After Attending an Outdoor Festival, a Fist-Sized Blister on My Thigh... Is Sunlight the Cause?

Do Not Rub Skin; Use Cold Water and Ice Packs
Be Careful Not Only in Summer but Also at Winter Ski Resorts

An Australian woman suffered a terrible ordeal after getting sunburned and developing a fist-sized blister on her thigh. On the 9th, the New York Post reported that Cass Flynn Troy (22), who lives in Australia, got sunburned after attending an outdoor festival. Cass enjoyed the festival by watching performances and sitting outside in humid weather (around 22 degrees Celsius in Australia). During the long hours of outdoor activities, she applied sunscreen multiple times.

An Australian woman suffered a terrible sunburn that caused fist-sized blisters on her thigh. On the 9th, the New York Post reported that Cass Flintroy (22), who lives in Australia, got sunburned after attending an outdoor festival.
[Photo source=Pixabay]

Despite her efforts to prevent it, she eventually experienced leg pain caused by the burn. When the pain persisted, Cass rolled up her pants to check her leg and discovered a large blister. Shocked, she quickly went to a medical booth to receive painkillers and poured cold water on her leg. By the time she returned home, the blister had burst, and her leg looked like chicken skin being cooked in an oven.

Cass said, "The blister was huge and really ugly," adding, "It was like an alien was on my leg." She went back to the hospital for treatment and is currently recovering. Since the burn, Cass always carries four types of sunscreen and pays close attention to whether her legs are well covered from the sun.

Cass said, "The blister was incredibly large and very ugly," adding, "It felt like an alien was on my leg." He reportedly visited the hospital again for treatment and is currently recovering.
[Photo by New York Post]

She stated, "This might not have happened, but people don't think their legs can get sunburned," and added, "Even when it rains, you should be careful and check for UV rays."

Sunburn caused by UV exposure... Be cautious even in winter

Sunburn is an inflammatory reaction of the skin caused by sunlight. It commonly occurs when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays during prolonged outdoor activities during peak sunlight hours. Sunburn appears 4 to 6 hours after sun exposure and is known to worsen 12 to 24 hours later. At this time, the sun-exposed area becomes red and exhibits symptoms such as heat sensation, pain, swelling, and nausea. In severe cases, like the woman in this story, blisters form and the epidermis may peel off. Mild sunburn symptoms usually improve within about a week. If the affected area is large, pain and symptoms can persist for several weeks.

To avoid sunburn, it is best to refrain from outdoor activities during peak UV hours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Apply sunscreen before going out and reapply it regularly during activities. This applies not only in summer but also in winter. Strong UV exposure can occur at ski resorts and sledding areas covered with white snow, similar to midsummer.

In particular, while the sunlight reflectance of grass or sandy beaches is about 20%, the reflectance of white snow reaches approximately 80%. Care should be taken to prevent the face and cornea from getting sunburned by reflected sunlight. Prolonged UV exposure to the eyes can accumulate corneal damage and cause burns. In severe cases, the cornea may completely lose its normal function, leading to permanent vision loss. Even in winter, sunscreen is essential, and wearing sunglasses or goggles helps prevent sunburn.

If you get sunburned, avoid rubbing or scratching the skin as it can worsen symptoms. Pouring cold water on the burned area or applying ice packs is recommended. It is better to rinse with water only rather than using shampoo or soap to minimize irritation. If blisters form or the skin peels, you should see a dermatologist for treatment. Leaving it untreated increases the risk of secondary infections caused by bacteria.

For corneal burns, apply a cold wet towel to the eyelids to soothe them. If symptoms such as glare, redness, or pain occur, corneal burns should be suspected. If corneal burns are suspected, it is important to seek ophthalmologic care as soon as possible.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.