From the Guidelines
The treatment for sun poisoning with swelling and blisters should prioritize gentle skin care, pain management, and prevention of infection, with the goal of reducing morbidity, mortality, and improving quality of life. When managing blisters, it is essential to gently cleanse the blister with an antimicrobial solution, taking care not to rupture it, as recommended by the British Association of Dermatologists' guidelines for the management of pemphigus vulgaris 2017 1. The following steps can be taken:
- Gently pierce the blister at the base with a sterile needle to facilitate drainage
- Apply gentle pressure with sterile gauze swabs to absorb fluid
- Avoid deroofing the blister
- Apply a nonadherent dressing after drainage
- Offer analgesia prior to the start of the procedure to manage pain or burning sensation
- Document the number and location of new blisters on a blister chart It is also crucial to be vigilant in detecting signs of infection, as infection and sepsis are significant risks and major causes of mortality, and daily washing with an antibacterial product can decrease colonization 1. For pain control, attention should be paid to both acute and maintenance analgesia, with the ability to provide timely additional short-term boosts when needed, for example with dressing changes 1. In terms of medication, there is no direct evidence to support the use of specific medications for sun poisoning, but the guidelines for pemphigus vulgaris suggest the use of corticosteroids, such as oral prednisolone, as a first-line therapy for autoimmune blistering diseases 1. However, it is essential to note that the treatment for sun poisoning should focus on symptomatic relief and prevention of infection, rather than the use of immunosuppressive medications, which are typically reserved for autoimmune diseases like pemphigus vulgaris 1. Overall, the treatment for sun poisoning with swelling and blisters should prioritize gentle skin care, pain management, and prevention of infection, with the goal of reducing morbidity, mortality, and improving quality of life.
From the Research
Treatment for Sun Poisoning with Swelling and Blisters
The treatment for sun poisoning with swelling and blisters is primarily focused on symptomatic relief, as the damage to epidermal cells is already done.
- Symptomatic treatment of UV light-induced symptoms, including erythema, pain, and pruritus, is the most effective and practical approach to acute sunburn 2.
- There is no consensus on an algorithm for the treatment of sunburn, and the results of studies on pharmacologic agents are varying and often conflicting in terms of clinical effectiveness or feasibility 2.
- Topical antimicrobials may be used to prevent infection in burn wounds, including those caused by sun poisoning, but their effectiveness in treating sunburn specifically is not well established 3, 4.
Topical Antimicrobials and Sunburn Treatment
- Topical antimicrobial agents, such as antimicrobial creams and ointments, solutions, and dressings, have been developed to prevent infection in burn wounds 3.
- New patents in the area of topically applied antibiotics and agents that can potentiate the action of existing antibiotics may extend their useful lifetime 4.
- However, there is limited evidence to support the use of these agents in the treatment of sunburn, and their effectiveness in preventing infection in sunburned skin is not well established 2.
Management of Acute Sunburn
- The management of acute sunburn is focused on relieving symptoms, such as pain, pruritus, and erythema, rather than treating the underlying damage to epidermal cells 2.
- Corticosteroids, NSAIDs, antioxidants, antihistamines, and emollients have been studied as potential treatments for sunburn, but their effectiveness is limited and often conflicting 2.
- The most effective approach to acute sunburn is symptomatic treatment, and patients should be advised to seek medical attention if their symptoms worsen or if they experience signs of infection 2.