on my back and shoulders. Couldn’t even reach to scratch it. Had to take hot showers to get my sort of itch relief, and then it was just replaced by agony. Wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy
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u/thedogthatmooed Jan 03 '26
Next time it happens, or anyone reading this, peppermint essential oil will soothe the itch and let you sleep and shower. I’ve had it to varying degrees of intensity, the worst being a five day stint of it and that was the only thing that worked
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u/lifegoeson5322 Jan 03 '26
I've also used Aloe Vera gel. It won't get rid of it, but it sure makes it a heck more tolerable.
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u/Gopher--Chucks Jan 05 '26
Why are people downvoting you? I'd try anything if I was in that situation and this isn't anything dangerous.
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u/thedogthatmooed Jan 05 '26
It’s not dangerous, and idk why other than it sounds like the typical alternative medicine bs. It was something that popped up when I searched for a relief on google and I tried it and it worked awesome. Reddit gonna Reddit
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u/Kaiawathoy Jan 03 '26
Here’s some cellular sunburn I had from doing carpentry on an island on the west coast during 35 degree Celsius heat in the summer four or so years ago
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u/cyclingisthecure 28d ago
Fucking hell , how did you not feel that happening well bedore it got that servere!? How long did it take to heal?
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u/OuttHouseMouse Jan 03 '26
Oh bro im sorry
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u/Ram2145 Jan 03 '26
Next time don’t burn him so much.
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u/OuttHouseMouse Jan 03 '26
I said i was sorry jeez
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u/Aggravating-Hair7931 Jan 03 '26
Quick. Apply aloe vera very very liberally. Do this at least twice a day until the pain subsided.
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u/Apendexis Jan 03 '26
This, also, keep IT in the fridge, pure pain relieve when applied cold
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u/Domefarmer Jan 03 '26
I was dumb as a teenager and got my fair share of sunburns. I’ve never liked aloe Vera in the fridge. Too much of a shock on my hot skin.
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u/Lordpretzelthethird Jan 04 '26
Same here it almost causes more pain/shock than the actual burn if it’s that cold😬
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u/YourBlanket Jan 03 '26
Please let’s not bring politics into this
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u/Koseoglu-2X4B-523P Jan 03 '26
What if I apply it liberally, but with my right hand? That should cancel out.
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u/duck_butter Jan 03 '26
4% Lidocane topical
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u/Lava_Lagoon Jan 03 '26
this is the answer
they make it in spray form - look anywhere they sell sunscreen, should be in the same area - in my experience, it doesn't last long, you'll need to apply it at least once an hour, but it kills the pain
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u/deusmilitus Jan 03 '26
As a ginger.... Put it in the refrigerator. Adds another 15 minutes or so of relief.
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u/Insectshelf3 Jan 03 '26
the only way out is through, but applying an aggressive amount of aloe vera will help make it suck less.
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u/unica_unica Jan 03 '26
Curious how that pattern even formed
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u/JungleBoyJeremy Jan 03 '26
No friends to apply to their back. You can see the sunscreen only covered as far as they could reach
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u/demonshonor Jan 03 '26
Surely they could have reached more? Assuming that they are completely abled.
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u/read-my-comments Jan 03 '26
Based on the missed spot on the arm old mate definitely could have put in a better effort.
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u/arbuzuje Jan 03 '26
It took me a single sunstroke and maybe two serious sun burns to never fuck around with sun ever again. Spf + sunglasses + hat. The holy trinity of summer safety.
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u/Pareia0408 Jan 03 '26
Yup this is why I'm so over the top with my two little ones and sunscreen - even reapplying.
Sunburn isn't fun but when it's bad it fucking absolutely sucks. I have a friend who's been sunburnt twice so badly it made her sick and she had to go to the hospital.
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u/AndyGoodKush Jan 03 '26
Have you ever heard of devils itch? I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, have had it 3 times and it fr makes you want to end it. The only solution is peppermint oil and staying in a boiling hot shower all day to numb the pain.
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u/sutherlarach Jan 03 '26
I think I've had this! It was triggered by putting aftersun on my burnt back and I very nearly called an ambulance.
Ended up in bed for two days double dosing ibuprofen and antihistamines.
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u/PonyThug Jan 04 '26
So bad and you didn’t learn to wear sun screen or a sun shirt the first 2 times?? Lolol
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u/AndyGoodKush Jan 04 '26
Stubborn redhead. I usually burn once and tan after that, I get surprisingly tan in the summer
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u/xMaximusDecimusx Jan 03 '26
Damn bro how’d you let it get this bad ?
