While most cases of sun blisters can be treated at home, seek medical attention if your symptoms do not improve within a week.
Home Remedies
Common home remedies to treat sun blisters include:
- Keep moist. Keep the blistered area moist by lightly applying petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline or Aquaphor), aloe vera, or moisturizing cream. You can also cover it with gauze coated in petroleum jelly (don’t use dry gauze).
- Drink extra water. Blistering skin can cause water loss. Drinking extra water prevents dehydration and assists with wound repair.
- Use a cold, damp compress. Use a compress to reduce swelling and redness in the sunburned area.
- Don’t pick or pop the blisters. This significantly increases the chance of infection and can cause damage to the skin that could lead to scarring.
- Take a pain reliever. Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) can reduce swelling and discomfort. Aspirin may be used, but only by adults.
- Avoid sun exposure while healing. If you need to be outdoors, wear protective clothing to cover your skin and apply sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30.