What is a sun blister?
Sun blister is a condition in which fluid-filled bumps are formed on badly sunburned skin and this is due to radiation damage from both UVA (deeper) and UVB (more superficial) rays.
Having this condition means that you will develop tense, painful blisters on sunburned skin and blister size can vary, based on the article in The Healthy.
Skin burns can happen from hot liquid, from chemicals, or in the case of a sunburn from UV radiation, Ken Perry, MD, FACEP, is an emergency room physician in Charleston, SC explained.
Dr. Perry said that skin blisters should be treated the way other blisters from burns should be treated. You may have the urge to pop the blisters to eliminate the pain, uneasiness, or skin tightening but Dr. Perry said that you should keep it from rupturing.
“It’s better for infection control to leave them in place,” the doctor said. If it is open, you must put a dressing to cover the blisters in order not to stick it to the skin, as well as to keep the blisters clean and dry.
Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist advised that ibuprofen or Tylenol can help with the pain. However, Dr. Mudgil highlighted the patience importance in treating this condition because the process of healing cannot be shortened. “Treating sun blisters essentially entails supportive care and ‘waiting it out,’” Dr. Mudgil stressed.
Beth Goldstein, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist specializing in Mohs surgery and co-founder of Modern Ritual Health, a dermatology telemedicine service has this recommendation in order to treat the sun blister.
- Increase hydration
- Cool compresses
- Oral antihistamines for itching
- Soothing lotions for itchy skin
- Oatmeal baths (think warm water, not hot)
- Pure aloe vera (not the kind with additives)
- Aquaphor to reduce the pain of having exposed nerve endings
- Cicalfate cream to promote healing
- Protect areas from any further sun exposure with clothing and sunscreen
Dr. Goldstein also stressed that if 20 percent of the body is suffering from this condition, you can get dehydrated. You can also get quite stressed if this happens. Having underlying medical conditions can also give a higher level of health concern. You need to seek treatment, especially when dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, or severe chills are already exhibiting.
One common problem is skin peeling and there are different causes why this condition occurs.