arm swollen, blistered from a sunburn.

[Limpit]

hi, I just got back from myrtle beach on friday night. Thursday afternoon I went swimming with my brother and 2 sisters.  I put spf 70 sunscreen lotion on because I always get burned but I forgot to reapply, we were only swimming for 2 hours though.  I went the entire week without getting burned. Friday we got up around 4:30am to take the tents down and leave. 6:30am went to take one last look at the ocean, but by then I was shaking and extremely cold. I couldn't stop shaking. I ended up throwing up. Then I slept for the next 4 hrs on the drive home. yesterday I noticed my sunburn on my arm was blistered up. It hurts really bad when I try to move it a lot, especially when I am changing my t-shirt or doing something else. Yesterday was the first time I noticed my arm was getting swollen. I also noticed some yellow stuff on my shirt where my sunburn was? I have been putting aloe on my sunburn, and also taking ibuprofen for the pain. But I've never been burned this bad, and I am not sure what I should do?

[Limpit]

how long does it usually take to heal?

[Dr J Singh]

Hello,
Sunburn results when the amount of exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light source exceeds the ability of the body's protective pigment, melanin, to protect the skin.

Apply cool compresses on the area and take bath with cool(not very cold) water. Do not scrub your skin or shave your skin and use a soft towel and gently pat your skin dry.Also use a sunburn Over-The-Counter remedy containing aloe vera and a light moisturizer or a dusting powder to relieve chafing.You can apply silver sulfadiazine (1% cream) on the skin except face and see if it helps.If the symptoms still persist then you should consult a dermatologist and discuss the option of dermabrasion or laser resurfacing.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted if you have any additional doubts.