BY: EMILY LAURENCE
Beach days where the waves are your soundtrack and the only thing on your to do list is digging into a new novel. Barbecuing with friends, complete with burgers and badminton. Afternoons perfecting your tennis game, the pandemic sport you plan on sticking with long-term. This is the stuff summers are made of. But all that time in the sun can put you at risk of getting a sunburn—perhaps the one downside to sunny days. The one thing that’s worse than a sunburn? Sunburn blisters.
That’s right. As if red, itchy skin wasn’t horrible enough, blisters can actually form as a result. It’s important to know how to treat sun blisters so you can get rid of them quickly and avoid causing yourself further pain. There are also times when it’s important to see a doctor. Here, three top dermatologists explain what sunburn blisters are, how to avoid them, and how to treat them.
What Are Sunburn Blisters?
“Sunburn blisters are actually burns,” says dermatologist, researcher, and author Dr. Leslie Baumann, MD. She says that they are caused by the sun’s radiation energy and can be first degree or second degree burns.
Cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, says that these types of burns are small, fluid-filled bumps. “The blisters can appear a few hours to 24 hours after the sunburn occurs,” she says. Like sunburned skin, Dr. Engleman says that sunburn blisters can be itchy and painful. Harvard-trained dermatologist Dr. Ryan Turner, MD, adds that the fluid in the blisters may be white or clear and the adjacent skin may be red, swollen, and painful to the touch.
Like virtually everything when it comes to health, prevention is the best form of medicine for sunburn blisters; if you avoid getting them in the first place, there’s no need for treatment. All three dermatologists say that avoiding sunburn blisters starts with sun protection. “Sun protection includes the use of at least SPF 30, sun-protective clothing, and using shade when possible to avoid direct sun exposure. SPF should be reapplied at least every two hours especially if swimming or sweating,” Dr. Turner says.
“It’s extremely important to wear sunscreen every single day, and especially when you’re spending more time outside in the warmer months,” Dr. Engelman says. She advises using a “broad spectrum” sunscreen, which means that the SPF will block both UVA and UVB radiation. In addition to wearing sunscreen, she says that wearing wide-brimmed hats can help protect from the sun as well. “Of course, pay attention to your skin—if you start to notice redness or a burn, get out of the sun,” she adds.
While no one likes getting sunburned—or sunburn blisters—it can still happen. When it does, it’s important to know what to do next.
How To Safely Treat Sunburn Blisters
Okay, you got sunburn blisters. Now what? Like a fluid-filled pimple, your first instinct may be to pop the sucker. Bad idea. “You should absolutely not pop a sunburn blister,” Dr. Engelman says. “Blisters form to help your skin heal, and popping them could allow the skin to become infected. This would then require a longer healing process, potential treatment and possible scarring.” Dr. Turner whole-heartedly agrees. “The skin covering of the blister can act as a natural protectant against infection, dirt, and debris,” he says.
If the blister breaks open on its own, Dr. Engelman says to carefully trim off the dead skin and then to clean the affected area with soap and water. “Put an antibiotic ointment on the broken blister and cover it with a Band-Aid,” she advises.
Instead of popping your sunburn blister, here’s what you should do instead: First, Dr. Turner says to place a cold compress on the skin. Do this gently so you don’t burst the blisters open. This, he says, will help cool the burnt skin down. “You can apply a moisturizer to hydrate and create a barrier to further protect the skin. Aloe vera is popularly used and it does contain a natural anti-inflammatory,” he says. He explains that moisturizing the skin helps it retain water and also has a soothing effect.
Dr. Baumann says that it can also be helpful to cover the blisters with soft gauze to protect them. She also advises wearing clothing that won’t rub against the blisters, which could cause them to burst open. “If a blister does pop, keep the roof on and cover it with an antibiotic treatment,” she says.
Dr. Turner says that drinking plenty of water and staying out of the sun (of course) will help the body heal too. “Drinking green tea or consuming turmeric may also help with inflammation,” Dr. Baumann adds. “You can put green tea directly on your skin, but do not put turmeric directly on the skin.”
There are times when it’s important to seek the care of a medical professional. “If you develop a high fever, experience severe pain, dizziness, or other unusual symptoms, see your dermatologist as this could be an indication of sun poisoning or an infection,” Dr. Engelman says. If your dermatologist can’t see you right away, go to the ER.
Like sunburns themselves, sunburn blisters can be extremely painful, but when treated correctly, they will start to heal in a few days and be an annoyance of the past in about a week, according to Dr. Engelman. Then, you can resume your beach days and afternoons in the sun—just be sure to put on plenty of SPF.
