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PhrasesAt the PharmacyHa qualcosa per le scottature solari?
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Ha qualcosa per le scottature solari?

Do you have something for sunburn?

Pronunciation

skot-ta-TU-re — four syllables, double 't'. 'Solari' — so-LA-ri, three syllables.

When to use it

Ask in summer at coastal or mountain pharmacies. Sunburn is very common among tourists in Italy.

What it means

'Scottature solari' = sunburns (plural). 'Scottatura' from 'scottare' (to burn). Italian pharmacies have extensive sun care sections. OTC treatments: 'dopo sole' (after-sun lotion), 'aloe vera gel' (soothing gel), 'spray lenitivo' (soothing spray), 'crema al panthenol' (healing cream). For severe burns, a doctor visit is needed.

Variations

Mi sono scottata molto in spiaggia.

I got very sunburned at the beach.

Past tense — describe what happened to get appropriate advice

La pelle mi brucia e mi prude.

My skin is burning and itching.

Describe symptoms — 'bruciare' (to burn), 'prudere' (to itch)

Ha una crema solare con SPF cinquanta?

Do you have a sunscreen with SPF fifty?

Prevention first — SPF 50 is recommended for fair skin in Italian summer

Mini Dialogue

— Ha qualcosa per le scottature solari? Ho la schiena tutta rossa. — Come mai non ha messo la protezione solare? — L'ho messa, ma non bastava. Stavo in acqua tutto il giorno. — Capisco. Le do questo gel all'aloe vera e una crema lenitiva. Non faccia la doccia calda. — Solo fredda? — Sì, tiepida al massimo. Il caldo peggiora la scottatura.

— Do you have something for sunburn? My back is completely red. — Why did you not put on sunscreen? — I did, but it was not enough. I was in the water all day. — I understand. I will give you this aloe vera gel and a soothing cream. Do not take a hot shower. — Only cold? — Yes, warm at most. Heat makes the sunburn worse.

Cultural Note

Italy has among the highest rates of skin cancer ('melanoma') in Europe, partly due to cultural attitudes toward tanning ('abbronzatura'). The Italian Association of Medical Oncology ('AIOM') runs annual skin cancer awareness campaigns. Italian pharmacies are required to prominently display sun protection products from April onwards. SPF 50+ is now the standard recommendation for fair-skinned individuals from Italian dermatologists.