Summer brings more than hurricanes

May 31, 2022 2 min read

Fun-in-the-sun season is here and a good time to talk about the most serious kind of sun damage, sun blisters. Sun blisters are a sign of a serious sunburn and are linked to melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

MedStar Health dermatologists offer the following facts and recommendations about sun blisters.

Sun Blister Facts:

• Blisters contain a liquid called serum that comes from surrounding tissues

• Sun blisters can happen on any exposed area of skin

• Often blisters on the lips after sun exposure are a reactivation of the herpes simplex virus, which is very common.

• The deeper the blister, the more serious the damage and can last days or even weeks, depending on the severity.

• Discoloration from a sun blister can last for weeks or even months.

Sun Blister First Aid Tips:

• Don’t pop or open a blister. The top skin is a good natural bandage and can prevent infection

• Apply cool compresses or cool water/bath

• Do not apply ice directly which can irritate the skin

• Topical anesthetic medications can be more irritating than helpful

• Apply fragrance-free cream to blisters for relief

• Topical steroids do NOT help sun blisters

• Oral anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen can be helpful if determined to be safe by your doctor

When to call the doctor for sun blisters:

• If infection is a concern. Pus or expanding redness can indicate a serious infection.

• If blisters are widespread

• Fevers

• Chills

• Passing out or feeling lightheaded

Source: MedStar Health