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How To Get Rid Of Purple Color From Sunburn On Ankles And Feet?

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Posted on Fri, 3 Jan 2014
Question: i got sunburned four days ago while wearing leggings and a singlet top at the beach. my face and arms have started to heal and XXXXXXX but my ankels and feet are still a redish purplish colour. they did swell on day two but now the swelling and pain is gone but the purplish colour remains. im not sure what this is as I have never had this before and the rest of the sunburn on my arms and face is going away. do I need to see a doctor?
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Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (1 hour later)
Brief Answer: photo-sensitivity with Acute photo-toxic reactions Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome and thanks for posting your query to healthcare magic. I completely understand your concern for events occurred after sun exposure. After reading the compete problem with diligence it appears to be photo-sensitivity reactions with Acute photo-toxic reaction. To explain you simply- our skin is accustomed to the normal exposure of the sun light. But many a times due to acute exposure to sun there is sudden reactivity pattern of skin. The same you experienced in the event which occurred after sun exposure 4 days ago. You might be surprised to see such kind of sensitivity as it happened for the first time. This is basically due to certain sensitizers. These sensitizers can be certain drugs such as pain killers, antibiotics or other related drugs. It can be due to Perfumes and cosmetics, and even certain Sunscreens and fabric whiteners or related substances can induce such reactions. I suggest you to kindly check for any recent change where any of the offending factor could be present. As you have recently recovered form sinus infection so it might be due to the certain drugs which you have taken for the same. To get the area in better condition kindly follow the suggestions below: 1. Do not pinch, pop or squeeze any of the affected areas. I suggest you to even not to touch the area unnecessarily. 2. Do not apply any creamy or oily stuff with fragrance in it directly at or near the affected areas. 3. Try to avoid any home remedies suggested by your friends or family members or otherwise self implicated therapies also. 4. Try avoiding situations of heat, sweating and humidity for long hours. Do not take hot showers and avoid heavy exercise and gym for few days. 5. Take two times bath. Do simple cold water compresses for three to four times a day. 6. Wear lose cotton clothes and cotton undergarments and change them two times in day. 7. You can apply cream containing Fluticasone cream for two times per day. Apply it in a very thin layer so that it should not be visible to the naked eye. Do not apply beyond 14 days. 8. Additionally if there is burning is present then can apply calamine lotion for two times in a very thin layer. 9. For itching you can take tablet loratadine (claritin or lorfast) two times a day. 10. Try all sun-avoidance measures, which include use of dark clothing and a broad-spectrum sun barrier on all the exposed areas. 11. You may require high potency steroid cream initially but for that I need to see the exact grade of skin condition. The best of the part would be to send few good resolution pictures of the area so that it can be analyzed best. You have a feature to upload images by yourself at the right side of the query page, please utilize that so that I can answer your queries better. Or else, you can send as an attachment to YYYY@YYYY with the subject as "Attn: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia) Do not worry you will be alright soon. Hope these informations will help you. If you have any further query I will be glad to help. Regards. Dr Sanjay MD (Dermatology)
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 4165 Questions

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How To Get Rid Of Purple Color From Sunburn On Ankles And Feet?

Brief Answer: photo-sensitivity with Acute photo-toxic reactions Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome and thanks for posting your query to healthcare magic. I completely understand your concern for events occurred after sun exposure. After reading the compete problem with diligence it appears to be photo-sensitivity reactions with Acute photo-toxic reaction. To explain you simply- our skin is accustomed to the normal exposure of the sun light. But many a times due to acute exposure to sun there is sudden reactivity pattern of skin. The same you experienced in the event which occurred after sun exposure 4 days ago. You might be surprised to see such kind of sensitivity as it happened for the first time. This is basically due to certain sensitizers. These sensitizers can be certain drugs such as pain killers, antibiotics or other related drugs. It can be due to Perfumes and cosmetics, and even certain Sunscreens and fabric whiteners or related substances can induce such reactions. I suggest you to kindly check for any recent change where any of the offending factor could be present. As you have recently recovered form sinus infection so it might be due to the certain drugs which you have taken for the same. To get the area in better condition kindly follow the suggestions below: 1. Do not pinch, pop or squeeze any of the affected areas. I suggest you to even not to touch the area unnecessarily. 2. Do not apply any creamy or oily stuff with fragrance in it directly at or near the affected areas. 3. Try to avoid any home remedies suggested by your friends or family members or otherwise self implicated therapies also. 4. Try avoiding situations of heat, sweating and humidity for long hours. Do not take hot showers and avoid heavy exercise and gym for few days. 5. Take two times bath. Do simple cold water compresses for three to four times a day. 6. Wear lose cotton clothes and cotton undergarments and change them two times in day. 7. You can apply cream containing Fluticasone cream for two times per day. Apply it in a very thin layer so that it should not be visible to the naked eye. Do not apply beyond 14 days. 8. Additionally if there is burning is present then can apply calamine lotion for two times in a very thin layer. 9. For itching you can take tablet loratadine (claritin or lorfast) two times a day. 10. Try all sun-avoidance measures, which include use of dark clothing and a broad-spectrum sun barrier on all the exposed areas. 11. You may require high potency steroid cream initially but for that I need to see the exact grade of skin condition. The best of the part would be to send few good resolution pictures of the area so that it can be analyzed best. You have a feature to upload images by yourself at the right side of the query page, please utilize that so that I can answer your queries better. Or else, you can send as an attachment to YYYY@YYYY with the subject as "Attn: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia) Do not worry you will be alright soon. Hope these informations will help you. If you have any further query I will be glad to help. Regards. Dr Sanjay MD (Dermatology)