Here’s How to Treat Painful Sunburn Blisters

If you’re here because your sunburn is so severe that it turned into sunburn blisters—first of all, ouch, and we’re sorry. Come summertime, the sun is finally shining at its fullest strength. Unfortunately brighter days also come with increased chances of overindulging in those glorious rays—whether that means frolicking outside and forgetting to regularly reapply a broad-spectrum sunscreen or, say, falling asleep on a poolside lounge chair.

With enough UV damage, your burn could get to the point of skin peeling or even a blistering sunburn, which may be accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms like fever, headache, or nausea (common signs of sun poisoning—more on that shortly). But don’t panic: We’re here to share how to treat sunburn blisters and when, according to experts, you should consider seeing a doctor for a severe blistering sunburn.

What are sunburn blisters? | Why did my sunburn turn into blisters? | How long do sunburn blisters last? | How to treat sunburn blisters | When to see a doctor | How to prevent sunburn blisters

You’re probably wondering, “Is it bad if my sunburn is blistering?” The answer is, well, kind of. “Blistering is a sign of severe sunburn. UV light damages the skin surface, and if you have enough damage, a liquid called serum leaks to the surface of the skin,” Allison Larson, MD, board-certified dermatologist and chair of dermatology for MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, tells SELF. Those pockets of fluid form what you see as sunburn blisters.

So what is the fluid in a burn blister exactly? Serum (not to be confused with skin-care serum) is a combination of water, proteins, and electrolytes (similar to blood plasma) that comes from skin tissue, Dr. Larson explains. Much of that leakage is from blood vessels that have been damaged from the UV radiation as well, she adds.

Back to top

Sunburn blisters can occur anywhere on the body since any exposed surfaces of the skin have the potential (if exposed to the sun for a long enough period) to have severe enough sun damage to cause blistering, explains Dr. Larson. You can even get severe sunburn on your lips. That might manifest itself as blistered sunburned lips, but a lot of sun exposure can also trigger a reactivation of the virus that causes cold sores—herpes simplex virus (HSV)—which can add to the blistering on the lips, Dr. Larson adds.¹

It’s more likely that lighter skin will burn and blister than darker skin, board-certified dermatologist Corey L. Hartman, MD, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama, and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, tells SELF. That’s because there’s more melanin (pigment) in darker skin which can help protect against some UV damage. But it’s possible that in extreme cases of sunburn, someone with melanin-rich skin can experience sunburn blisters from severe sun damage, according to Dr. Hartman.

Back to top

Sunburn in general can last just a few days or longer than a week, depending on how bad the UV damage was and how deep it penetrated into the skin. If it’s more surface-level damage, it’ll fade quicker. But in the case of sunburn blisters, you’re likely dealing with deeper damage that’s farther from the dermis (the surface level of the skin), which can last longer, Dr. Larson says. In other words, you can expect your sunburn blisters to last for a week or more.

Severe sunburn might also lead to patchy discoloration from the raw, blistered skin that appears as part of the healing process—and that could take months to even years to improve, according to Dr. Larson. And while people with deeper skin tones have more melanin to protect them from sun damage, they’re more prone to hyperpigmentation and discoloration, even with less severe cases of sunburn, she adds.

Back to top

Ugh, so how do you get rid of sunburn blisters? Well first of all, under no circumstances should you try to break the sunburn blisters yourself, Susan Chon, MD, board-certified dermatologist and faculty member in the department of dermatology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, tells SELF. Doing so opens the door to infection (in this case, the blister is acting like a natural bandage, Dr. Larson explains). If they do break naturally, Dr. Chon recommends cleaning the blistered sunburn area lightly with mild soap and covering the open blister with a gauze bandage. (And if you’re struggling to resist the urge to pop, these strategies for body-focused repetitive disorders might help.)

