Sunburn Causes and Treatment

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Sunburn Causes and Treatment

Question:

The sunburn on my legs and has blistered in spots and is turning purple. What causes this and is there anything that I need to do now? What should I look out for?

Answer:

Sunburn leads to redness and pain that may get better over several days or it may be severe, with blistering and second degree burns. Certain medications, as well as overexposure, can increase the likelihood of severe sunburn. With minor sunburn, only the uppermost layer of skin (epidermis) is involved. With severe sunburn, deeper skin layers are involved. This can lead to scarring and possibly shock, infection and other potentially dangerous secondary results.

If your skin has blistered and is turning purple, see a dermatologist. Your dermatologist may prescribe oral medication to reduce the inflammation and possibly a topical medication to soothe and reduce the chance of infection.

Blistering sunburns increase the risk of developing skin cancer, including malignant melanoma, a potentially deadly form of the disease. Protect your skin from the sun by limiting the time you spend in the sun, wearing protective clothing and applying sunscreen. It is also important to see your doctor for a skin exam annually, or sooner if you notice any changes in moles or development of sores that do not heal.

Rebecca Campen, M.D., J.D. is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School. She divides her time between clinical practice of dermatology at the Massachusetts General Hospital and private practice in Savannah, Ga.

Last updated:	July 20, 2009