Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesRisk FactorsDiagnosisAt-Home TreatmentWhat Not to DoWhat’s the Outlook?PreventionWhen to Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
At-Home Treatment
What Not to Do
What’s the Outlook?
Prevention
When to Seek Medical Care
Hell’s itch (devil’s itch) is a rare, extreme sunburn that causes a deep and painful itch. It appears to be triggered a day or two after sun over-exposure and may also involve skin blistering, peeling, and numbness.
This unrelentingly itchy experience can lead to sleep loss for several days as the damaged skin heals from sunburn.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
What Are the Symptoms of Hell’s Itch?
Hell’s itch appears assunburned skin24 to 72 hours after sun exposure. In some cases, another activity like water exposure (showering or swimming), or application of a skincare product seems to further trigger the intense reaction.
Symptoms that people report experiencing include:
What Causes the Unrelenting Itch?
Researchers don’t have enough clinical evidence to offer a definitive cause or mechanism behind the development of hell’s itch. One theory revolves around overactive nerve signals between the skin and the brain. However, more research is needed.
Risk Factors to Consider
Sun exposureis the main risk factor for hell’s itch. Otherwise, there’s limited data on who it’s most likely to affect.
Research on severe sunburns shows that people with physical traits like lighter skin tones, freckles, and naturally blonde or red hair are more susceptible to developing hell’s itch. Also, people outside in higher altitudes may experience more intense sun exposure.
How Is Hell’s Itch Diagnosed?
There currently isn’t a clear diagnostic process for hell’s itch. Based on existing anecdotal reports, some cases of hell’s itch are either self-diagnosed or misdiagnosed as a traditional sunburn.
A healthcare provider could assess your skin and help determine if you are experiencing hell’s itch. Treatment may be offered for severe or painfulsunburnand resulting skin irritation.
How to Find Relief From Hell’s Itch At Home
Drink Water
Any sunburn pulls fluid to the skin’s surface and away from other body parts. Staying extra hydrated during this time will help preventdehydrationand the development of any additional uncomfortable symptoms.
Peppermint Oil
When applied topically,peppermint oilcould help ease a severe sunburn. Research suggests that peppermint oil has solid pain-relieving properties and may help reduceinflammationand alleviate itch.Experts recommend a patch test on another part of your skin to ensure you’re not allergic and avoid use around the eyes.Essential oils should be diluted with a carrier oil, such as jojoba, avocado, and almond oils, before applying to the skin.
Oatmeal Bath
Anoatmeal bathcan help soothe the skin. Oatmeal contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. It is often recommended for people with skin conditions such asatopic dermatitis(eczema) to help repair the skin.
Baking Soda Paste
Aloe Vera Gel
Research shows thataloe vera, a plant with leaves containing aloe gel, has anti-inflammatory properties and may help heal skin damage.Aloe also helps moisturize the skin and might support the skin peeling, which often happens with an intense sunburn.
Cool Compress
OTC Topical Ointments
Over-the-counter (OTC) topical ointments may help with hell’s itch and sunburn. Look forcortisone creamsto reduce inflammation and creams with vitamins C or E to help mitigate further skin.
Experts recommend avoiding oil-based products, as these can block pores, preventing heat and sweat from escaping and leading to infection.
NSAIDs
Oral Antihistamines
Antihistamineslike Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Claritin (loratadine) reduce the body’s inflammatory allergic response, which may help hell’s itch.While these medications are safe for most people, know that there are potential side effects, including headache, stomach pain, diarrhea, drowsiness, and more. Check with a healthcare provider with any questions about their use.
A Word From VerywellWhile sunburns are often associated with a mild itch sensation, hell’s itch may be associated with a more severe itch that negatively affects one’s quality of life.—BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
While sunburns are often associated with a mild itch sensation, hell’s itch may be associated with a more severe itch that negatively affects one’s quality of life.—BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
While sunburns are often associated with a mild itch sensation, hell’s itch may be associated with a more severe itch that negatively affects one’s quality of life.
—BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Scratching
Scratching your itchy skin can make matters worse. It can lead to tiny tears in the skin that allow bacteria to enter, causing bleeding and infection.
Popping Blisters
Sunburns, particularly severe cases like hell’s itch, often includeblisters, which indicate asecond-degree burn. While it may be tempting, experts caution against popping these blisters and recommend letting them heal naturally, as this will help protect against infection.
Spending More Time in the Sun
Spending any additional time in the sun can run the risk of developing a more severe sunburn. While experiencing hell’s itch, it’s best to keep covered and out of the sun to avoid prolonged exposure to damaging UV rays.
Putting Ice Directly on the Skin
While a cool compress is recommended to alleviate itchy, burning skin, it’s not ideal for placing ice, ice packs, or compresses with freezing temperatures directly on the skin.Applying ice to bare skin, particularly if it’s already blistered or damaged, maycause ice burnsand other complications.
