A second-degree sunburn is a more serious sunburn that damages the outer skin layer and part of the layer beneath it. It usually causes intense redness or color change, pain, swelling, and blisters. It should not be treated like a minor burn you simply “sleep off.”
Get out of the sun immediately, cool the skin gently, leave blisters intact, drink fluids if you can, and seek medical advice for large or painful blisters, burns on sensitive areas, or symptoms such as fever, vomiting, dizziness, or confusion.
Key Takeaways
- Blistering skin after sun exposure is commonly treated as a second-degree sunburn.
- Symptoms include severe pain, redness or color change, swelling, warmth, and fluid-filled blisters.
- Do not pop blisters. They help protect the skin underneath while it heals.
- Cool the skin, hydrate, use gentle protection from friction, and avoid further UV exposure.
- See a clinician for large blisters, burns on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or major joints, or any worsening symptoms.
- Seek urgent help for confusion, fainting, repeated vomiting, dehydration, breathing problems, or high fever with vomiting.
What is a second-degree sunburn?
Second-degree burns affect the outer layer of skin and part of the layer below. In a sunburn, the clearest sign is blistering. The skin may look very red, deepened in color, wet, or shiny, and it can be painful even with light clothing touching it.
Sunburn is an acute inflammatory reaction caused by UV exposure, and severe cases can progress beyond mild redness to blistering. [Guerra and Crane, StatPearls, 2026]
A second-degree sunburn can develop gradually. You may notice pain and redness first, then swelling or blisters later that day or the next day. Avoid more sun as soon as symptoms appear rather than waiting to see how far they progress.
First-degree, second-degree, or deeper burn?
Burn depth can be hard to judge at home, particularly because symptoms may keep developing for a day or two. These descriptions are useful for understanding the terms, not for replacing an in-person assessment.
- First-degree (superficial) sunburn: red or discolored, painful, warm, and mildly swollen, but without blisters.
- Second-degree (partial-thickness) sunburn: blistering, greater swelling, very tender or wet-looking skin, and more intense pain.
- Possible deeper burn: skin that looks white, gray, brown, black, waxy, leathery, or numb; this needs emergency assessment.
Burn depth is not the only issue. Location, size, age, other medical conditions, and symptoms such as dehydration also change the level of care needed.
Second-degree sunburn symptoms
- Severe redness or a pronounced change in skin color
- Skin that feels hot, tight, swollen, or very tender
- Fluid-filled blisters
- Wet-looking or peeling skin
- Headache, fatigue, nausea, fever, or chills with a more severe reaction
Whole-body symptoms can also signal dehydration or heat illness. Take them seriously, particularly after a long time outdoors in hot conditions.
What to do for a second-degree sunburn
First 24 hours: a simple plan
- Get out of the sun and remove tight jewelry or clothing near swelling if it comes off easily.
- Cool the skin gently with a cool shower, bath, or damp cloth.
- Drink fluids if you are alert and can keep them down.
- Leave blisters intact and protect them from rubbing.
- Check the area regularly for spreading redness, drainage, or worsening pain.
1. Get out of the sun
Go indoors or into deep shade. Keep the burned area out of direct UV exposure while it heals. Loose, soft clothing may protect the skin from friction if you need to be outside.
2. Cool the skin carefully
Use a cool shower, cool bath, or clean damp cloth. Do not put ice directly on burned skin, scrub it, or use harsh exfoliants.
3. Leave blisters intact
Do not pop, drain, or peel blisters at home. The skin over a blister acts as a protective cover. If a blister breaks on its own, gently clean the area with mild soap and water, leave any attached skin in place, and cover it with a sterile nonstick dressing if it needs protection.
Decisions about burn-blister care depend on wound severity, infection risk, healing, and comfort, so large or complex blisters are best assessed by a clinician. [Sargent, Journal of Burn Care & Research, 2006]
4. Hydrate and manage pain safely
Drink fluids if you are alert and can keep them down. An over-the-counter pain reliever may help some adults when used as directed on the label. Ask a pharmacist or clinician first if you are pregnant, treating a child, take other medicines, or have a health condition.
5. Keep the routine simple
Avoid butter, toothpaste, alcohol-based products, harsh fragrance, and topical treatments that sting. Do not use topical antibiotics unless a clinician recommends one, as they can irritate some people.
Everyday care while the burn heals
Bathing and dressing
Use cool or lukewarm water and avoid scrubbing. Pat the skin dry. A loose, sterile nonstick dressing can reduce pain and friction where clothing or bedding rubs. Change it if it becomes wet or dirty. Avoid fluffy cotton directly on open skin because fibers can stick.
