White bumps from sunburn

Sunburn Blisters: Symptoms, Treatments, and Complications

What are sunburn blisters?

Sunburn blisters can appear on the skin after severe sunburns, and they can be extremely painful. These blisters will typically appear several hours to a day after the initial sun exposure. The pain usually starts to subside after 48 hours, though it will likely take at least a week for the blisters and sunburn to fade. After they heal, you may be left with darker or lighter spots on the skin that can last for 6 to 12 months.

Sunburn blisters are small, white, fluid-filled bumps that appear on severely sunburned skin. The surrounding skin may be red and slightly swollen. They are painful to the touch and can be extremely itchy. Learn about different types of burns here.

Your primary care physician or a dermatologist can diagnose and treat sunburn blisters. A doctor can typically diagnose a sunburn blister based on appearance. They’ll also ask about how long you were exposed to the sun and whether you used any sun protection.

Sunburns that are severe enough to cause blisters can also cause sun poisoning. Sun poisoning symptoms include:

vomiting
nausea
chills
fevers
dizziness
severe blistering

If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Sunburn blisters that are popped or picked at can become infected. This can require treatment and may lead to scarring.

Severe sunburns — especially those severe enough to cause blisters — significantly increase your chance of skin cancer.

Sunburn blisters can often be treated at home. To do this, you should:

Drink plenty of water. Sunburns will dehydrate you, which can prevent the blisters from healing.
Place cold, damp compresses on the blisters to take some of the heat out of your skin.
Apply moisturizer with aloe on the burn. The moisture will help the blisters heal sooner.
Don’t pick or pop the blisters. This significantly increases the chance of infection and can cause damage to the skin that could lead to scarring.
Take ibuprofen (Advil) to reduce swelling and significant discomfort.
Avoid sun exposure until the blisters heal.

Should the blisters pop (don’t pop them intentionally), keep the area clean and apply a bandage using loose gauze after applying an antibiotic ointment. Keep the area covered with a bandage to speed up healing.

When cleaning the area, use cool water, don’t scrub the area, and use a mild antibacterial cleanser to remove any excess drainage, being careful not to rub too hard. Don’t use a cotton ball on the popped blister, as the small fibers may stick to the wound and increase the chance of an infection.

If your blisters are severe, your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid for the swelling and itching. They may also prescribe a topical burn cream to help heal the skin faster.

The best way to prevent blisters from sunburns is to protect your skin. When you’re going to be outside, apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours while actively outside. Wear protective clothing to protect your skin, like wide-brimmed hats that shade your face.

It’s also helpful to check your medications before going out into the sun. Some medications, like antibiotics, may cause an increased likelihood of burning. Both oral and topical medications that treat acne can also cause significantly increased sensitivity to the sun.

If you suspect that you’ve gotten a sunburn, cool off as soon as possible to lessen the extent of the burn. Stay indoors or in the shade, drink plenty of water, and rinse your skin with cold water if possible.

Sunburn blisters: Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Sunburn is a skin injury caused by heat and radiation. Blisters occur as a result of a second degree sunburn, which causes damage deeper in the skin and takes longer to heal than a first degree sunburn.

A second degree sunburn causes blisters. They usually appear a few hours after sunburn occurs, but sometimes, they can take up to 24 hours to develop.

When a person does not have blisters, only redness, tenderness, and light peeling of the skin, this is likely a first degree burn.

Sunburn blisters can be very painful and take around 1 week to heal. This type of burn also increases the risk of 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 6–12 months.

This article looks at what causes sunburn blisters to form, how to look after them, and what a person can do to protect their skin from the sun.

Fast facts on sunburn blisters:

Sunburn blisters are similar in appearance to regular blisters.
They tend to heal naturally after around 1 week.
Sunburn blisters may co-occur with more severe symptoms that require medical attention.
People can avoid sunburn blisters by following sun protection guidelines.