You can find some relief for moderate sunburns with small blisters (smaller than a fingernail in circumference) at home with lots of cool compresses as well as cool showers or baths to calm swelling and pain, says Dr. Chon. Applying aloe vera gel to the skin and taking an anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen may temporarily relieve pain too, she adds.

Having said that, there are plenty of sunburn remedies you should avoid. For starters, don’t put ice on your sunburn, which can cause injury to your already damaged skin if applied directly, according to Dr. Larson. As moisturizing as it can be, you also shouldn’t apply petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to the skin, as it’s occlusive and can trap heat (a very unpleasant feeling when your skin is already on fire). Topical anesthetics, like lidocaine and benzocaine, may also be unhelpful in that they can cause irritation to severely burned skin, Dr. Larson adds, so ask your doctor before using a product containing these numbing ingredients.

After your cool shower or bath, you’ll definitely want to moisturize to soothe your inflamed and dehydrated skin—but remember to be selective about those moisturizers. A fragrance-free ointment or cream is best in the case of severe sunburn, to avoid further skin inflammation. “Fragrance is one of the most common skin allergies people develop,” Dr. Larson says, and you don’t want to risk exposing your raw, sunburned skin to anything that might make it more sensitive.

If your blisters are much larger than fingernail width or covering a large surface area of your body, Dr. Hartman advises seeing a doctor to get them checked for infection. And on that note…

Back to top

Sunburn that reaches the point of blistering is nothing to ignore. Again, if the sunburn blisters are covering a significant part of your skin, up to a quarter of your body, this is a sign to seek care, Dr. Chon says. Other red flags of what’s colloquially referred to as sun poisoning include fever, dizziness, nausea, and confusion (all signs of severe dehydration from the sun), she adds.

There’s also a chance that the blisters could open up, inviting an infection to occur. (Signs of an infection include feeling pain, seeing pus, and red streaking of the skin, Dr. Larson says.)

You can call your dermatologist or primary care physician to see if they can see you right away and monitor your wound care. But if you’re really feeling ill and can’t get an appointment, your best bet is going to an emergency room, or even an urgent care clinic if you’re on vacation and dealing with a severe sunburn, advises Dr. Chon.

Back to top

We’re going to sound like a broken record (and perhaps remind you of your parent hounding you to reapply sunscreen at the beach), but the best way to prevent sunburn blisters and sunburn in general is to wear a sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB coverage, regardless of your skin tone.² Bonus protection points if you go for SPF 50 or SPF 100, which offer an even stronger defense against UV damage.

If you’re curious about how much sunscreen you need to apply, experts say you should be using enough sunscreen to fill a shot glass on your whole body and reapplying every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Regular reapplication can help to reduce your risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. And PSA: Research says that just one blistering sunburn in childhood or young adulthood doubles your melanoma risk during adulthood.

Besides the big one—sunscreen—other sunburn-prevention strategies include wearing sun-protective clothing and making sure you give yourself breaks from the sun by staying in the shade when you can—even on overcast days when it’s cooler, Dr. Chon says. (Yes, you still need sunscreen on cloudy days, and yes, even in winter.)

Keep in mind that even a bit of “pink” on your skin or flushing, depending on your skin tone, is still a sign of sun damage, according to Dr. Chon, and while a mild burn may not result in blisters, it’s still concerning for your skin health. Sunburn may seem temporary—like a week or so of uncomfortable itching, peeling, and inflammation—but it can make a lasting impact. Unprotected sun exposure can lead to long-term skin effects, like premature signs of aging and skin cancer, Dr. Chon says, so it’s best to prevent sun damage in the first place if it’s in your control to do so.

Back to top

Sources:

1. InTechOpen, Sunlight and Herpes Virus
2. Canadian Medical Association Journal, The Efficacy and Safety of Sunscreen Use for the Prevention of Skin Cancer

Related:

• Why Does Spending Time in the Sun Make You So Tired?
• I Really Wish People Would Stop Commenting on the Sun Damage on My Chest
• 9 Questions That Will Help You Decode That Skin Rash