When the weather’s hot and the sun is out, it can be tempting to lie outside and soak up some sun. Sun exposure can be dangerous if you don’t adequately protect yourself. Sunburns can happen quickly, even when it’s shady. Most sunburns are mild and will heal on their own after a few days out of the sun, but in severe cases, they can cause serious symptoms like blistering. Keep reading to learn more about sunburns and what to do if your sunburn starts to blister.
At AFC Urgent Care Southcenter, our clinic is available all summer long to provide same-day walk-in care for minor conditions. If you need fast and reliable medical treatment for a minor injury or treatment for an illness, walk into the clinic! We have the shortest wait times in the area, just walk in or schedule an appointment in advance below.
Can Sunburns Blister?
Sunburns are mild surface level burns that occur when you spend too much time exposed to the sun. In most cases, sunburns cause mild discomfort, appear red and can experience some mild swelling. While it is rare, sunburns can cause surface level blistering in very severe cases. These blisters have fluid inside of them, and are very prone to infection when they burst. If your sunburn is blistering, you likely have a case of sun poisoning and may need medical treatment to prevent an infection from occurring.
At-Home Treatment Options for Mild to Moderate Sunburns
If you notice a sunburn on your skin, the first step is to get out of the sun. Getting into the shade will immediately stop the sunburn from getting worse. Avoid using hot water on the affected area, because hot water can dry out and irritate your already irritated skin. Instead, take a cool shower and apply multiple layers of plain lotion without fragrance and active ingredients to help soothe and rehydrate the skin. Continue moisturizing as much as possible, and wear loose clothing or leave the area uncovered if possible to promote healing and reduce irritation.
When to Seek Medical Care for a Severe Sunburn
Sunburns can be uncomfortable, but if you have a severe sunburn that has caused blistering on your skin, you should seek medical care. Similarly, if you have other symptoms of a heat-related illness including dizziness, blurred vision, or loss of consciousness, you need to seek medical care. Sun exposure can be very hard on your body, so be sure to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from sunburns.
Walk Into AFC Southcenter for Rapid Same-Day Medical Care
Sunburns are very common, however, they’re completely preventable with the correct skin maintenance. If you have a painful sunburn, be sure to stay out of the sun for a few days and wear loose clothing while it heals. AFC Urgent Care Southcenter is available all summer long for all of your summer healthcare needs. Our clinic accepts walk-ins and is open Monday through Saturday!
At AFC Southcenter, our board-certified medical providers are able to provide quality care for a variety of common summer ailments. We understand that your time is valuable, so we keep our wait times short so that you can get the care that you need when you need it. We work with most medical insurance plans, and offer competitive rates for self-paying patients. To learn more, walk into the clinic or give our team a call at (425) 291-3300.