Clothing, sleep, and activity
Choose loose, soft, breathable clothing and avoid straps, waistbands, sports equipment, or tight shoes that press on blisters. Keep bedding smooth and clean. Skip activities that cause heavy sweating or repeated rubbing until the skin is less tender.
Skin changes during recovery
Blisters may shrink, flatten, or peel as the skin heals. Do not pull away loose edges. Some temporary color change can remain after the pain has faded, especially after a stronger burn. Keep the area protected from sun while it settles.
When to see a doctor
Contact a healthcare professional promptly if you have large, widespread, or severely painful blisters; blisters on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or over a major joint; eye pain or vision changes; fever; chills; nausea; or signs of infection such as pus, spreading redness, or increased swelling.
Seek urgent medical care now for:
- Confusion, fainting, seizures, or trouble staying awake
- Repeated vomiting or inability to drink fluids
- Shortness of breath, rapid breathing, or chest pain
- Very little urine, severe dizziness, or other signs of dehydration
- A fever of 103°F (39.4°C) or higher with vomiting or other heat-illness symptoms
How long does a second-degree sunburn take to heal?
Healing time varies with the size and depth of the burn and whether the blisters stay intact. A blistering burn can take longer than a mild sunburn and may peel as the skin repairs itself.
Look for steady improvement. Seek advice if the pain, redness, swelling, or drainage gets worse rather than better.
When can you use normal skincare, exercise, or self-tanner again?
Wait until blisters have healed, open areas have closed, and the skin is no longer painful, peeling, or raw before returning to exfoliation, retinoids, fragrance, hair removal, self-tanner, or intense exercise. Using active skincare or a self-tanner too early can irritate the area and lead to uneven results.
Do not return to intentional UV exposure while the skin is healing. A blistering burn is not a foundation for a safer tan—it is a sign to reduce future exposure.
How to prevent another blistering sunburn
Use broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin, apply enough to cover evenly, and reapply at least every two hours or after swimming, sweating, or towel drying. Add shade, clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
Do not assume a cloudy day prevents burning. Read can you tan when it is cloudy? to understand why. The UV index guide can help you plan better protection for strong conditions.
For more on applying SPF effectively, see can you tan with sunscreen?. If you want protection that also limits visible tanning, see our guide to sunblock options to prevent tanning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all sunburn blisters mean second-degree burn?
Blistering is commonly treated as a sign of a second-degree sunburn. A clinician can assess the severity if the area is large, painful, in a sensitive location, or you feel unwell.
Should you cover a second-degree sunburn?
Loose clothing can reduce friction. If a blister is likely to rub, a sterile nonstick dressing can protect it. Avoid tight clothing and adhesives directly on the blister.
Can I shower with a second-degree sunburn?
Yes, use cool or lukewarm water and avoid scrubbing. Pat the skin dry rather than rubbing it. If blisters have opened, clean gently and protect the area afterward.
Can a second-degree sunburn make you sick?
Yes. Severe sunburn can occur alongside dehydration or heat illness and may involve headache, nausea, fever, chills, dizziness, or fatigue. Seek urgent medical help for confusion, fainting, repeated vomiting, inability to drink, breathing trouble, or serious dehydration.
Will a second-degree sunburn scar?
Some blistering sunburns heal without a noticeable scar, but deeper injury, infection, picking, and repeated sun exposure can increase the chance of lasting marks or pigment changes. Let the skin heal and protect it from sun afterward.
Should I use a bandage on a sunburn blister?
A loose sterile nonstick dressing can help if a blister is rubbing against clothing or bedding. Do not wrap it tightly, use adhesive directly on the blister, or use a dressing that sheds fibers into an open area. If the burn is large, on a sensitive area, or hard to dress, seek clinical advice.
Final Thoughts
A second-degree sunburn is a genuine injury, not just a cosmetic inconvenience. Stop UV exposure, cool and protect the skin, do not pop blisters, and get medical advice when the burn is large, in a sensitive area, infected-looking, or accompanied by whole-body symptoms.
References
Sunburn clinical overview:
Guerra KC, Crane JS, 2026, StatPearls, “Sunburn”
Clinical overview of UV-related sunburn, including symptoms, severity, and general assessment.
Burn blister management:
Sargent RL, 2006, Journal of Burn Care & Research, “Management of Blisters in the Partial-Thickness Burn: An Integrative Research Review”
Review of clinical considerations for managing partial-thickness burn blisters.