How much we love sunbath?
When it’s summer, we just wanna around in the sun lazily. However, overdoing anything isn’t good at all.
This applies in case of excessive sun exposer as well. Not only it can cause sunburn, sun poisoning, and even sunburn blisters.
Have you got sunburn and blisters too?
Table of Contents
- 1 What Causes Sunburn Blisters?
- 2 Signs and Symptoms of Sunburn Blisters
- 3 How to Get Rid of Sunburn Blisters to Restore Your Skin?
- 4 10 Effective Home Remedies To Heal Sunburn Blisters
- 5 When To Call A Doctor
- 6 Get Rid Of Sunburn Blisters – FAQ’s
- 6.1 Q1: What do you put on sunburn blisters?
- 6.2 Q2: How long do sun blisters take to heal?
- 6.3 Q3: Should I go to the doctor if I have blisters from sunburn?
- 6.4 Q4: Do blisters mean sunburn is healing?
- 6.5 Q5: Should you keep a blister moist or dry?
- 6.6 Q6: How do you sleep with sunburn blisters?
- 6.7 Q7: What to put on popped sunburn blisters?
- 6.8 Q8: Do sunburn blisters scar?
- 7 Getting Rid of Sunburn
Don’t get mad! Obviously, sunburn blisters are very painful. Still, the right treatment and care can help heal them quicker.
In this blog, we will share effective skincare routines and prevention tips to clear this mess. Before we know How To Get Rid Of Sunburn Blisters, let’s know what causes them.
What Causes Sunburn Blisters?
Sunburn blisters pictures are scary. The excessive redden skin and fluid-filled pimples. It just makes your skin health pathetic.
Still, certain treatments can remove them quickly. The tips on how to care for sunburn blisters will only work when you know how it occurs in the first place.
- Usually, sunburn occurs due to excessive sun exposure to sensitive skin types.
The skin problem is quite common in western countries due to the specific skin complexion, which lacks melatonin. Also, it can occur to any skin type with sensitivity.
However, it is a second-degree burn from sun exposure leading to sunburn blisters. Typically, they appear as small bumps over your skin.
They are either white or transparent containing fluid, which can be serum, blood, plasma, lymph, or pus.
Do more severe burns last longer?
Sometimes sunburns last longer than usual. It entirely depends on the severity of the skin problem.
#1: Mild sunburns
Mild sunburns result in redness and pain. This usually lasts from three to five days. Patients may experience skin peeling in the last few days because of skin regeneration.
#2: Moderate sunburns
These are comparatively more painful. Your skin gets swollen, red, painful, and hot to the touch. Typically, it takes around a week to completely heal. Afterward, the skin may continue to peel for a couple of days.
#3: Severe sunburns
This skin condition sometimes requires consultation with your doctor or a visit to a hospital. Severe sunburns are generally very painful red blisters.
In fact, it may take more than two weeks to completely recover. If you don’t go to a hospital, you have to stay home until you recover.
What are the Factors that Affect Duration of a Sunburn?
Various factors may affect how long your small sunburn blisters remain. Certainly, everyone’s skin reacts differently to the same sun exposure.
Usually, the following factors affect the severity of sunburns and the time it takes to heal them
- Skin complexion, fair or light skin
- freckles or red or fair hair
- ozone holes
- tanning beds
- high altitudes
- living or visiting places near the equator
- exposure to sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (intense and maximum sunny hours)
- certain medication that makes you more prone to burns (photosensitizing medications)
This was basic info about the skin condition on our guide to how to get rid of sunburn blisters fast.
Now, it’s time to Know the Signs and Symptoms of Sunburn Blisters. This will help you distinguish your condition.
Signs and Symptoms of Sunburn Blisters
A mild sunburn looks like a new red or pink-colored skin. Initially, they are tender to touch and peels off a couple of days later.
However, when you get sunburn blisters, it means the UV rays have led to a second-degree burn. Knowing how to treat second-degree sunburn blisters is important. Obviously, severe sunburns take much time to heal.
How to know if you have second-degree sunburn blisters? Go through the Symptoms of Sunburn Blisters and examine your skin.
1) Sun Exposure
Typically, sunburn is at its worst about 24 hours post-sun exposure. Also, second-degree sunburn blisters are likely to pop up on your skin in the initial hours or under one day after being out.
