Conditions
Sunburn: relief, warning signs and a video visit in Puerto Rico
Sunburn that is mild can be cared for at home: cool water, an oil-free moisturizer, plenty of fluids and leaving blisters alone. If you have large painful blisters, fever, chills or nausea, our doctor can see you by video and, if appropriate, prescribe and send your prescription to your pharmacy. We see residents and tourists of all ages while they are in Puerto Rico.
Is it an emergency? Call 911.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Confusion, fainting, or hot dry skin with a high fever (possible heat stroke: call 911)
- Dizziness, a fast pulse, extreme thirst or pale, cool skin
- Vomiting that stops you keeping fluids down
- Blisters over a large part of the body
- Eye pain or strong sensitivity to light
- A baby under 1 year old with a sunburn
Help lines
At a glance
Sunburn
Common symptoms
- Red, tender skin that is warm to the touch
- Blisters that appear hours or days later
- Peeling skin several days later
- Fever, chills, nausea or a rash with a severe burn
- Other names
- Sun poisoning (severe sunburn)
- Treatment
- Home care with cooling, oil-free moisturizer and fluids; medicine only when the medical evaluation calls for it
- Possible complication
- Dehydration or heat exhaustion; an infected blister
On this page(10)
What is sunburn?
Sunburn is skin damage from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. According to MedlinePlus, the pain peaks 6 to 48 hours after sun exposure, and the skin peels several days later. Blisters can appear hours or days afterwards.
It is easy to burn in Puerto Rico without noticing: a cloudy or breezy beach day does not protect you, because UV rays get through clouds and reflect off water, sand and concrete (CDC). It happens to a lot of visitors on their first beach day, on a boat to Culebra or Vieques, or at a pool bar.
How we treat sunburn by video
You see Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, a Puerto Rico-licensed general practice physician with several years of emergency-department experience, in English or Spanish. On video the doctor looks at the burned skin and any blisters, asks about fever, chills, nausea and how much you have been drinking, and reviews your medicines, since some make skin more sensitive to the sun.
We evaluate, diagnose and treat; if needed, we give you a lab order for a lab near you. If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. We do not prescribe controlled substances. This is urgent care by video for problems that are not emergencies.
On vacation? See how our care for tourists and visitors works. You need to be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit. We see adults and children of all ages; if the patient is under 21, a parent or legal guardian stays on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID.
Your doctor
Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD
General practice physician
Several years of emergency-department experience.
Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative.
Your visit in 3 steps
Request a visit online 24/7 — we confirm your time by email or text.
Request your visit.
Book a visit, choose "Doctor visit" and pay by card.
See the doctor.
We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer. Good light helps the doctor see your skin.
Get your plan.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. A doctor's note is included if you need one.
What the visit costs
A doctor visit costs US$79, the same price for every age, with no membership. Your card is charged when you request the visit, and you get a full refund if the visit can't take place. A doctor's note after your visit is included at no extra charge.
We do not bill insurance; on request we give you an itemized receipt (superbill) to claim from your plan yourself. See all prices. The service is run by The Health Initiative, a nonprofit.
Sunburn symptoms
According to MedlinePlus, sunburn can cause:
- Red, tender skin that is warm to the touch
- Blisters that appear hours or days later
- Peeling skin several days later
- Fever, chills, nausea or a rash with a severe burn
Sunburn treatment: what helps and what to avoid
MedlinePlus recommends:
- Cool compresses or cool baths for relief.
- A moisturizer that is not oil-based (petroleum jelly, for example, blocks pores and traps heat).
- Loose cotton clothing and plenty of water.
- An over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen, if you can take it.
Avoid creams with benzocaine or lidocaine, which can make the burn worse, and don't pop or peel blisters. Stay out of the sun until your skin heals.
The doctor prescribes only if appropriate: for example, if a blister looks infected or the pain keeps you from sleeping. If you notice pus, spreading redness or a fever days later, read about skin infection (cellulitis).
Sunburn in babies and children
Children's skin burns more easily. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises keeping babies under 6 months out of direct sunlight, in the shade and in covering clothes; if shade and clothing aren't available, a small amount of sunscreen on small areas such as the face is fine.
For safety: a baby under 1 year old with a sunburn needs to be checked right away. An older child with blisters, a lot of pain or a fever needs an evaluation too. We see children of all ages by video with their parent or legal guardian on camera.
Sun poisoning and heat illness: when to go to the ER
What many people call "sun poisoning" is a severe sunburn with fever, chills, nausea or a rash. MedlinePlus says a fever with sunburn is a reason to contact a doctor right away. Dizziness, a fast pulse, extreme thirst or vomiting can mean heat exhaustion or dehydration: read about heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 for confusion, fainting, hot dry skin with a high fever, vomiting that stops you keeping fluids down, or blisters over a large part of the body. See when to go to the ER.
Preventing another burn in Puerto Rico
The CDC advises travelers to Puerto Rico to use:
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher; reapply if you are in the sun for more than 2 hours and after swimming, sweating or toweling off.
- Shade from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun is strongest.
- A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses that block UVA and UVB, and tightly woven clothing.
- If you also use insect repellent, put sunscreen on first and repellent second.
How we care for you
We evaluate, diagnose and treat; if needed, we give you a lab order for a lab near you.
We see adults and children of all ages. Patients under 21: a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian is on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID.
Real-time video visit. We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. We do not prescribe controlled substances.
You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors, tourists and cruise passengers are welcome).
In an emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
What should I put on a sunburn?
What is sun poisoning?
Can a tourist get sunburn treatment by video in Puerto Rico?
When does a child's sunburn need a doctor?
About this page
Author: The Health Initiative
Medical care provided by Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD (PR license 24027)
Disclosure: Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative
Published: 2026-09-30 · Updated: 2026-10-02
Sources (5)
- Sunburn (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Sun Safety (CDC) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Puerto Rico: traveler information (CDC) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Sun Safety: Information for Parents (AAP, HealthyChildren.org) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Preventing Mosquito Bites (CDC) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)