ARGH - Bumps after sunburn?

[Liberty Belle]

A few days ago I got a sunburn when swimming. It wasn't a bad sunburn - It didn't even really bother me. A couple of days later I started getting itchy bumps everywhere I was burned. Now, it's a few days later and it's worse. It's very itchy, raised and it stops at the lines where my bathing suit was. It's just on my shoulders, chest and back. Oh, and a little bit on one upper arm.

Anyone know what it is and how to treat it? I haven't called the doctor because I thought it would go away. At first I thought maybe I was allergic to the sunscreen I used, but it's not everywhere I put the sunscreen and it happened days after I put it on. I do have a doctor's appointment for an unrelated matter on the 3rd, so if it's not gone by then, I'll talk to her about it.

 

[almburr]

Are they blisters? I had that at the begining of summer when I burned. It could be your getting ready to peel.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Are they blisters? I had that at the begining of summer when I burned. It could be your getting ready to peel.

No, not blisters. It's clusters of small itchy bumps. The area is raised and reddish.

 

[kellig]

The bumps sound kind of like sun poisoning, but they usually don't wait that long to show up. I would probably check with the doctor. Good luck and keep us updated on how things are going!

 

[dreamer17555]

It might be hives from sun poisioning. I had that happen. I suggest benadryl.

-Becca-

 

[PlainJane]

You might want to make an appointment with a dermatologist. For me at least, the GP has always misdiagnosed any skin problem I have had.

I've never had what you are describing, and I've had quite a few sunburns, and had sun poisoning once.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I get the bumps with every sunburn. The doctor said it's an allergic reaction to the sun. Sort of like people who get sunspots.

Are you putting anything on the sunburn? If the sunburn is really bad, I suggest alternating your sunburn cure with some benadryl cream left in the refrigerator. I would alternate 3x a day depending on how bad it itched.

 

[HelenePA]

I had them when I burned this year.. a few days later I started to peel. Now I have patches of "tan" all over me.. I look cool

 

[bookgirl]

I get the bumps with every sunburn. The doctor said it's an allergic reaction to the sun. Sort of like people who get sunspots.

Are you putting anything on the sunburn? If the sunburn is really bad, I suggest alternating your sunburn cure with some benadryl cream left in the refrigerator. I would alternate 3x a day depending on how bad it itched.

Yep second the allergy. I have an allergy to the sun (or actually the ultraviolets) I can burn with 50 sunblock in just an hour. If I get too bad of a sunburn I get actuall hives in the sun burn that itch violently. Any other kind of burn I get the bumps. In fact I am getting over a case of them now. Darn water park..... I try to keep the burn really well moisturized, and try not to itch them raw. Topicals can help but it's really just a matter of time and letting the skin heal and shed the poisons.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Thank you all.

I looked some things up on the internet and it does seem like it's an allergic reaction to the sun. I remember doing it a few times (but not this severe) before , but I just assumed I was allergic to the sunscreen then, too (I've got quite a few allergies). Bummer.

It seems to be a little better today. I was only wearing SPF 30, so I guess I'll go higher next time and see if that helps. I don't want to give up swimming.

 

[bookgirl]

Thank you all.

I looked some things up on the internet and it does seem like it's an allergic reaction to the sun. I remember doing it a few times (but not this severe) before , but I just assumed I was allergic to the sunscreen then, too (I've got quite a few allergies). Bummer.

It seems to be a little better today. I was only wearing SPF 30, so I guess I'll go higher next time and see if that helps. I don't want to give up swimming.

Besides going higher, shell out the big bucks for waterproof like bullfrog or the other one...I can't think of the name but lifeguards use it. If you wipe with a towel you have to reapply but water magnifies the sun and those waterproof ones will stay on while you're in the water. Then you can reapply after with a 50 "sport" one.