TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Sunburn and blisters

Have just returned from SXM over two weeks ago and after one week had blisters develop, the same for two other friends, one had to seek medical relief in SXM and the other was hospitalized back home for two weeks facing a long recovery. Not sure if was all sunburn or something in the water. Anyone else experience this
Thanks, Bink

There isn't much information to go on here, but I would think the medical professionals who treated your friends would have thoughts. What did they say it is? The principle of Occam's razor does come to mind though... blistering skin (and inflamed, hot, itchy, painful, swollen skin) happens with severe sunburns so this seems like an easy possibility. Did you get badly sunburned?

Did have sunburn, the blisters and swelling did not happen until after 1 week back home. Same thing that happened to a friend that was hospitalized for two weeks. Very bad blisters and skin damage, probably be having surgery for skin graft . Our others friends from Virginia went to SXM doc while there had blisters drained and lanced with medication salve needed Not sure what the cause is

Wow, that's awful, I hope you all recover well especially the person potentially needing a skin graft. If the cause was sunburn, it must have been extremely severe. I'm curious if you and your friends wore sunscreen? While I don't wear sunscreen often at home (in Connecticut) when I'm in a place like the Caribbean it's the first thing I do every morning and I reapply as needed through the day, wear hats, etc. I can't even imagine the burns I would get if I didn't.

Good luck recovering!

Were any of you on some medication that reacts to the sun?

No medication and highly used sunscreen

Wonder if it was an alergic reaction to the sunscreen.

Did you go hiking at all? There used to be a plant out on one of the islands in the lagoon that we were always told not to get off at (while jet skiing) because of the the poisonous plant. Now I don’t know if there was a truth to that or not! Maybe just to keep us from exploring more???

Yes. There is such a plant on island. Very toxic even if you breath the smoke if it is burning lert alone come in contact with it.

Oh, that's an interesting possibility. For example, the manchineel (also known as death apple) tree is dangerous and can cause blistering/burning of the skin. It is native to Caribbean islands, and the sap is very toxic. According to a quick google search, it can be found on SXM.

https://www.treehugger.com/why-manchineel-might-be-earths-most-dangerous-tree-4868796

Yes. That is the plant I was refering to.

I have found that if you are out in the sun from 11:30 to 12:30 in April, you will be sunburned if you are not under an umbrella.

That would be the manchioneel plant. The blistering is almost immediate, there is no delayed reaction.

The only two destinations was Orient beach and Loterie Farm
It could be possible
Thanks

Were you in any hot tubs? I've known people who have had similar symptoms from hot tubs. The water doesn't necessarily have to "look" bad. The rash/ blisters took more than 24 hours to develop and lasted awhile.

No hot tub
Thanks

Sun poisoning? Some sunscreens can cause a skin reaction (Told to us by a Dr on St. Martin one time years ago), & recommended a few to use. The one we were using at the time, she said, " That's poison!"

Maybe Shingles? I got Shingles in Roatan last March 2022 and a relapse in St. Maarten last December, open sores, redness, itchy and swelling. Just a thought.

Not to ask a stupid question, but what did the SXM doc tell your Virginia friends that it was?

Interesting. If the rash and blisters are only on one side it could be shingles.