How Treat Sunburn Blisters on Feet

Summertime has arrived, and with that comes many days spent outdoors. Whether at the shore, in your backyard, or walking with open-toed shoes, you can be exposing your feet to harmful rays. If burned severely, this can result in sensitive blisters on your feet. 

Fortunately, sunburn blisters can be prevented and treated. Here are some ways that you can do this on your own. 

Prevent Sunburn on Your Feet with Sunscreen 

Feet are a commonly overlooked body part when applying sunscreen. We all know to cover our faces, upper bodies, and legs when we’re outdoors. However, our feet are often covered by shoes or sandals and we may forget to protect them, too! 

Be sure to apply sunscreen to the tops of your feet when you are covering the rest of your body. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that you apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30, which will protect against over 90 percent of harmful sunrays. 

Wear Closed-Toed Shoes as Much as Possible 

Covering your skin will prove the most effective way to prevent sun damage. Though we all love a great pair of sandals or flip-flops in warm weather, wear closed-toed shoes as much as you are able to. This will prevent the sun rays from ever making contact with your skin.

Too hot for sneakers and socks? Consider a pair of shoes designed for wearing with bare feet. For example, leather boat shoes are a popular choice in the summertime for those who prefer to go sock-free. 

Treatments for Sunburn Blisters on Your Feet

Should you develop sunburn blisters on your feet, don’t panic. There are a number of treatments you can perform at home to help your foot heal, such as: 

Staying Hydrated 

When you experience sunburn blisters, your body will draw fluids to the affected area and away from other areas. Drinking water will help your entire body stay hydrated and support the healing process. 

Avoid Popping Blisters

Blisters are the body’s natural way of protecting and healing a sunburned area. If you pop the blister, you can expose raw and injured skin to bacteria and increase your chances of infection. 

Sometimes, however, blisters will break on their own. This applies especially to parts of the body that experience a great deal of physical activity like your feet. If this happens, be sure to cover the sunburned part of your foot with antibiotic ointment and an adhesive bandage. 

Topical Treatments 

Apply a light moisturizer to your skin after bathing or showering. If the sunburn has resulted in blisters, avoid applying too much pressure to these parts of your feet as you moisturize them. 

If your sunburn proves too severe for simple lotions, consult with your doctor about a more effective solution. They might recommend an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or prescribe you a medicated ointment to provide extra support. 

Common Pain Medication 

If you find that your sunburn blisters are still too painful, the AAD advises a pain medication like aspirin or ibuprofen. This will aid in managing inflammation and pain levels as you recover. 

Cool Down 

If you need to relieve the pain from the sunburn blisters, you can bathe your foot in cold water or gently apply a cool compress. This will help relieve pain and any tenderness from inflammation or swelling at the site. 

Nothing Seems to Work for Sunburn Blisters? Contact Your Podiatrist 

If you have tried any of the above methods for treating sunburn on your feet, but nothing seems to work, you should contact your local podiatrist. This could indicate a possible infection or the need for stronger solutions. 

Are you local to Maryland’s Eastern Shore? If so, we are here to help with any foot care needs, sunburn blisters and beyond. Contact us anytime to make an appointment.