Sun Blisters

Q:  I believe I am a victim of sun blisters. What can I do to alleviate them or prevent them? What kind of sun block works best to prevent them?

A:  Based on the information you gave me, you may either have skin that is ultra sensitive to Ultraviolet A light and that burns quite easily, or have polymorphous light eruption – a kind of light sensitivity most common in lighter skinned people living in northern climates during the spring. The former condition is merely limited to the skin, while the latter may have associated fever, chills, and be accompanied by an ill feeling.

It is best to prevent either by wearing sun-protective clothing (clothing with a tighter weave) and using a sunscreen product with an SPF of 15 or higher. Minimizing sun exposure during peak hours of 10 AM to 3 PM will also reduce the likelihood of this problem. I would suspect that you might be at a higher risk for skin cancer as well and would schedule annual visits to your dermatologist to look for suspicious lesions.

"Your Health" provides easy-to-understand information about common health conditions.