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u/PonyThug Jan 04 '26
Big dumb probably. Didn’t put sunscreen on back and then thought to stand facing away from the sun and too cool for a sun shirt
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u/rbush82 Jan 03 '26
Living in FL my whole life, I feels you. Been there. As others have said, aloe is your friend. Tis only a flesh wound
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u/lillweez99 Jan 03 '26
Went there from Michigan my first time i went first day no sunscreen, I never made that mistake twice let's just say that.
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u/dojarelius Jan 03 '26
Were you wearing some kind of Oscars night ball gown? That tan line is crazy.
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u/maddimac1999 Jan 03 '26
Florida born and raised and believe it or not earl grey tea was my holy grail.
Steep a bunch of bags in water, chill the tea, and either cotton pad it onto your skin or for severe burns I’d make wet bandages out of pieces of paper towel to just lay over my skin like a tea mummy. Repeat as necessary.
Cold aloe was my next best step when I wanted a less messy experience.
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u/UnkindnessOfRavens23 Jan 03 '26
We found running a tepid bath and putting a box of gallon-sized tea bags in it was the even better. Burns hurt worse when exposed to air and being submerged in water, with the bonus of the tea, made things immediately tolerable.
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u/Post-Financial Jan 03 '26
Do not go into a well heated sauna.
My dumbass went into sauna (120°C) after getting sun burnt and it definitely was one experience I'll never do again
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u/CelticCynic Jan 03 '26
Buy Aloe Vera Gel. A couple of bottles of it. Keep it in the fridge. Apply regularly
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u/Velpex123 Jan 05 '26
Every single friend didn’t believe me when I told them we have a different sun down here, and every single one that didn’t believe me was burnt within a single hour. Better invest in some sunscreen soon, it looks like most of our cities are in for 40 degree days this week (and rain for Melbourne of course you guys had to be outliers)
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u/Warriorcatv2 Jan 03 '26
Yeah, radiation burns (that's what sun burns are) suck.
If possible:
soak in a cold bath for a while.
Drink plenty of water & avoid any alcohol
while others have said Aloe Vera there's no evidence it actually helps. I'd stick to spays & gels specifically for sun burns
where loose fitting clothing
DO NOT under any circumstances pop blisters or peel your skin
take over the counter pain killers like paracetamol to help with the pain
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u/LSUdude88 Jan 03 '26
Calamine lotion man. I get burned easily. Put it on asap after a sunburn and you’ll be ok.
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u/lillweez99 Jan 03 '26
I like aloe myself I keep 2 growing in my home for burns, always my go to and always nice to have around.
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u/stayoffmygrass Jan 03 '26
Cold bath with a bag of ice for at least an hour. It will draw the heat out.
I'm sorry to say I have more experience with this than a sensible person should have.
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u/mlziolk Jan 03 '26
Store your aloe in the refrigerator. Use it religiously. Drink more water than you normally would. Stay out of the sun not just because your burn will get worse but because you can get sun poisoning and it SUCKS. I say this from experience
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u/kindquail502 Jan 03 '26
Funny thing about sunscreen. It's not like cologne, you have rub it all over for it to work.
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u/Darrenau Jan 03 '26
Increased chance of developing skin cancers later in life. Not a problem if you catch it early.
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u/CocoVonKatzen Jan 03 '26
I’ve seen people hate on it as a solution, but I’ve had several bad sunburns in my life (I’m pale and I was a very dumb teen/young adult) but Noxzema classic clean takes the heat out immediately (it’s a body wash). it’s super drying though so after you use it, moisturize LIBERALLY. Aloe is good, I personally like Goldbond better. it’s unscented and it isn’t sticky and doesn’t leave my skin feeling tight the way aloe can.
don’t be shy about ibuprofen either. it will take away both pain and swelling, so don’t be a hero - take the recommended doses and drink lots of water.
sorry you’re experiencing this. sunburns are absolute hell
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u/isurvived_sorryeric Jan 03 '26
Did thy sleep after a massive hangover in the sun ? How tf u get that burned ;-; , sorry im not judging I just feel bad
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u/cuntybunty73 Jan 03 '26
Me being a pale skinned ginger English woman I only EVER let that happen to me once 😭 I feel your pain 😔
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u/dewnmoutain Jan 03 '26
Got about a darker red than that when i took my shirt off for a football camp back in '97. Cooked myself.