2) White Or Clear Lesions
These small blisters from sun exposure are small, clear or white, and filled with fluid. You may encounter a cluster of tiny blisters covering a huge area of your skin. Sometimes, it can be half an inch in diameter or bigger, these are large ones.
3) Red, Swollen Skin
Obviously, small blisters on the skin after sun exposure are signs of severe sunburn. Thus, besides blisters, you may encounter other typical signs of severe sunburn.
The skin around the bumps would be redder, tender, and a bit more swollen.
4) Pain and Itching
The skin condition isn’t just uncomfortable, but exceptionally painful. Certainly, blisters are more likely to be painful.
In the case of severe ones, the pain is going to be excessive. Also, they might be extremely itching as they begin to heal.
If you encounter these Signs and Symptoms of Sunburn Blisters, you need to go for treatment. Thus, knowing how to treat sunburn blisters is important.
How to Get Rid of Sunburn Blisters to Restore Your Skin?
Severe sunburn results in a higher risk of skin cancer.
This is why protection from the sun is important. Also, if you have already got small blisters from sun exposure, you don’t need to worry.
Here’s how to relieve sunburn blisters easily and effectively.
#1: Don’t Pick or Peel the Blisters
Blisters are painful as well as annoying. However, it won’t be right to get them off by picking or peeling.
In fact, doing so can increase the infection, which you would not want to encounter. This is especially recommended in the case of a big blister.
Still, you can press on the blister gentle to remove the liquid underneath.
#2: Keep A Popped Blister Covered
Whether you popped them or it did naturally, you need to cover them. First, apply an ointment and using a bandage cover it.
#3: Cool Off
Your sunburned skin gets you hot flashes. So cooling them off will be a little helpful.
Either you can take a cool shower or bath, or apply a cold compress. Skip putting ice directly.
When taking a shower or a bath, use gentle soap or body wash to prevent possible irritation.
#4: Apply Moisturizer
Keeping your blister covered is important. Nonetheless, you need to treat the surrounding burns with additional care.
Use a high moisturizing skincare routine to help. Use gentle soap, body lotion, or aloe vera gel.
#5: Take Ibuprofen
Sunburns are excessively painful. On top of that, blisters make it an entire pathetic situation.
However, taking ibuprofen reduces swelling and eases the pain.
#6: Stay Out of The Sun
This is obvious, but worth getting to your notice. You already have your skin blistered by the damage of UV rays.
More exposure may get the situation worse. Simply, stay out of the sun.
Don’t go out. Stay in a tanning bed. If you are going out, cover yourself with loose clothes. This won’t hurt small white bumps after sunburn. Also, it would protect from UV and other harmful sun rays.
#7: Stay Hydrated
While a special skincare routine hydrates your skin outside-in, a big glass of water hydrates your skin inside-out.
Obviously, sunrays dry your skin. Drinking a couple of glasses of water will always be favorable for your skin.
Generally, these tips on how to treat sun poisoning blisters are helpful. However, it may not be enough for everyone. Trying some home remedies may work.
10 Effective Home Remedies To Heal Sunburn Blisters
Small bubbles on the skin from the sun aren’t just irritating but painful as well.
Other tips on getting rid of the skin blisters may help but won’t work that quick. In such cases, applying natural home remedies for sunburn blisters may help.
#1: Cold Compress
Using a cold compress helps in lessening, the heat, pain, and swelling.
- All you have to do is wrap an ice pack in a soft towel and put it on the burn.
Indeed, never place ice on the burns as it can aggravate the damage. Applying cold compress throughout the day for 10–15-minute intervals offers greater results.
#2: Moisturizer
Once your skin cools off, it’s time to fight off the dryness. You can soothe your skin by applying an alcohol-free moisturizer with vitamin E or aloe.
- Keep applying moisturizer throughout the day to keep the skin hydration locked in.
Also, Hydrocortisone creams can help relieve the pain quickly.
#3: Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is the best remedy for sunburn blister. You can apply the gel of the cactus plant, which helps in relieving the discomfort, increasing healing, and moisturizing your skin.
Instead, you can buy pure aloe vera gel available at your local drugstore.