Sunburn blisters form as small bumps on the skin. They are usually white or transparent in appearance and filled with fluid, which can contain lymph, serum, plasma, blood, or pus.

Most people who get sunburned will find the blisters very painful, particularly if they touch them or if an item of clothing rubs against them. The blisters may also become very itchy.

However, both pain and itchiness will lessen as the blisters start to heal.

Usually, sunburn blisters only ever occur when a person has experienced severe sunburn. Several complications can arise in people who develop blisters due to sun overexposure, including:

nausea and vomiting
dehydration
chills and fever
dizziness
a bacterial infection at the blister site, especially if a person picks or pops the blister

Sunburn blisters alone have few complications. However, an infection could require medical treatment and will likely lead to scarring.

Anyone who experiences these symptoms after being in the sun should seek advice from a healthcare professional, regardless of whether sunburn blisters appear or not.

Because sunburn blisters usually only occur in people with a bad sunburn, a person is also more at risk of developing skin cancer.

Second degree sunburns may heal naturally and will disappear by themselves within about 3 weeks.

However, if a person is uncertain whether the lumps on their skin are sunburn blisters, they should contact a doctor, such as a dermatologist.

The doctor will examine the person and make a diagnosis based on the appearance of the lumps. They can then offer possible treatment options and advice.

Individuals with sunburn blisters should also seek immediate medical attention if they experience any of the following:

swelling of the skin
chills or a temperature of 100°F or higher
dizziness, a severe headache, nausea, or vomiting

The doctor will ask questions such as how long a person was in the sun and whether they used any sun protection. They will then be able to advise the person on the best course of action.

Sunburn that is severe and causes blistering may require medical treatment.

A doctor may prescribe special burn cream to soothe the skin and help with the healing process. They may also apply a dressing to protect the affected area.

If a person displays any of the associated sun poisoning symptoms, they may need to stay in the hospital to enable doctors to monitor them more closely.

Treating milder cases of sunburn at home is possible. It is essential to get indoors and out of the sun as soon as sunburn occurs.

Other home care options include:

cooling the skin by having a cold bath or shower
using a cold, damp sponge or flannel to help soothe the skin and relieve pain and itching
applying lotions designed to relieve sunburn, such as those containing aloe vera, to help soothe the skin and keep it moisturized
drinking plenty of hydrating fluids, such as water, to cool the body and prevent dehydration
taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
remaining in a cool, shaded room, away from direct sunlight
covering up all affected areas and ensuring they are not exposed to the sun until the skin has fully healed

The easiest way to avoid sunburn blisters is to stay out of the sun. However, this is not always practical or possible.

The most common ways to prevent sunburn blisters include the following:

avoiding going outside during the times when the sun is at its strongest
protecting the skin from the sun even on cloudier days
using a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or above and applying it 30 minutes before sun exposure and again every 90 minutes
wearing protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats
applying sunscreen generously, making sure to cover every part of the body
using sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB radiation and has a minimum four-star rating for UVA protection
reapplying sunscreen after entering the water or sweating excessively, even if the label says the product is water-resistant

A person should also be aware of their skin’s sensitivity to the sun. This sensitivity varies from person to person, but typically, people with light skin tones are likely to get sunburned more quickly.

Some medicines can increase a person’s sensitivity to the sun and therefore their likelihood of experiencing sunburn. People should read the labels of any medications before being in the sun for long periods and seek advice from a healthcare professional if unsure.

Sunburn blisters can also occur in cooler, cloudier conditions. Light reflected off snow can increase the risk of sunburn as well.

Exposure to harmful UV rays from the sun can result in more serious, long-term effects, many of which will not become apparent until decades later.

These long-term effects can include the following:

Precancerous spots health experts call solar keratosis can appear on the skin and can range in appearance. They may be white, pink, yellow, or dark, as well as rough and scaly.
Premature skin aging can occur on the skin exposed to lots of sun, along with dark sun spots.
Skin cancer is another risk, particularly for those who experience sunburn severe enough that sunburn blisters develop.