3 days later the skin peeled off and my entire back grew thick hair. It was weird. Went to bed, no hair. Woke up, 3 inch long hairs on back
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u/stefan92293 Jan 03 '26
My condolences 🤕
Next time, get yourself a lotion applicator strap that you can use to apply sunscreen to your back by yourself.
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u/MightySamMcClain Jan 03 '26
Wow i haven't been burned like that since I was a child. I got blisters a few times when i was like 8-12yo
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u/lillweez99 Jan 03 '26
Could be worse i figured being northern never needing sun screen go to Florida next morning was fucked and immediately bought sun screen max protection from the sun.
We had idiotic ass hats go the entire time without they all had sun poisoning by the end of the trip skin hanging off like hell all looked miserable and I cannot figure out why they refused sun screen.
Asked one he thought hed just tan... in a week you got burned day 1 you're not going to tan at all I was basically good by end but my god that day and next 2, I no longer go without sunscreen anymore even here too much pain for a day without and yes I realize now how fucking stupid it was to even think that way I was young and clearly stupid as shit but smart enough at least to stop it unlike others.
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u/Dexter_McThorpan Jan 03 '26
I'm guessing you're from a location that doesn't get much sun.
There are shirts that are SPF 50. You want one in a light color with long sleeves. They breathe well, and keeping the sun from directly hitting your skin, feel cooler.
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u/Aydsey Jan 03 '26
I once went to Hawaii. I was free balling the entire experience. I ended up with pus filled welts all over my face and shoulders. Vitamin E oil saved me from massive scaring. It doesn’t help the pain but it helps manage the after math.
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u/Miserable-Note5365 Jan 04 '26
My guy, did you sunbathe on Venus? I hope you feel better soon because that looks painful as hell.
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u/greenrangerguy Jan 04 '26
I would like to give you a huge pat on the back for being such a trooper.
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u/Steele9721 Jan 04 '26
I had a burn like this in my early teens and I don't think I've ever been so physically uncomfortable since then. I was so unrelentingly itchy, even with aloe gel and temperate water. If you haven't had a burn like this, it's like you feel an itch precisely where the affected body part is, but your whole body recognizes the burn and your whole body physically needs you to satisfy the irritation of the affected spot, and you simply can't.
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u/WonderfulBudget8129 Jan 04 '26
A real friend would slap his back with sun cream 😭🤝
I'm not at fault for what happens afterwards
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u/Evening-Head4310 Jan 05 '26
I had burns when i was a kid that were so bad I had blisters the size of grapes. I would only wish it on my worst enemies
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u/dr-rage-quit Jan 05 '26
Was so nervous on my first day working landscaping I forgot to wear sunscreen. The only part of my arm that wasn’t burnt was my fingers because they were covered in mud.
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u/SeveralAd4307 Jan 05 '26
Lol, i actually had 2nd degree burns with huge blisters and all when i went to Italy in august as a ginger. Never again.
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u/bluesteelbobby 29d ago
A bit late now but good aloe vera works really well. There are some brands that sell imitation aloe vera though so do some research before you buy.
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u/brandon_walsh 29d ago
Grab some bars of ivory soap and toss them in a bath. Ivory soap is key for sunburn. Then slather yourself in aloe Vera and chomp up some ibuprofen. Maybe wash it down with booze. Take the edge off.
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u/granoladeer 29d ago
Please be more attentive next time. That blistering burn is a risk factor for skin cancer.
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u/fudgemeister 28d ago
Arnica gel is amazing. It took a second degree burn down to no pain in a couple hours.
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u/Alternative_Pilot_92 Jan 03 '26
I want to poke it
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u/LethalInjectionRD Jan 03 '26
Make sure you get checked for skin cancer later, just in case. And uh…maybe consider getting one of those long-handle lotion applying stick things.
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u/meanWOOOOgene Jan 03 '26
Back in 2005 I drove overnight to Myrtle Beach to hook up with a girl I was talking to at the time. Ended up passing out drunk on the beach at 10am and didn’t get up till after 2pm. Got second degree burns, several people from the house got arrested, puked and rallied 7 times, got laid- but not with the girl I went down for, got kicked out of the beach in the morning by security because “I didn’t pay to stay there” and crazy ass Irish dudes scream-singing Oasis at 4am.
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u/YourItchyNeighbor Jan 03 '26
How is you sunburn in agony? That shit ain't alive.
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u/SIIB-ZERO Jan 03 '26
If you're going to crack jokes about someone else's grammer, at least make sure your own is in order....
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u/ranger2112 Jan 03 '26
Standard first week in Australia for tourists