However, skip it if you are allergic to aloe. First, perform a patch test to confirm.
#4: Honey
It may be sticky, but for better. In fact, studies have approved its various antibiotic properties.
- It speeds up the healing process, lessens infection, and reduces pains.
For toddlers younger than a year, skip the home remedy for sunburn blisters.
#5: Oatmeal Bath
Finely ground oatmeal (colloidal oatmeal available in drug stores) functions as an effective anti-inflammatory when used in bathwater. Also, you can prepare your own at home.
You have to pulverize a cup of instant oatmeal in a food processor or blender until it has a fine consistency.
Next, pour it into the tepid bath water and soak.
#6: Witch Hazel
- Wet a cotton gauze or washcloth with the astringent and apply it to your skin for 20 minutes.
- Reapply it three times or even four to lessen the pain and itching.
The anti-inflammatory effect may help your sunburn, but it might not be good for blisters. It is a post-blister home remedy.
#7: Tea
- Put a cotton gauze or washcloth in brewed tea.
- Select as per your preference chamomile, black, or green tea—on the affected area to relieve the pain.
Because it is a hundred percent natural it is a good home remedy for sunburn on the face. Remember use it only the sunburn blisters are gone.
#8: Coconut Oil
Some specialist recommends the use of cold-pressed, organic coconut oil to heal the dryness and irritation in sunburn.
- You should only apply it only when your skin is cool and blisters have gone.
This is because it may trap the heat and the symptoms of sunburn blisters may worsen. So, use the natural sunburn remedy, only when sweat blisters after sunburn have healed.
#9: Baking Soda or Cornstarch
Soaking in bathwater mixing baking soda or cornstarch helps cure itching and inflammation.
- Instead, mix the ingredient with water to make a paste, apply it to the affected area.
Again, the natural home remedy for sunburn is applicable when the blisters have disappeared.
10: Vinegar
Vinegar contains acetic acid, which alleviates pain, itching, and inflammation.
- Either pour one cup of apple cider vinegar in bathwater.
- Or you can soak it in a washcloth and apply it to the sunburned skin directly for 10-15 minutes.
Again, the home remedy is applicable after blisters are no more present.
These home remedies are highly effective. However, some of them should be used only after the blisters have healed.
These tips naturally heal your skin and help you get a better skin condition. So, we couldn’t miss them in our guide on How to Get Rid of Sunburn Blisters.
In certain cases, the minor tips might not work and you may need a doctor. You need to know when?
When To Call A Doctor
A mild sunburn doesn’t need a doctor or hospital visit. On the contrary, a severe sunburn may require one.
In three different cases, it is important to call the doctor for treating sunburn blisters.
#1: In case of An Infected Blister
Generally, painful sunburn blisters heal on themselves without the need for a doctor’s visit.
However, the problem is infections in blisters, when it pops. If you encounter red streaks around your blister or pus leaking, it is time to call the doctor.
#2: In the case of Sun Poisoning
Another case requiring medical assistance is sun poisoning.
If your sunburn severity high enough to lead to blisters, there is no more question. Indeed, it is a high probability of sun poisoning.
Call your doctor if encounter these expect your sunburn symptoms:
- Chills
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Dehydration
- Nausea or vomiting
- Severe pain or swelling
#3: In case you are Unsure
It isn’t that tough to examine if you have sunburn blisters.
Undoubtedly, the fluid-filled lesions pop out a couple of hours after you went into the sun for sure.
However, if you aren’t sure if the bumps on the skin are sunburn blisters or not, it won’t be bad to seek an appointment with the doctor.
No one wants to encounter a situation when they have to go through all the remedies and treatment. And the long period of staying in.
Rather than searching how to get rid of sweat blisters from sunburn, why not taking preventive measures in the first place.
Isn’t it a good idea?
Preventing Sunburn Blisters
Want to ensure you never ever encounter sunburn blisters again?
Well, trying the preventive measures, in the first place can help.
The prevention of sunburn blisters starts with serious sun protection. In fact, get these tips into your lifestyle for better results.
