Sunburn with blisters: 5 things to do right away

After exposure without sufficient protection, you suffer fromone (or more) sunburn with blisters ? These second degree burns are highly damaging to the health of the skin. Especially until puberty because the skin and the eyes are more fragile and more sensitive to UV rays. Sunburn and repeated exposure in young ages of life is a major cause of the development of skin cancer (melanoma) in adulthood. THE crystallinewho is transparent during childhood and adolescence, cannot play its role as a natural barrier against UV rays. “It is absolutely necessary to avoid these sunburns” insists Marc Perrussel, dermatologist and venerologist attached to the University Hospital of Rennes and vice-president of the national union of dermatologists. What to do without waiting?

1. Stop exposing yourself to the sun

Once the sunburn is caught, “Above all, you should not expose yourself to the sun” insists Dr. Perrussel. Even with clothing. It is absolutely necessary to stay in the shade as long as the sunburn burns and then cover the skin with cloth when it is finished.

2. Refresh the burnt area

Cool the burnt area withcold water, damp cloth or one fogger can help relieve pain and the sensation of heat. At the same time, you have to stay hydrated. drink water regularly in case of sunburn.

3. Do not drill if the blister is small

“If the blister is small and painlessbetter don’t touch itr, it should resolve naturally” explains Marc Perrussel. “If we break the blister, it’s the open door to the risk of infection. Moreover, the fluid present in the blister promotes healing“ recalls pharmacist Justine Delestrées. So we don’t drill “but clean with soapy water” adds our interlocutor.

4. Disinfect if the blister breaks

“When the blister eventually bursts on its own, it must be disinfected with a topical antiseptic to prevent infection“ continues the pharmacist. On the other hand, we do not put any cream on this type of sunburn. A greasy ointment, neutral, without perfume or alcohol dedicated to healing can do good. But “I do not recommend putting on after-sun cream. on the pierced blister, it is a cream that moisturizes (which is good in case of sunburn without blisters but insufficient in case of blisters, editor’s note) not a healing cream.”

5. Apply Biafine if there is no infection

It is possible to apply Biafine® since this preferred cream in the event of sunburn is indicated in the treatment of second degree burns (which is the case here since there are blisters) but the application is only possible in the absence of infection. “Thus, as soon as a suppuration (presence of pus), cream should no longer be applied and an medical consultation is recommended to benefit from an adapted treatment, for example an antibiotic cream” specifies Justine Delestrées. The doctor can also prescribe specific dressings to absorb the burn more quickly. “For large areas of skin, these bandages are very expensivea medical prescription allows the patient to benefit from reimbursement by the Health Insurance” emphasizes the specialist.

Prevention: be extra vigilant when returning to the sun

• Avoid exposure between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. These are the times when the ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the sun are most intense.
• Protect yourself by wearing T-shirt, glasses and hat.
• Regularly apply sunscreen in sufficient layers to all parts of your body not covered by clothing. Choose a protection factor 50.
• Reapply every 2 hours and, of course, after each swim. Attention ! It is not because you apply sunscreen that you can expose yourself longer.

Thanks to Marc Perrussel, dermatologist and venerologist attached to the University Hospital of Rennes and vice-president of the national union of dermatologists and pharmacist Justine Delestrées.