Inside the blister is a thin, pink skin. It constantly gets wet and is a “gate” for infection. Contact with even ordinary dust provokes the development of an inflammatory process, which significantly lengthens the recovery period of the skin. At the site of the burn, a scar may remain under the blister, a scar that can only be removed through plastic surgery or special cosmetic procedures.
Typically, diagnosing blisters from the sun is not difficult - it is easy to associate the time a person spent under the scorching rays and the characteristic marks from their exposure. But some people have a disease called photodermatitis - this is an inadequate, allergic reaction to ultraviolet rays. Here's how to distinguish a burn from an allergy :
- photodermatitis is a problem in the functioning of the immune system, and blisters are a consequence of the destruction of skin cells by sunlight;
- with allergies, the skin becomes thickened, swollen and clearly pigmented, but with blisters due to a burn, no such changes are observed;
- after a severe burn, blisters are always large in size with liquid contents inside; with photodermatitis, small blisters may appear (painless, no burning sensation).
Severe sunburn with blisters
Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis . It is especially important to get help for a child, because his immune system is imperfect and complications may develop.
You can reduce pain in the areas where the blisters are located with a cool shower , but the water temperature should not be higher than 20 degrees, and the jets should not be too powerful, because this can lead to rupture of the blister film. You can replace water treatments with lotions/cold compresses. It is better to do them with a solution of furatsilin, which will work as an antiseptic.
strictly forbidden to lubricate blisters with ointments or oil . Such products form a greasy film on the surface. This way, the access of oxygen to the pathological focus will be limited, which will make the recovery process longer, and complications are possible.
It is strictly forbidden to lubricate blisters with ointments or oil.
Additional remedies for treating sun blisters in adults:
- If the pain is too severe, you can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as Ibuprofen. Take 1-2 tablets 2-3 times a day. They will not only relieve discomfort, but will also contribute to the rapid restoration of dermal cells after a sunburn.
- If your body temperature rises above 38 degrees, it is advisable to take an antipyretic drug - Paracetamol or Aspirin. If the indicators are approaching critical (40 degrees and above), and medications help reduce them only for a short time, then it is necessary to urgently call an ambulance team.
- Blisters should be lubricated with hydrophilic-based restorative creams and gels. They should not contain oils, but panthenol must be present. A good choice would be La Cree cream: its natural composition promotes the rapid disappearance of redness and itching in areas where blisters form, the product has a moisturizing and soothing effect, does not contain hormones, and is approved for children.
Blisters can also be treated with folk remedies using juice and pulp from aloe leaves . You need to take the fleshiest leaves of the plant (they grow at the bottom of the stem), wash and cut each one lengthwise. Use the inside to gently and effortlessly lubricate the blisters. Another proven method is apple cider vinegar : it is diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio, a gauze pad is moistened in the resulting solution and applied to the pathological lesion.
Turmeric powder is considered a wound healing agent, anti-inflammatory and analgesic . A small amount of water or milk is added to it and ground until an absolutely homogeneous creamy mass is obtained. You need to apply the prepared product very carefully to the blister and let it dry completely, and then rinse with cool water.
Doctors do not recommend using other medications on your own to solve the problem . If on the first day after using the products there are no results (the skin around the blisters remains distinctly red, pain is constantly present, body temperature has not returned to normal), then you need to seek help from a doctor.
You can treat blisters with juice and pulp from aloe leaves.
How to remove sunburn blisters on your face:
- Constantly cool them - wash with cool water, apply cold compresses to your face. This should be done as often as possible - at least 5-7 times a day. You should not direct water jets directly at the blisters (or they should be weak), and you should not dry yourself with a towel after water procedures.
- Treat burn areas with silver sulfadiazine cream 1% . The drug is used to treat severe chemical burns, so it will also help to quickly get rid of blisters. This medicine has many contraindications for use.
- You can stop and prevent the development of the inflammatory process with miramistin ointment or Chlorhexidine solution . They need to be used to treat blisters on the face 2-3 times a day until complete recovery.
If the blister bursts, then you cannot cut the skin ; you need to press it to the wound and apply a gauze bandage on top. The dressing is changed 1-2 times daily until the wound is completely healed and the skin is restored .
To quickly get rid of blisters, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids and adjust your diet - you need food rich in protein. You should avoid alcoholic beverages, coffee and strong black tea.
What to apply if blisters appear on a child:
- doctors recommend lubricating pathological lesions with the pulp of fresh tomatoes; this method will not only cool the burn site, but also increase the level of local immunity;
- Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Nurofen - tablets that have an analgesic and antipyretic effect, and have a weak anti-inflammatory effect;
- Acetaminophen is a pain reliever that can only be used for severe pain when the child’s sleep is disturbed;
- ointments, balms that contain panthenol - apply a thin layer to pathological lesions 3 - 5 times a day;
- Ortofen, Indomethacin - ointments with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
If within 3 days the child’s condition has not returned to normal and he is worried about elevated body temperature, then he should seek help from a doctor..
What you should absolutely not do:
- It is forbidden to puncture blisters;
- if the pathological focus is extensive, you need to consult a doctor to puncture and treat the wound;
- It is not recommended to use medicines in the form of a spray for treatment;
- sprinkle with salt, apply napkins soaked in your own urine, lubricate the areas of damage with animal fat - these measures are not therapeutic and will only complicate the situation, making the recovery process difficult, complex and lengthy.
Predictions regarding the speed of recovery depend on several factors: the age of the victim, the level of his immune system, the therapeutic measures taken, and the exclusion of sunlight from life. But on average, blisters persist for 7 days , after which they “deflate” and disappear. Over the course of another 10-15 days, the skin is restored.
Read more in our article about blisters after a sunburn.
Sunburn Blisters: Symptoms
“You need to sunbathe wisely,” doctors tell us. But we rely on the state of the body. And in vain. Sun blisters are a tricky business. They don't appear right away. Sometimes several days pass until this disease (and this is precisely a disease) appears on the skin. The body resists and tries to cope with the problem itself. If it doesn’t work, then it signals with blisters. That is, if they appear, it means that the process is in its final stage.
The disease affects the entire body. Mothers should remember: once blisters appear on the child’s skin, it means that all his systems are strained to the limit. This condition cannot be left to chance. The disease is accompanied by additional symptoms.
Among them are:
- temperature increase;
- nausea;
- dizziness;
- weakness;
- burning in the affected areas;
- photophobia.
These are all signals that the body is desperately trying to restore damaged cells. And he needs help.