For many people with sunburn blisters, however, home care treatment options are enough to ensure that they recover well.

As long as sunburn blisters heal, are not picked at or popped, and do not become infected, they should go away and fade with time.

Below, we answer some commonly asked questions about sunburn blisters.

What do I do if a sunburn blister has popped?

If a blister pops or breaks, dermatologists recommend a person do not pick or peel the skin. They should gently clean the area with mild soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover the wound with a nonstick gauze bandage.

Doctors may prescribe topical antibiotics. In some cases, however, an OTC antibiotic will suffice to prevent an infection.

A person can treat pain with OTC pain relief medication, such as ibuprofen.

How do I treat a sunburn blister on the face?

The American Burn Association recommends that a person who develops burn blisters anywhere on their face consult a doctor as soon as possible.

What are other symptoms of a second degree sunburn?

In addition to blisters, a second degree sunburn will likely cause redness that may be more visible in individuals with light skin tones. The burn area may appear shiny or wet, and there may be some white discoloration.

why rashes appear on the face in summer and how to prevent them

Sun acne usually appears in late spring, early summer or during travel when the skin is exposed to sudden sun after a long break. Most of all, women 20-40 years old and people whose skin is prone to oily are susceptible to this form of rash.

For many years it was customary to think that the sun is like a panacea for acne: it dries them up and heals the skin. This opinion was formed due to the incompleteness of the picture of everything that happens under the top layer of the skin. The first time really - the sun ennobles the face, cleans up pimples and evens out the tone with a tan. This happens because light rays have bactericidal properties and dry comedones. Infrared radiation warms up stagnant spots, and they become invisible. Vitamin D and the happiness hormone serotonin are produced. At first glance, the sun really does have one benefit: the face becomes cleaner, the mood is better.

After the peak of improvement comes the decline. The reverse process begins, and the activity of sebocytes increases by 120-140% after four days of active exposure to the sun. As a result, the rashes return in increased numbers. Ultraviolet can be useful, but its portions must be dosed. On the beach or in the solarium, radiation hits the skin in such an amount that it is no longer being treated. Although smart skin in the summer itself tries to protect itself from ultraviolet attack and thickens the stratum corneum. But this only complicates the process of producing sebum on the surface and leads to clogged pores.

What else

Increased UV radiation reduces skin immunity. In summer, the skin sweats, and dust, dirt, urban smog and harmful impurities that are rich in urban air easily adhere to a damp surface. Wet skin is more vulnerable and easily damaged by friction. You can rub your forehead or put on a sweater with a narrow neck, and micro-wounds are already forming on the surface, into which microbes penetrate like an open gate.
Melanocytes (specialized skin cells) produce melanin in excess, which causes the appearance of age spots.
In summer, the acid-base environment (pH level) changes towards alkalization. Such an environment is favorable for the life of bacteria and the appearance of inflammation.
The sun changes the chemical composition of sebum, it becomes more dense and often forms plugs in the glands.

How to prevent "summer" rashes?

So that summer does not become stressful for the skin after a long break, you should appear in the sun gradually. The skin will get used to the UV rays and the reaction will not be as acute.

You need to wash your face in the heat not only in the morning and evening (this is a mandatory minimum), but also during the day. For intermediate washing, it is enough to wipe the face with a cotton pad moistened with tonic or thermal water. The latter are different in saturation with microelements - depending on the source from which it was obtained. In summer, thermal water with selenium works especially well. It is a natural antioxidant that protects the skin from the effects of free radicals and soothes after sun exposure. Selenium is contained in the thermal springs of France, and the package usually indicates where the water comes from.

Spray thermal water while in the shade and do not leave to dry on the skin. Water droplets turn into small magnifiers and in the sun can cause a burn. After one or two minutes after application, blot your face with a tissue. Minerals during this time will have time to saturate the skin, and if you leave the water to evaporate on its own, then the desired hydration will end with an unpleasant feeling of tightness.