Taking Long Baths or Showers
Rinse off as needed while you have hell’s itch, but it’s not recommended to take a long shower or bath. Additional time spent in water candry the skin, and body soaps may contain ingredients that further irritate the skin.
Using Topical Pain Relief or Numbing Creams
Topical products that contain the ingredients benzocaine or lidocaine help produce a mildnumbing and pain-relieving effect. Still, it’s best to stay away from these when you’re experiencing hell’s itch. Experts say using these products can trigger an allergic reaction in some people and may worsen the sunburn.
Using Greasy Lotions
A thick or greasy lotion may seem tempting to help soothe endlessly itchy skin, but it’s not the best option post-sun over-exposure. Experts typically recommend avoiding oil-based products, as these can block pores so that heat and sweat can’t escape, leading to infection.
Limited clinical data is available on hell’s itch, but it appears to be a short-term experience. Most people report hell’s itch beginning a day or two after sun exposure and lasting over a few days.
How to Prevent Hell’s Itch
Preventing hell’s itch comes down to avoiding a sunburn. Here’s what experts recommend:
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
If you experience a fever with hell’s itch or a sunburn, contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
In addition, watch out for signs of shock,heat exhaustion, ordehydration, including:
Summary
Somehome and over-the-counter (OTC) remediesmay help calm itchy, painful skin, but see a healthcare provider if the pain is severe or if you’re experiencing a fever or dehydration symptoms.
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ball KJ, Muse BW, Cook B, Quinn AP, Brooks BD.Hell’s itch: a unique reaction to UV exposure.JMIR Dermatol. 2023;6:e48669. doi:10.2196/48669Wilder-Smith AJ.Hell’s itch due to sunburn.J Travel Med.2019;26(1). doi:10.1093/jtm/tay124American Cancer Society.Are some people more likely to get skin damage from the sun?MedlinePlus.Sunburn.American Academy of Dermatology.How to treat sunburn.Ali B, Al-Wabel NA, Shams S, Ahamad A, Khan SA, Anwar F.Essential oils used in aromatherapy: a systemic review.Asian Pac J Top Biomed.2015;5(8):601-611. doi:10.1016/j.apjtb.2015.05.007American Academy of Dermatology.How to test skin care products.Maarouf M, Hendricks AJ, Shi VY.Bathing additives for atopic dermatitis - a systematic review.Dermatitis. 2019;30(3):191-197. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000459National Eczema Association.Eczema and bathing.Hęś M, Dziedzic K, Górecka D, Jędrusek-Golińska A, Gujska E.Aloe vera (L.) Webb.: natural sources of antioxidants - a review.Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2019;74(3):255-265. doi:10.1007/s11130-019-00747-5MedlinePlus.Over-the-counter pain relievers.Hunto ST, Kim HN, Baek KS, et al.Loratadine, an antihistamine drug, exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through suppression of the NF-kB pathway.Biomedical pharmacology. 2020;177:113949. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113949Church MK, Church DS.Pharmacology of antihistamines.Indian J Dermatol. 2013;58(3):219-24. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.110832American Academy of Dermatology.Home remedies: what can relieve itchy eczema?Skin Cancer Foundation.Sunburn & your skin.Mutlu S, Yılmaz E.The effect of soft tissue injury cold application duration on symptoms, edema, joint mobility, and patient satisfaction: a randomized controlled trial.J Emerg Nurs. 2020;46(4):449-59. doi:10.1016/j.jen.2020.02.017American Academy of Dermatology.Sunscreen FAQs.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ball KJ, Muse BW, Cook B, Quinn AP, Brooks BD.Hell’s itch: a unique reaction to UV exposure.JMIR Dermatol. 2023;6:e48669. doi:10.2196/48669Wilder-Smith AJ.Hell’s itch due to sunburn.J Travel Med.2019;26(1). doi:10.1093/jtm/tay124American Cancer Society.Are some people more likely to get skin damage from the sun?MedlinePlus.Sunburn.American Academy of Dermatology.How to treat sunburn.Ali B, Al-Wabel NA, Shams S, Ahamad A, Khan SA, Anwar F.Essential oils used in aromatherapy: a systemic review.Asian Pac J Top Biomed.2015;5(8):601-611. doi:10.1016/j.apjtb.2015.05.007American Academy of Dermatology.How to test skin care products.Maarouf M, Hendricks AJ, Shi VY.Bathing additives for atopic dermatitis - a systematic review.Dermatitis. 2019;30(3):191-197. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000459National Eczema Association.Eczema and bathing.Hęś M, Dziedzic K, Górecka D, Jędrusek-Golińska A, Gujska E.Aloe vera (L.) Webb.: natural sources of antioxidants - a review.Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2019;74(3):255-265. doi:10.1007/s11130-019-00747-5MedlinePlus.Over-the-counter pain relievers.Hunto ST, Kim HN, Baek KS, et al.Loratadine, an antihistamine drug, exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through suppression of the NF-kB pathway.Biomedical pharmacology. 2020;177:113949. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113949Church MK, Church DS.Pharmacology of antihistamines.Indian J Dermatol. 2013;58(3):219-24. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.110832American Academy of Dermatology.Home remedies: what can relieve itchy eczema?Skin Cancer Foundation.Sunburn & your skin.Mutlu S, Yılmaz E.The effect of soft tissue injury cold application duration on symptoms, edema, joint mobility, and patient satisfaction: a randomized controlled trial.J Emerg Nurs. 2020;46(4):449-59. doi:10.1016/j.jen.2020.02.017American Academy of Dermatology.Sunscreen FAQs.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ball KJ, Muse BW, Cook B, Quinn AP, Brooks BD.Hell’s itch: a unique reaction to UV exposure.JMIR Dermatol. 2023;6:e48669. doi:10.2196/48669Wilder-Smith AJ.Hell’s itch due to sunburn.J Travel Med.2019;26(1). doi:10.1093/jtm/tay124American Cancer Society.Are some people more likely to get skin damage from the sun?MedlinePlus.Sunburn.American Academy of Dermatology.How to treat sunburn.Ali B, Al-Wabel NA, Shams S, Ahamad A, Khan SA, Anwar F.Essential oils used in aromatherapy: a systemic review.Asian Pac J Top Biomed.2015;5(8):601-611. doi:10.1016/j.apjtb.2015.05.007American Academy of Dermatology.How to test skin care products.Maarouf M, Hendricks AJ, Shi VY.Bathing additives for atopic dermatitis - a systematic review.Dermatitis. 2019;30(3):191-197. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000459National Eczema Association.Eczema and bathing.Hęś M, Dziedzic K, Górecka D, Jędrusek-Golińska A, Gujska E.Aloe vera (L.) Webb.: natural sources of antioxidants - a review.Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2019;74(3):255-265. doi:10.1007/s11130-019-00747-5MedlinePlus.Over-the-counter pain relievers.Hunto ST, Kim HN, Baek KS, et al.Loratadine, an antihistamine drug, exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through suppression of the NF-kB pathway.Biomedical pharmacology. 2020;177:113949. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113949Church MK, Church DS.Pharmacology of antihistamines.Indian J Dermatol. 2013;58(3):219-24. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.110832American Academy of Dermatology.Home remedies: what can relieve itchy eczema?Skin Cancer Foundation.Sunburn & your skin.Mutlu S, Yılmaz E.The effect of soft tissue injury cold application duration on symptoms, edema, joint mobility, and patient satisfaction: a randomized controlled trial.J Emerg Nurs. 2020;46(4):449-59. doi:10.1016/j.jen.2020.02.017American Academy of Dermatology.Sunscreen FAQs.
Ball KJ, Muse BW, Cook B, Quinn AP, Brooks BD.Hell’s itch: a unique reaction to UV exposure.JMIR Dermatol. 2023;6:e48669. doi:10.2196/48669
Wilder-Smith AJ.Hell’s itch due to sunburn.J Travel Med.2019;26(1). doi:10.1093/jtm/tay124
American Cancer Society.Are some people more likely to get skin damage from the sun?
MedlinePlus.Sunburn.
American Academy of Dermatology.How to treat sunburn.
Ali B, Al-Wabel NA, Shams S, Ahamad A, Khan SA, Anwar F.Essential oils used in aromatherapy: a systemic review.Asian Pac J Top Biomed.2015;5(8):601-611. doi:10.1016/j.apjtb.2015.05.007
American Academy of Dermatology.How to test skin care products.
Maarouf M, Hendricks AJ, Shi VY.Bathing additives for atopic dermatitis - a systematic review.Dermatitis. 2019;30(3):191-197. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000459
National Eczema Association.Eczema and bathing.
Hęś M, Dziedzic K, Górecka D, Jędrusek-Golińska A, Gujska E.Aloe vera (L.) Webb.: natural sources of antioxidants - a review.Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2019;74(3):255-265. doi:10.1007/s11130-019-00747-5
MedlinePlus.Over-the-counter pain relievers.
Hunto ST, Kim HN, Baek KS, et al.Loratadine, an antihistamine drug, exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through suppression of the NF-kB pathway.Biomedical pharmacology. 2020;177:113949. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113949
Church MK, Church DS.Pharmacology of antihistamines.Indian J Dermatol. 2013;58(3):219-24. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.110832
American Academy of Dermatology.Home remedies: what can relieve itchy eczema?
Skin Cancer Foundation.Sunburn & your skin.
Mutlu S, Yılmaz E.The effect of soft tissue injury cold application duration on symptoms, edema, joint mobility, and patient satisfaction: a randomized controlled trial.J Emerg Nurs. 2020;46(4):449-59. doi:10.1016/j.jen.2020.02.017
American Academy of Dermatology.Sunscreen FAQs.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
