Everything About Sun Poisoning

Sun poisoning doesn’t really mean you’ve been poisoned. It is a term used to describe a severe case of sunburn. Sun poison is a burn usually from ultraviolet radiation that inflames your skin.

What causes sunburn?

Spending too much time out in the sun can lead to various health issues – from mild dehydration to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, or worse. Severe sunburn can result in an ultra-painful, red, blistery experience and even flu-like symptoms.

Symptoms of Sun Poisoning

You can be sunburned within 15 minutes of exposure to the sun. The symptoms of sunburn may not be visible right away. The chances of sunburn are more if you’ve lighter or fairer skin.

Some of the symptoms of severe sunburn or sun poisoning are:

Headache
Dizziness
Nausea
Dehydration
Skin redness and blistering
Swelling
Electrolyte imbalance
Pain and tingling
Headache
Fever and chills
Nausea
Dizziness
Dehydration

Tips to treat Sun poison

For severe sunburn, you can follow these tricks to treat sunburn:

Don’t go out in the sun.
Take a bath with cold water cool
Drink extra fluids for a few days.
Take painkiller such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to get relief from pain
Use an aloe gel or a moisturizer.
Cover sunburned areas properly when going outside.

You need to seek medical attention immediately for some of these symptoms:

Facial swelling
Headache, faintness, or confusion
Signs of dehydration
Fever or chills
Blisters on skin
Fever and chills
Upset stomach

Tips to prevent Sun poison

Follow the basics of sun safety:

Wear a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and broad-spectrum coverage to protect against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Wear it all over your body about 15 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun. Reapply at least every 2 hours if you stay outside for a long time.
Limit your sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Remember sand, water, and snow can intensify the sun’s damaging rays.
Wear sunglasses, a hat, and protective clothing.

Medical Treatment for Sunburn

The medical treatment for sunburn is similar to home remedies. The treatment helps reducing inflammation and pain.

In the case of mild sunburn, the doctor may suggest aspirin, plenty of fluids, or other NSAID medications. Your doctor may also recommend some additional topical measures such as Burow’s solution soaks, cool compresses, and antiseptic lotions. Remember, you can always use free Rx discount card to buy your NSAID medications at discounted prices.
In the case of severe sunburn, your doctor may prescribe oral steroid therapy (cortisone-like medications) for several days. In case of severe pain, your healthcare provider may prescribe stronger pain-relieving medication.
In the case of blistering, steroids may be withheld to avoid an increased risk of infection.
In case of dehydration or excessive heat stress, doctors will give IV fluids and you’ll be admitted to the hospital. In extremely severe case, you may be transferred to a hospital burn unit.