- Wear a working, safe sunscreen
- Reapply sunscreen frequently
- Prevent staying outside during peak sunny hours (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- Stay in the shade when outside
- Wear protective clothing
- Apply face sunscreen daily
- Use a lipstick or chapstick with SPF
When buying sunscreen, keep additional care. Make sure it has broad-spectrum, mineral sunscreen protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
Our guide on How To Get Rid Of Sunburn Blisters ends here.
Still, certain questions require more explanation. Jump next to the section to know more…
Get Rid Of Sunburn Blisters – FAQ’s
This segment has some most frequently asked questions on sunburn blisters in general.
We have taken the help of experts to come up with the answers. We hope it helps.
Q1: What do you put on sunburn blisters?
You can apply a soothing gel or lotion to relieve the sunburn blisters. You can use aloe vera lotion or gel or calamine lotion as per your preference.
Don’t pop them out, it may worsen them. Also, for cleaning use a gentle soap, body wash, and water. You can use antibiotic ointment and cover them with a nonstick gauze bandage.
Q2: How long do sun blisters take to heal?
Sunburn blisters are highly painful. Depending on the severity it may take one to two weeks for them to completely heal.
So, no more swarm our comment section asking, “how long does it take for sun blisters to heal?”
Surprisingly, these types of burns increase the risk of skin cancer and melanoma. Once the blisters heal, the scar may remain for 6 to 12 months, which naturally fades away with time.
Q3: Should I go to the doctor if I have blisters from sunburn?
Not all kind of sunburn requires consultation from a doctor or a visit to the hospital.
However, a severe sunburn with blisters covering a large area of your body is a warning sign.
Specifically, when it accompanies a
- high fever,
- severe pain,
- headache,
- confusion,
- dehydration,
- nausea, or chills.
If you encounter these sunburn blisters symptoms call a doctor immediately, it may be a case of skin poisoning.
Q4: Do blisters mean sunburn is healing?
Blisters aren’t a sign of healing sunburn. Instead, these are signs of serious skin conditions.
Not always they show up immediately. In various cases, it may take longer for them to show up.
In case, you experience a fever, nausea, chills, or vomiting, along with severe blistering, it is vital to visit your medical health provider.
Q5: Should you keep a blister moist or dry?
Leave it alone
As new skin develops, your body absorbs the fluids. Your blisters begin to dry and flake off. However, if you peel them off, it may affect the healing time.
Thus, it is best to leave them as they are. This reduces the potential for infection.
However, you can apply certain ointments to heal them and for natural moisture.
Q6: How do you sleep with sunburn blisters?
Sleeping with sunburn blisters may be messy.
- Specifically, if they present on your back or torso and you have slather on aloe vera gel or moisturizing cream.
Concerned if it will make your bed messy and sticky? Instead, you can try aloe vera gels which moisturize your skin leaving no trace.
Q7: What to put on popped sunburn blisters?
Whether you popped the sunburn blisters or it popped on itself, sunburn blisters leaking yellow fluid is messy.
Here’s what to put on popped sunburn blisters…
- Clean the area.
- Apply an ointment.
- Cover it with a nonstick gauze bandage.
- Leave it on itself.
Q8: Do sunburn blisters scar?
Your sunburn blisters may heal in two weeks’ time.
However, it leaves dark or light spots on your skin depending on the size of blisters and the affected area.
It may take almost 6 to 12 months for them to completely disappear. Still, with time, they generally fade away.
At last, we’ve shared a summed-up overview of How to Get Rid Of Sunburn Blisters. Do have a look for concise info.
Getting Rid of Sunburn
Spending time in the sun after long winter maybe your favorite thing.
Still, it might not always do good. Severe sunburn in no manner is good for your skin. It leads to pathetic sunburn blisters taking almost half a month to heal. In contrast, it takes 6-12 months to fade away the scars.
The only way to heal them is by trying the tips shared in our How To Get Rid Of Sunburn Blisters. Also, you can try the different natural home remedies applicable.
The only way to prevent skin damage, in the long run, is by committing to a healthy skincare routine.
Take help from our prevention section.
- Don’t stay out for long.
- Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen cream with a higher SPF of 30 or more.
- Reapply sunscreen frequently for better protection.
- Avoid being out in peak hours.
- Avoid using harmful cosmetic products.
Do you like this article? Share with your friend struggling from sunburn blisters.