Sunburn in Thailand: treatment, what to buy at 7-Eleven and when to see a doctor
The best sunburn treatment in Thailand is simple: get out of the sun, cool your skin with a cool shower, put on after-sun or aloe vera gel, and drink plenty of water. Most sunburn heals within a week. Blisters over a large area, fever, chills, dizziness or a sunburnt baby or child need a doctor, because severe sunburn can come with heat exhaustion.
The short version
Sunburn in five points
- Get out of the sun as soon as you notice your skin is hot, pink or sore.
- Cool the skin with a cool shower or damp towel, never ice.
- Soothe it with after-sun, aloe vera gel or an unperfumed moisturiser.
- Drink water and skip alcohol: sunburn and heat dehydrate you.
- See a doctor for widespread blisters, swelling, fever, chills, dizziness or a sunburnt child.
Why you burn so quickly in Thailand
Thailand is close to the equator, so the sun is high in the sky for much of the day and ultraviolet (UV) levels are very high all year. The World Health Organization’s UV index regularly reaches the “very high” and “extreme” range in the tropics, where unprotected skin can burn in well under half an hour. On Koh Phi Phi the risk is higher still:
- Water and sand reflect UV, so you burn even under a beach umbrella.
- Snorkelling leaves your back and the backs of your legs exposed for long periods, and the cool water hides the burn.
- Boat trips mean hours on deck with little shade and a breeze that stops you noticing the heat.
- Cloudy days still let most UV through.
- Sunscreen washes off in the sea and with sweat, often faster than people reapply it.
Sunburn treatment: what to do today
The NHS advice for sunburn works just as well in Thailand:
- Get out of the sun and stay out of it until the skin has healed. Cover burnt skin with loose clothing if you go outside.
- Cool your skin with a cool (not icy) shower, bath or damp towel. Take care not to let a baby or young child get too cold.
- Moisturise with after-sun cream or spray, aloe vera gel or an unperfumed moisturiser. Reapply often while the skin feels tight.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol, which dehydrates you further.
- For pain, ask a pharmacist which pain relief is right for you, and follow the instructions on the leaflet.
What not to do: don’t put ice or ice packs directly on the skin, don’t use petroleum jelly, don’t pop blisters, don’t scratch or peel flaking skin, and don’t wear tight clothes over the burn. Skip home remedies like toothpaste, butter or lime juice: they can irritate damaged skin.
What to buy at 7-Eleven or a pharmacy
You don’t need to go far. 7-Eleven and the pharmacies in Tonsai and Loh Dalum sell most of what you need:
- Aloe vera gel: cooling and soothing. Choose one without alcohol or strong perfume if your skin is very sore.
- After-sun lotion or spray.
- Bottled water and oral rehydration salts if you feel drained or have a headache.
- A high-SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen for the rest of your trip.
- A hat and a light long-sleeved top from the shops on the walking street.
For more severe sunburn, ask the pharmacist. Pharmacists in Thailand can recommend creams and pain relief and tell you if you should see a doctor. Tell them about any allergies, regular medication, or if you are pregnant.
When sunburn needs a doctor
See a doctor if your skin is blistered or swollen over a large area, you have a very high temperature or feel hot, cold or shivery, you feel very tired, dizzy or sick, you have a headache or muscle cramps, or a baby or young child is sunburnt. Blisters that ooze, spread redness or pus can mean infection. Severe sunburn can come with heat exhaustion or heatstroke: call 1669 (Thailand emergency medical services) for confusion, hot skin that has stopped sweating, a seizure or collapse. Read our guide to heat exhaustion in Thailand to know the signs.
How long does sunburn take to heal?
Mild sunburn usually feels better within a few days and heals within about a week. Peeling normally starts a few days after the burn. Leave it to come off on its own and keep moisturising. Severe sunburn with blisters can take longer, and the new skin underneath burns very easily, so keep it covered.
Can you swim with sunburn? It’s best to wait. Seawater stings damaged skin, broken blisters can get infected, and you will burn again quickly. If you do go in the water, wear a rash vest and keep blisters covered.
How to avoid sunburn for the rest of your trip
- Avoid the strongest sun between 11am and 3pm. Do beach time and the viewpoint early or late.
- Use a high-SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen generously, 15–30 minutes before you go out. Reapply after swimming, towelling and sweating, and at least every two hours.
- Wear a rash vest when snorkelling. It protects your back far better than sunscreen and won’t wash off.
- Cover up with a hat, sunglasses and loose, light clothing.
- Look for reef-safe sunscreen to protect the coral you came to see.
- Check the UV index in a weather app. At 3 and above, protect your skin.
Sunburn, dehydration and IV drips
An IV drip doesn’t treat the burn itself: cooling, moisturising and time do that. But a bad burn often comes with dehydration, especially after a long day in the heat or a night of drinking. If you feel washed out, headachy and can’t drink enough to catch up, our hydration IV drip on Phi Phi can rehydrate you in your room in 30–45 minutes, with a nurse checking you first. For mild dehydration, water and oral rehydration salts are usually enough.
Sunburn on the boat or the beach: quick fixes
If you realise you are burning while you are still out on a boat or the beach, move into the shade straight away, put on a shirt or towel over the red skin and start drinking water. Rinse off salt water with fresh water when you can, because dried salt stings burnt skin. Back in your room, take a cool shower and put on aloe vera or after-sun before bed. Sleep in a cool room with a fan or air conditioning, and wear something loose and soft. The next day, keep the burnt skin completely out of the sun.
Sunburn or heat rash?
Small, itchy red spots or tiny bumps in skin folds, on the chest or the back are more likely to be heat rash (prickly heat), caused by trapped sweat. It’s common in Thailand’s humidity. Keep cool, wear loose cotton clothing and let the skin breathe. It usually clears in a few days.
Sunburn FAQ
Sunburn in Thailand: your questions
What is the best sunburn treatment in Thailand?
Cool showers, aloe vera gel or after-sun, plenty of water and staying out of the sun. You can buy what you need at any 7-Eleven or pharmacy, and a pharmacist can advise on pain relief.
Does 7-Eleven sell aloe vera gel in Thailand?
Yes, most 7-Elevens in Thailand stock aloe vera gel and after-sun products, along with sunscreen and bottled water. Pharmacies have a wider choice.
Should I put ice on sunburn?
No. Ice can damage burnt skin further. Use a cool shower or a damp towel instead.
Should I pop sunburn blisters?
No. Leave them to heal, keep them clean and covered, and see a doctor or pharmacist if they are large, widespread or look infected.
Can a child with sunburn wait it out?
Get advice for babies and young children with sunburn. Their skin is thin and they dehydrate quickly. Keep them in the shade and offer drinks often.
Keep reading
Staying well in the sun on Phi Phi
Read heat exhaustion in Thailand for the warning signs that come with too much sun, or see our hydration IV drip if you feel drained.
Sources: NHS: Sunburn · WHO: Ultraviolet radiation · NHS: Heat rash (prickly heat). Last updated October 2026.
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