Purple Sunburn: What It May Mean and What to Do

Typical sunburn causes hot, tender, red skin, but colour can vary with natural skin tone and the severity of inflammation. Purple or dusky areas may also reflect damaged small blood vessels, swelling, or another process that is not ordinary sunburn. Peeling can follow as injured surface cells shed, and fluid-filled blisters indicate deeper injury. Sun exposure can also contribute to Sun-Damaged Skin over time. A photo and examination may be needed when the colour is new, patchy, worsening, or not improving.

Move out of the sun, cool the skin with a clean damp cloth or a cool shower, and drink fluids if you can. Apply a bland moisturiser or Emollient Therapy while the skin is intact; do not pick peeling skin or break blisters. Cover the area with loose clothing and avoid fragranced products, ice directly on the skin, and further tanning. Do not apply topical corticosteroids to blistered or broken skin unless a clinician has advised it. A clinician may discuss Topical Corticosteroids for selected inflammation, but treatment depends on the examination.

Get urgent medical help for extensive blistering, severe swelling, worsening purple or grey skin, severe pain, faintness, confusion, repeated vomiting, trouble breathing, or signs of infection such as spreading warmth, pus, or fever. Seek prompt advice for sunburn in a young child, on the face or around the eyes, or over a large body area. Skin that becomes numb or darkens markedly needs assessment rather than home monitoring.

Ask whether the colour fits sun injury, whether the blisters need a dressing, which pain relief and moisturiser are suitable, whether a medicine could be contributing to sun sensitivity, and how to protect the area while it heals.