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El tiempo estimado de llegada es desde 1 hora, dependiendo de la ubicación y disponibilidad del médico.

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Yes, all our doctors in Ibiza speak English. Many also speak French and German.

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Sí, aceptamos todas las tarjetas de crédito y débito a través de Stripe. No necesitas efectivo.

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Sí, OnCall Clinic está disponible las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana, los 365 días del año.

Sunburn & Heatstroke in Spain: Treatment, Prevention & When to Call a Doctor

6 May 2026by OnCall Clinic3 min read

Got sunburn or heatstroke in Spain? A doctor explains severity levels, treatment at your hotel, pharmacy options, and when you need medical attention.

Spain's Sun Is 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.

Sunburn Severity: Know Your Level

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.

Immediate Treatment at Your Hotel

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

Heat Exhaustion vs. Heatstroke

	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.

Pharmacy Guide: What to Ask For

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.

Prevention

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 to Call a Doctor

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.

Frequently asked questions

When should I see a doctor for sunburn in Spain?

See a doctor if you have: blistering over a large area (>10% of body), fever above 38.5°C, chills or confusion, severe pain not responding to over-the-counter painkillers, sunburn on a child under 1 year, or signs of heat exhaustion (dizziness, rapid pulse, nausea). A home doctor can assess and treat at your hotel.

What can I buy for sunburn at a Spanish pharmacy?

At any farmacia: aloe vera gel (gel de aloe vera), Biafine (trolamine cream — excellent for burns), ibuprofen/paracetamol for pain and inflammation, hydrocortisone cream 0.5% (for itch), and oral rehydration salts. Biafine is a pharmacy staple in Spain and works better than most UK/US sunburn products.

How hot does it get in Ibiza and the Costa del Sol?

Ibiza: 30-35°C (86-95°F) June-September with UV index 9-11. Costa del Sol: 30-40°C (86-104°F) with UV index 10-12. Mallorca: 28-34°C (82-93°F). At UV index 8+, unprotected skin can burn in under 15 minutes. Heat warnings (avisos de calor) are common July-August.

What's the difference between heat exhaustion and heatstroke?

Heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, headache, temperature under 40°C — treatable at your hotel with cooling and fluids. Heatstroke: temperature above 40°C, confusion, hot DRY skin (no sweating), possible loss of consciousness — this is a medical emergency, call 112 immediately.

Can I get IV fluids for dehydration from a home doctor?

Yes. Home doctors in Spain can administer IV saline for moderate to severe dehydration caused by heat exhaustion, gastroenteritis, or excessive sun exposure. This is often faster and more effective than oral rehydration alone for adults who are vomiting or severely dehydrated.