How to care for blistering sunburn

Move indoors or into shade, use a cool shower or damp compress, and avoid ice directly on the skin. Do not deliberately pop the blisters: their roofs protect the raw tissue beneath from friction and infection.

Ultraviolet exposure can injure skin beyond the surface layer, allowing fluid to collect between damaged layers. Redness and pain may continue to develop after leaving the sun, and peeling can follow as injured cells shed.

The seriousness depends on the area involved, blister size and location, pain, hydration, age, and general health. Blisters on the face, hands, genitals, or across a broad body area deserve a lower threshold for clinical advice.

After gentle cooling, pat the skin dry. Loose clothing and a non-stick dressing can limit rubbing. A plain, fragrance-free moisturiser or petroleum jelly may support comfort on intact skin; avoid numbing sprays, butter, toothpaste, and fragranced remedies that can irritate the burn.

If a blister opens by itself, wash your hands, rinse the area gently, keep the blister roof in place, and cover it with a clean non-stick dressing. Drink fluids regularly and stay out of direct sun while the skin heals. A pharmacist or clinician can advise on pain relief that fits your medicines and health conditions.

Seek urgent medical help for confusion, fainting, marked drowsiness, repeated vomiting, difficulty drinking, severe headache, breathing difficulty, or signs of significant dehydration. Extensive blistering, severe uncontrolled pain, or a burn affecting a baby or medically frail person also needs prompt assessment.

Have the skin reviewed if redness spreads beyond the burn, pain or swelling worsens, pus appears, fever develops, or an open blister is not healing. These changes can indicate infection rather than the expected course of sunburn.

Ask how to dress any open areas, which moisturisers or medicines are suitable, and what infection signs to watch for. Once healed, discuss sun-protective clothing, shade planning, and a sunscreen that suits your skin so another burn is less likely.