For morning and evening cleansing, dermatologist Dr. Robinson recommends products containing salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. For gentle cleansing of the skin, an exfoliating gel is suitable, but without microgranules.

GARNIER Cleansing Gel Clear skin, anti-blackheads

EVA ESTHETIC Cleansing Gel for combination and oily skin

Salicylic Cleanser IMMUNO Propeller for Sensitive Skin

If you use scrubs in washing, then for the summer you should refuse them. Hydroxy acids (AHA / BHA) cope with cleansing and acne, but in the sunny period they are also dangerous and can provoke pigmentation. Therefore, if you cannot do without acids, then cleanse your skin only before going to bed, do not plan trips to the beach the next day and be sure to use a cream with SPF protection.

For skin prone to oiliness and breakouts, dermatologists recommend an oil-free sunscreen base. Any cosmetic products should be oil-free so that pores do not clog and unabsorbed fat does not provoke acne exacerbations. But still, there are oils that oily skin will make friends with: with polyunsaturated fatty acids, that is, non-ocmedogenic. They liquefy sebum and clog pores less. These include: argan, mineral, tomato, shea, blackcurrant, rosehip and others. There is a special table of comedogenicity, according to which it is convenient to check oils. They wrote about it here.

If you have oily skin, pay attention to masks with tomato extract. After such a mask, the skin is not sticky and is not oversaturated with active substances.

WEIS Facial Mask with Tomato Extract

If you have to stay in the sun or on the beach for a long time, then it is advisable to renew the cream. It is important to apply it on clean skin, otherwise all the dust and dirt from the previous coating will go straight into the pores.

It is important to drink a lot in summer, and not only to prevent dehydration: frequent drinking also helps to get rid of acne. Thorough cleansing and maintaining water balance are the basis of clear and healthy skin when it is sunny and stuffy outside.

To benefit from the sun, cosmetologist from St. Petersburg Alla Nikolaeva advises sunbathing during safe hours: from 7 to 12 in the morning and from 18 to 21 in the evening.

And the last tip, which is relevant at any time of the year - less stress. Diseases appear from it, worse than acne, but they also pop up. Take care of yourself and your health, and then the summer will truly delight.

Pimples on the skin of the face from the sun - what to do

Does your skin react strangely to UV light? Have you noticed that you get acne from the sun? Let's figure out why this can happen and how to reconcile you with the sun's rays!

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The reasons

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Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

This unpleasant phenomenon can be found as many as five quite logical explanations.

First and most incredible: you suffer from a natural intolerance to ultraviolet rays. Scientifically, this disease is called photodermatitis. It is said that it was it that gave people with a rich imagination the ground for creating legends about vampires. In fact, "allergy to the sun" is a rather rare skin pathology, it manifests itself in only 2% of people around the world and requires specialized outpatient treatment.

The second, much more possible: you spend too much time on the beach, your skin becomes too dry, and the sebaceous glands begin to behave unpredictably. Intense exposure to ultraviolet radiation leads to the fact that the pores become clogged with fat and dead cells. All this becomes inflamed over time and turns into red, inflamed pimples, often with purulent contents. What to do? Dose the time spent in the sun, sunbathe only during "safe" hours: before 10 am and after 4 pm. And in your case, it’s better not to abuse the solarium!

The third reason is related to the wrong choice of sunscreen cosmetics. It is important that milk or spray with UV filters not only protect against burns, but also suit your skin. If they are chosen incorrectly, then acne after the sun will appear, like an allergy to cosmetics. Most often, such reactions are observed as a result of using products with essential oils of sandalwood, musk, amber, tea tree, rosemary. But sometimes even completely harmless, at first glance, components can cause an undesirable effect. Choosing the right composition is usually necessary through trial and error.

Fourth, excessive sweating. It may well be that the true cause of inflammation is actually not the sun, but a reaction to it.