Severe Sunburn - Blisters covering my face!

[josh.thomas]

Good Evening! Well, what a 24 hours. I went out in the sun yesterday, only to come inside, feeling slightly hot and a bit pink, so I covered my arms, legs, face and neck (only areas exposed) in After Sun with Aloe Vera. I went to bed at 1am, feeling very hot, and woke up at 2am, with all my limbs and face PURPLE. I had lumps on my face, and on checking in the bathroom, I had boils or blisters. They started out as 2 or 3, they have now developed and literally cover the whole of my face, everywhere, white lumps/shapes.

I went to the Casualty department this morning as my skin is literally purple, even after using a bottle of after sun. Casualty told me I had incredibly bad burns, and gave me pain killers and a special after sun to buy. I am terribly worried about the blisters. They have literally covered my face - friends have had the odd 1 or 2 on holiday but never totally covered - will they go? will they leave scars? how long will they take to go?

I am so worried, the pain itself is slowly going away, and the redness will go (as it always does) but I have never ever experienced blisted, and I am quite literally crying over them. Someone please tell me, will they go? how long will they take to disappear? what can i do to make them abandon ship faster! PLEASE HELP ME!

[Shipstabber]

I recently had severe sunburn on my lower back, and found that E45 cream worked wonders for the recovery period, especially during the itchy phase!

[josh.thomas]

I have just entered the itchy phase but its not peeling that much, unless I force it myself (but it comes off very easily!) Its driving me mad, I cant scratch because it will bleed, and theres still some very sore patches on my face from the sunburn.. I want to jump in a bath but I can't because of the burns on my legs!

[spangle111]

Glad your face is feeling better Josh try and keep your feet raised and this will help the swelling to go down quicker. If your body is still sore and painful try having a cool bath with plenty of salt in it - it's soothing and healing and will help to keep any blistered parts clean. Get well soon sweetie and let us know how you are doing lol x

[josh.thomas]

Spangle your a Godess! How are you so nice, lol, I am not used to this Laydee! Thanks everyone for everything though... You really have saved me a lot of worrying... x

[Martch]

Josh - you should be ok in a few days. I'm very pale skinned and avoid the sun, but a few years ago I stupidly fell asleep in it in India. Despite having factor 30 on my face and neck were very badly burned like yours are. The pain went after a couple of days but my I spent about a week rubbing Aloe Vera in every few minutes and my lips have never been the same, I'm forever putting lip balm on them. Hopefully this won't happen to you.

I can't help thinking what we need is to change the idea that tans are superior to whatever your natural skin tone is.

[josh.thomas]

Thanks for your post.. I am very sorry to hear about what happened to you, and the damage it has caused - I really hope you do some day, some how, find comfort.

The reason I go in the sun is a stupid one. 2 years ago I had Meningitis A 'The Killer' (Meningacocal Septicemia - however its spelled) and because of this, my skin has tiny tiny red dots, marks left from the disease, and a few scars from it. They show up on my naturally pale skin - so I do try and cover them with a tan. Stupid I know, as its a small price to pay after what I lived through - I could have been lost my hearing or limbs. Its stupid I know...

[spangle111]

Evening Josh how are you feeling today? Hope the legs are getting better too. In future, if you want to get a tan on your face why not try limited use of a sun lamp and use it to keep a little bit of colour in your cheeks - I'm not nice really, just don't like to hear about anyone upset about anything. Look after yourself x

[josh.thomas]

Well Dr. Spangle I am improving at quite a nice pace.. 3/4 of my face has peeled, although where I had blisters, the new skin has come through bright pink, where as the rest of the new skin is nice and white. Also, the pink skin is very tender. Should this be a worry? My arms are coming along nicely, with a tan I might add... and my legs have cleared up, although the bottom half of my shins, ankles and feet are still incredibly burnt and sore... Take care yourself Spangle x

[spangle111]

Keep on with the aftersun until your skin is back to normal sweetie, anything with aloe in it will be both soothing and healing - don't worry that the skin is still pink its very early days yet and your skin will soon be looking as good as new. As for your legs, keep taking salt baths and don't forget to moisturise - think I may have missed my vocation here Josh what do you think?! Keep smiling x

[MargeB]

Consider yourself lucky. A friend of mine on a drunken holiday in Tenerife was in the same condition, and required hospital treatment, after 8 hours in the scorching sun. The only sunblock he had was factor 45 SP, spelling the word W*NK*R on his forehead, much to the amusement of hospital staff.

