Every week, St John Ambulance’s James Atkin brings you his simple, but life saving, first aid tips – this week: sunburn.

When the sun is shining, we all like to get outside and enjoy the good weather while it lasts. Over-exposure to the sun however, can result in sunburn which can be very painful for the sufferer.

At high altitudes, sunburn can occur even on an overcast summer’s day and some medicines can trigger severe sensitivity to sunlight. Sunburn can also be caused by sunlamps and on rare occasions, by exposure to radioactivity.Sunburn can be easily prevented by staying in the shade, wearing protective clothing and by regularly applying a high factor sunscreen.

Thankfully, most sunburn is superficial; its easily recognisable by reddened skin and pain in the area of the burn. There may also be blistering of the affected skin.

To help someone suffering from sunburn, cover their skin with light clothing or a towel and help them to move out of the sun, and if possible, indoors. Encourage the patient to have frequent sips of cold water, and cool the affected skin by dabbing it with cold water. If the burned area is extensive, the casualty may prefer to soak the affected skin in a cold bath or shower for 10 minutes. Repeat if this helps ease the soreness.

If the sunburn doesn’t blister it is mild, and calamine lotion or an after sun lotion may help to soothe the affected skin. Advise the casualty to stay indoors or in the shade.

If the burn blisters or there is other skin damage, it is severe and the patient will need to see a doctor. Watch out for symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke too, which can be life threatening.

Want to know more? Find out about first aid courses near you by calling 0121 237 3879, emailing west-mids-training@sja.org.uk or visiting our website www.sja.org.uk. If you are interested in volunteering, you’ll find the latest vacancies on our website or by calling our regional headquarters on 0121 236 6660. They can also advise on your nearest Badger and Cadet units.