Sunburn & Heatstroke in Spain: Treatment, Prevention & When to Call a Doctor
Got sunburn or heatstroke in Spain? A doctor explains severity levels, treatment at your hotel, pharmacy options, and when you need medical attention.
For sunburn in Spain, get out of the sun, cool the skin with a lukewarm shower, drink 2-3 litres of water, take ibuprofen and paracetamol, and moisturise with aloe vera or Biafine without popping blisters. See a doctor for extensive blistering, fever, chills, or confusion. Heatstroke — temperature above 40°C, hot DRY skin, confusion — is a medical emergency: call 112 immediately. The combination of heat, alcohol, and sun exposure is the #1 reason tourists need medical care on the coast.
Why is Spain's sun stronger than you think?
Spain's UV index hits 9-12 between June and September — enough to cause visible sunburn in 10-15 minutes on unprotected skin. Tourists from Northern Europe and the UK are particularly vulnerable because their skin isn't adapted to this intensity. The combination of heat + alcohol + dehydration + sun exposure is the #1 reason tourists need medical care in Spanish coastal resorts.
How severe is my sunburn — what are the levels?
Sunburn has three severity levels: mild (Grade 1: red skin and slight discomfort, heals in 3-5 days with pharmacy products), moderate (Grade 2: painful red skin with some blistering, 7-10 days), and severe (Grade 3: extensive blistering, intense pain, fever — see a doctor). Sun poisoning adds a systemic reaction needing medical attention.
Mild (Grade 1): Red skin, warm to touch, slight discomfort. Treats itself in 3-5 days. Pharmacy products sufficient.
Moderate (Grade 2): Painful red skin, some blistering, swelling. May need prescription cream. Takes 7-10 days. Consider seeing a doctor.
Severe (Grade 3): Extensive blistering, intense pain, fever, chills, nausea. See a doctor. Risk of infection and scarring.
Sun poisoning: Severe sunburn + systemic reaction: high fever (>39°C), headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness. Medical attention required.
How do I treat sunburn at my hotel?
To treat sunburn at your hotel, get out of the sun into air-conditioning, cool the skin with a lukewarm (not cold) shower or damp towels for 15-20 minutes, drink 2-3 litres of water, take ibuprofen 400mg and paracetamol 1g for pain, and moisturise with aloe vera or Biafine. Don't pop blisters.
- Get out of the sun immediately. Into air-conditioning if possible.
- Cool the skin: lukewarm (not cold) shower or damp towels for 15-20 minutes
- Hydrate: drink 2-3 litres of water over the next few hours
- Pain relief: ibuprofen 400mg (reduces inflammation) + paracetamol 1g
- Moisturise: aloe vera gel or Biafine cream (pharmacy staple in Spain)
- Don't pop blisters — infection risk
What's the difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke?
Heat exhaustion involves a temperature under 40°C, pale clammy sweating skin, and tiredness — treatable with cooling and fluids. Heatstroke involves a temperature above 40°C, hot dry red skin with no sweat, and confusion or unconsciousness — a medical emergency requiring an immediate 112 call. The table below contrasts the signs.
| Heat Exhaustion | Heatstroke | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | <40°C | >40°C |
| Skin | Pale, clammy, sweating | Hot, dry, RED, no sweat |
| Mental state | Tired, headache | Confused, agitated, unconscious |
| Pulse | Fast, weak | Fast, strong |
| Action | Cool down + fluids | CALL 112 IMMEDIATELY |
Heatstroke is a medical emergency. While waiting for the ambulance: move the person to shade, remove clothing, cool with wet cloths on neck/armpits/groin, fan them, do NOT give fluids if unconscious.
What should I ask for at a Spanish pharmacy for sunburn?
At a Spanish pharmacy for sunburn, ask for aloe vera gel and Biafine (trolamine cream) for the burn itself, ibuprofen for pain and inflammation, hydrocortisone 0.5% for itch, and rehydration salts (Sueroral) for dehydration — all without prescription. Silver sulfadiazine for severe burns needs a prescription.
| Product | Spanish name | Prescription? | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aloe vera gel | Gel de aloe vera | No | Mild sunburn |
| Biafine | Biafine/trolamina | No | Moderate burns |
| Ibuprofen 400mg | Ibuprofeno | No | Pain + inflammation |
| Hydrocortisone 0.5% | Hidrocortisona | No | Itch/swelling |
| Rehydration salts | Sueroral | No | Dehydration |
| Silver sulfadiazine | Silvederma | Yes | Severe burns |
Tip: Ask for Biafine by name — it's one of the best burn creams available in European pharmacies and many Spanish pharmacists consider it the go-to for sunburn.
How do I prevent sunburn and heatstroke in Spain?
To prevent sunburn and heatstroke in Spain, use SPF 50+ reapplied every 2 hours and after swimming, avoid the sun between 12:00 and 16:00, wear a hat and UV-protective clothing, drink 3+ litres of water a day, limit alcohol in the sun, and acclimatise gradually rather than spending all day on the beach on day one.
- SPF 50+ reapplied every 2 hours and after swimming
- Avoid 12:00-16:00 — UV is highest
- Wear a hat and UV-protective clothing
- Drink 3+ litres/day in summer heat
- Limit alcohol in the sun — it accelerates dehydration
- Acclimatise gradually — don't go from London grey to 8 hours on an Ibiza beach on day one
When should I call a doctor for sunburn or heatstroke?
Call 112 for emergencies — heatstroke, loss of consciousness, or seizure. Book a home doctor visit for moderate-to-severe sunburn with blistering, sun poisoning symptoms (fever plus nausea), heat exhaustion not improving after 30 minutes of cooling, dehydration despite oral fluids, or a child with sunburn.
Call 112 (emergency): Heatstroke (>40°C, confusion, dry hot skin), loss of consciousness, seizure.
Home doctor visit: Moderate-severe sunburn with blistering, sun poisoning symptoms (fever + nausea), heat exhaustion not improving after 30 min of cooling, dehydration despite oral fluids, child with sunburn.