[Rosanna]

I burnt my face badly after a day in the sun about 10 years ago. Again slathered nivea all over it as I knew it was burnt but well what a shock next morning. Funny white pimples, very swollen and puffy etc.  Think basically the cream had sealed over my face and caused the skin underneath to fry! Anyway after about a week all the blisters turned very dark and hard. When the peeling started I looked quite horrific with quite thick layers coming away from my face. Was painful and difficult even to fully open my mouth.  However all healed very well, no scares whatsoever or anything so was prob quite lucky. When all the skin has come off remeber that that the very 'young skin' will be very sensitive so treat with care. Just keep it clean, moisturised and don't go near the sun! I still sunbathe but careful with my skin and never really put my face in it at all - flip gone on a bit there!

[josh.thomas]

Hello.. Spangle, if your around hello to you as well... Course not, you didn't go on Rosanna, was very helpfull. My face is in the later stage of peeling, and my arms have totally healed. My legs however have takena turn for the worst. After applying aftersuns - no luck, moisturisers - no luck, and finally - vaseline - still no luck; my legs have become blistered around my very swollen ankles, and lumpy. The pain is excrutiating! I cannot walk, and I think besides the worry of my face being left dissfigured - this is the worst part of the sunburn. Any ideas? Oh by the way, I rinsed my legs yesterday morning under a freezing shower (felt like heaven!) and I surprisingly had no pain all day long, some slight disscomfort, but my legs were bare with no cream or pain killers.. is this the way to go? x

[spangle111]

Hi Josh, sorry to hear about the problems with your legs, if using nothing at all is making you more comfortable than all the lotions and potions then go for it love! Are you allergic to anything or is the skin broken at all? If it is then I should consider going back to the docs just to rule out any chance of infection because it sounds really nasty. It will heal but you want it sooner rather than later sweetie - we want you back on your feet! Wherever possible lay down with your feet raised as this will help to reduce the swelling. Oh, and keep drinking plenty of water or cool drinks as this will stop you getting dehydrated. Take care sweetie and don't forget to let me know how you are getting on xx

[josh.thomas]

Good afternoon lovely! Well the skin isnt broken, around my ankles, I guess where the joint would be when I walk - there is a crack, but its not an open wound, its just very stiff, sore skin. Its on my leg, on the top side, straight across joining either side of my ankles - thats the main soreness, but its not open. Well the reason I have been applying moisturisers, aftersuns and so forth is because this is what I have been recommended and to stay away from water whenever possible as it will dry the skin out - its having water on my legs, washing them, and letting the air get to them that feels better, less trapped, as Rosanna said? I can't even wash them now as the blisters I had on my face were miniscule compared to the ones on my legs.. what a state for a 16 year old to be in! I like my Saturday nights, lol, looks like theres gonna be dancing without me this week! Maybe a nice COOL bath with help clean my legs without direct contact, so I wont have to touch or aggrivate the blisters... Take care everyone, a big thank you to my personal Health Therapist, Spangle (as usual) Take care all x

[josh.thomas]

Good afternoon all... Well, I'm cured, apart from my legs - they feel better, look worse... its hard to explain but a cluster of 4 blisters burts on my right ankle, and it seems the area is now one unified blister, lol, the skin just falls off and oozes this clear liquid - it looks vile! It doesn't hurt, just looks disgusting.... hoping it clears soon, I haven't left the house for over a week *whimpers* lol x

[spangle111]

Hi Josh - just doing my rounds - how is the healing process coming along? If your skin is still weeping take some salt water baths to speed up the healing. Take care x

[josh.thomas]

Hey Spangle! The healing process seems to be doing ok - my legs have stopped oozing, and the blistered area of skin has gone down, legs are now very rough - like my face went before it went into manic peel mode. So I am going to give it until about Weds/Thurs of next week and I think it should all have cleared up.. Fingers crossed! Hope your ok. x

[spangle111]

Hi Josh, long time no hear, how are you now love, all better I hope? Weather here is starting to look good again so don't forget the sun cream this time! lol xx

[josh.thomas]

Hello hunny.. well I'm 99% better... legs are a tiny, tiny tiny, tiny (so small) bit scalley... something like a fish, but only on either ankle, other than that its perfect - no redness, blisters, scars.. I have new faith in the human body! And, as always, faith in AB, especially you Spangle, thanks very much for all your kind words, and advice, as well as everyone else, and for caring so much as to post a get well message nearly daily.. it means a lot. Thanks all, and remember, keep safe! Don't be a pillo*k like me - wear suncream, you WILL tan with aftersun (I have done research whilst been disabled lol) x