Why sunburn blisters

The blisters usually appear a few hours after sunburn occurs, but sometimes they can take up to 24 hours to develop. Sunburn blisters can be extremely painful and take around a week to heal.

This type of burn also increases the risk of developing skin cancer and melanoma. After the blisters heal, blister scars that appear as dark or light spots on the surface of the skin can remain visible for 6 to 12 months. In this article, we look at what causes these blisters to form, how to look after them, and what can be done to protect the skin from the sun.

They are usually white or transparent in appearance and filled with fluid, which can be lymph, serum, plasma, blood, or pus. Most people who get sunburned will find the blisters very painful, particularly if touched or if an item of clothing rubs against them. They may also become extremely itchy. Sunburn blisters usually only ever occur when a person has been severely sunburned. Because of this, several complications can arise in a person who develops blisters due to overexposure to the sun.

Anyone who experiences these symptoms after being in the sun should seek advice from their doctor, regardless of whether sunburn blisters appear or not. Sunburn blisters alone have few complications, though an infection may occur if they are picked at or popped. An infection could require medical treatment and will likely lead to scarring. Because sunburn blisters usually only occur in people with bad sunburn, there is also an increased risk of skin cancer.

Many people with sunburn blisters find that they heal naturally and will disappear by themselves after about a week. However, if a person is uncertain whether the lumps on their skin are sunburn blisters, they should visit a doctor or a dermatologist who will examine them and make a diagnosis based on the appearance of the lumps.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology AAD , blistering skin is an indication of second-degree burn, so you want to treat the area with special care.

To heal your skin properly and protect it from future harm , we asked dermatologists to share their pro tips on how to treat a sun blister safely. The blisters are there to help your skin heal and to protect you from infection, so if you pop them, you could compromise both. Zeichner says. It can take up to two weeks for sunburn blisters to heal, Dr. Goldenberg says, but there are a few steps you can take to give your skin a bit of extra love:. When you have a sunburn, your body shuttles water from other areas to your skin, per the AAD.

Krishnan says aloe will help with soothing the general sunburn and healing the blisters. As previously mentioned, sunburn blisters are caused by inflammation. Aloe has anti-inflammatory properties , so it can help reduce the discomfort that comes along with inflammation.

The gel can also speed up the healing process, since it is rich with vitamins and can stimulate collagen production. However, if the blisters have already popped or are open, applying aloe to it will further irritate the skin and could possibly lead to infection. Stick to using aloe on intact blisters. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs are over the counter meds that can reduce inflammation in the body.

The most common ones are aspirin and ibuprofen Advil, for example. NSAIDs can help alleviate this from the inside out. If your skin feels like it's on fire, then cold, damp compresses can help bring you some cooling relief. Take a clean cloth or towel, dampen it with some cold water, and apply to the problem areas. Along the same lines, taking cool showers or baths can feel refreshing as well. This tip is especially pertinent if your blisters have popped.

Is this your child's symptom? Red or blistered skin from too much sun The redness, pain and swelling starts at 4 hours after being in the sun It peaks at 24 hours, and starts to get better after 48 hours Severity of Sunburn Most sunburn is a first-degree burn that turns the skin pink or red.

Prolonged sun exposure can cause blistering and a second-degree burn. Sunburn never causes a third-degree burn or scarring. Causes of Sunburn Direct sun exposure. Warning: clouds don't help. Reflected sun rays. Tanning lamp or sun lamp.