Sun Poisoning or Sunburn: Blisters, Symptoms, Remedies, Treatment

Sunburn is referred to as the skin injury caused by heat and radiation. Too much exposure to ultraviolet light from sunshine or artificial sources, such as sunlamp is considered to be the primary cause of this problem.

The redness is caused due to the first-degree burn as it affects the top layer of the skin. Sometimes it may also lead to light peeling of the skin within 28-48 hours after the injury.

It takes several days or more to fade away completely.

The Sun blisters are caused due to the second-degree burns. These are quite dangerous and takes time to heal correctly. It generally begins to appear in a few hours after the sunburn occurs. Sometimes, it might even take 24 hours to appear.

Repeated sun exposure can also cause various skin problems or diseases, like dark spots, rough spots, dry or wrinkled skin, and skin cancers too.

There are several symptoms which could tell that it’s sunburn, take a look at these symptoms.

Symptoms Of Sunburn

Sunburn has following symptoms-

• Pinkness and redness
• Itchiness
• Raised areas on the skin (hives)
• Swelling
• Small fluid-filled blisters
• Pain and tenderness.
• A headache, nausea, fever, and fatigue (if it is quite severe)

These symptoms usually appear within a few hours, but may take a day or more to know the extent of the same.

So, when do you need to see a doctor?

• If the sunburn does not reduce in a few days.
• The blistering covers a large part of your body.
• Increase in swelling
• Yellow drainage (pus) through an open blister
• Increase in pain and tenderness
• If you are suffering from fever, nausea, and headache due to the sunburn.

Let’s discuss the causes of sunburn-

If you think that sunburn is like an injury which is easy to be affected with, in summer, then let me correct you here, you are profoundly mistaken.

Sunburn can also be caused on a cloudy or cool day. Because snow, water, and sand can reflect UV rays and can cause severe damage as severely as direct sunlight.

The UV radiation is referred to as the wavelength of sunlight and is in too short range to be visible by a human eye.

Ultraviolet A is associated with skin aging, and Ultraviolet B is associated with sunburn. Both types of UV’s can be dangerous and may lead to cancer.

Some of the artificial lights like tanning beds and sunlamps can cause sunburn as they also produce UV light.

So, why does the body Tan occur?

There is a pigment in the outer layer of the skin which gives the body its normal color; this pigment is called Melanin. When the skin is exposed to the UV light, there is a sudden increase in the production of Melanin to protect the skin. This extra melanin leads to skin tan.

But some people don’t produce enough melanin to protect the skin which ultimately leads to sunburn-causing redness and pain.

Prevention

It is already discovered that the UV light is more intense in water, snow, and sand. So, being extra careful around these areas and following these tips will help you.

• It’s is better to wrap yourself up, as whenever you go outside wearing dark clothes which can cover your whole is suggested to be worn. You can also wear a wide-brimmed hat to provide shade to your head.
• Wear sunglasses whenever you go out on a sunny day. Eyes are the most delicate part of the body. Therefore they need extra care. So, wearing sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection which fit your face and have wraparound frames to block sunlight from different angles is a high pick.
• Check the UPF, i.e., Ultraviolet Protection Factor while choosing fabric for going out in harsh sunlight.
• If your skin is a bit sensitive, then it’s better to avoid the sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm. At this time of the day, the sun’s rays are the strongest.

     Points to remember-

• Use sunscreen with high SPF; you can use SPF 30 or may be greater. So, apply the sunscreen 15-30 before going outdoors. Reapply the sunscreen in every two hours you are actively out under the sun.
• There are some of the medications which the skin more sensitive t sun, these medications should be avoided. Some of these medicines are antibiotics, antidepressants, ibuprofen, and cholesterol-lowering drugs. Also, the drugs which treat acne may cause an increased likelihood of burning. So, it’s better to consult your doctor in this matter.
• If you think that you might have gotten a sunburn, then it is better to cool off faster, and stay in shades or indoors. Also, you can rinse your skin with cold water and drink more water.

Treatment/Remedies of Sunburn

There are several ways of treating the sunburn or sun blisters at home. People who need to treat this injury at home can follow these tips-

• Hydrate yourself – In other words, drink a lot of water if you think you have sunburns. Because the sun burns dehydrate your body, so to feel energized and overcome the dehydration to achieve faster healing drinking water is the foremost treatment one should get.
• Moisturize your skin – For making a faster improvement, it is good to moisturize your skin, as moisture is suitable for such healing. So, apply moisturizer on the burnt parts.
• Provide Coolness to the blisters – To take out the heat from the skin for providing relief to the blisters you can place cold and damp compresses on the blisters.
• Intake Advil to reduce swelling – The swelling caused due to the blisters can be painful and very discomforting. So to avoid such swelling, it is better to take ibuprofen.
• Don’t scratch or pick the blisters – It is advised not to pull or pop the blisters as it can lead to severe infection and may leave a scar even after the healing. Keep the burned area clean and apply antibiotic ointment, and cover it up with a bandage.
• No to the sun – It is better to avoid sun exposure till the injury is properly healed.