This Is What Sun Poisoning Looks Like—And Exactly What To Do If You Have It

Chronic sun poisoning is characterized by serious symptoms that are ongoing. It can be difficult to prevent and to treat some cases of chronic sun poisoning, making medical advice essential.

What’s to know about sun poisoning?

Sun poisoning is a skin reaction that occurs after exposure to sunlight. Understanding sun poisoning is important for knowing how to prevent it and how to treat it.

Sun poisoning is similar to sunburn, which makes it difficult to identify correctly in some cases.

Sometimes referred to as photodermatitis, sun poisoning is a relatively unknown and uncommon condition. However, it can have serious and long-term complications if not treated properly.

This article explores the causes and symptoms of sun poisoning, and how to treat and prevent it.

There are a number of different symptoms associated with sun poisoning. The most common and obvious symptom is a reaction on the skin.

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It may look and feel similar to an allergic reaction and is characterized by the following symptoms:

Itchiness, bumps, or blisters: The skin may become itchy, and bumps or blisters may appear on the affected area.
Pain and swelling: The affected area of skin may be painful, and can have the appearance of eczema lesions. The skin may be red or swollen, as well.
Darkening of the skin: In some cases, the skin affected may become darker. This is known as hyperpigmentation.

Another group of symptoms include:

These symptoms can be mistaken for the flu or similar viral conditions.

Sun poisoning may be linked to an increased risk of skin cancer.

There are acute and chronic variations of sun poisoning. Acute sun poisoning is when symptoms are relatively mild and temporary and pass with treatment.

Chronic sun poisoning is characterized by serious symptoms that are ongoing. It can be difficult to prevent and to treat some cases of chronic sun poisoning, making medical advice essential.

Sun poisoning and sunburn are very similar conditions. It is possible to mistake the more serious and long-lasting condition of sun poisoning for sunburn.

Sunburn

Sunburn can occur when skin has been exposed to direct sunlight for a long time.

The symptoms of sunburn include redness of the skin, which can be warm to the touch. The skin may also be itchy, and begin to peel after some time.

Sunburn usually fades after a while. In extreme cases, the sunburn can be accompanied by fever and nausea. Sunburn can affect anyone who is exposed to sunlight for too long.

Sun poisoning

The main difference between sun poisoning and sunburn is that the former is a type of allergic reaction. It occurs when the skin has been exposed to strong UV light for too long.

Whilst the symptoms of sunburn are usually present in cases of sun poisoning, they are usually more severe and last for longer.

Dressing

Applying clean, damp dressing to erupted blisters or open wounds can help them to heal. This also reduces the risk of infection.

Light therapy

In some situation, light therapy may be required. Sometimes known as phototherapy, this involves exposing the skin to certain wavelengths of light.

This controlled light can help to slow the growth of damaged skin cells. Light therapy may help to relieve pain and manage symptoms.

Drug therapy

In some cases, a treatment including drugs may be needed. This is uncommon and is usually only recommended for those who are highly sensitive to light.

Drug therapies for sun poisoning may be recommended if light therapy is not an option. Both short-term and long-term drug treatments are available.

Dietary changes

Sun poisoning can be treated with dietary changes.

The benefits of nutritional therapy for sun poisoning are not well studied. However, it is known that a diet with all the essential vitamins and minerals can help to reduce the risk of photosensitivity.

Prevention of sun poisoning

Share on Pinterest Using sun lotion regularly can help prevent sunburns and sun poisoning.

The ways of preventing sun poisoning are similar to those for preventing sunburn:

Reduce exposure: Avoiding prolonged exposure to intense sunlight is recommended. This could include, covering exposed skin with clothing, wearing a hat, or staying in the shade where possible.
Use sun lotion: Applying sun lotion to exposed skin is recommended. A higher factor sun cream will provide greater protection for the skin, and will be more effective at reducing the risk of sun poisoning.
Be aware of side effects of medication: Some types of medication may increase sensitivity to sunlight. It is important to be aware if any medication increases the risk of sun poisoning.
Avoid tanning beds: Use of tanning beds is not recommended, and most medical experts will advise avoiding them.

In most cases of sun poisoning, the condition will pass with time and self-care. However, in some instances, seeing a doctor is recommended.

If the affected area of skin is large or covers several parts of the body, it is recommended that medical advice is sought.

Even when the sun poisoning is mild, seeking a doctor’s opinion can ensure that it is treated properly. This can prevent complications, and ease symptoms faster.

How we reviewed this article:

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Lehmann, P., & Schwarz, T. (2011, March 4). Photodermatoses: Diagnosis and treatment. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 108(9), 135-141
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3063367/
Photodermatitis. (2015, March 24)
http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/photodermatitis
Phototherapy. (n.d.)
http://www.bad.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/clinical-services/service-guidance/phototherapy
Su, W., Hall, B. J., & Cockerell, C. J. (2006, December). Photodermatitis with minimal inflammatory infiltrate: Clinical inflammatory conditions with discordant histologic findings [Abstract]. American Journal of Dermatopathology, 28(6), 482-485
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17122492
Sunburn. (2017, April 28)
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Sunburn/Pages/Introduction.aspx

This Is What Sun Poisoning Looks Like—And Exactly What To Do If You Have It

By Jasmine Gomez Published: Feb 5, 2020

SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY // Getty Images

There are few things more addicting than a sunny day–the warmth, the beach, a chance to pull out that sundress. But if you’ve ever dealt with the irritation of a sunburn, then you know that too much of a good thing can be bad for you.

And overexposure to the sun can cause *way* more pain and injury than just a typical sunburn, says Erum Ilyas, MD and dermatologist at Montgomery Dermatology. “The skin plays a significant role in temperature regulation. When the body starts to overheat, the skin’s ability to regulate temperature diminishes.” Definitely not good. When this happens, you can be at risk of experiencing heat stroke or heat exhaustion, which come with symptoms like thirst, nausea, dizziness, headaches, dehydration, vomiting, confusion and rapid heart rate and breathing, says Dr. Ilyas.

Unfortunately, that’s not all you’re at risk for, either. If your sunburn is severe enough—we’re talking blisters, peeling, rash-like bumps—and is accompanied by other symptoms like a fever or chills, you may be suffering from what’s called sun poisoning.

While you can usually treat a sunburn at home, sun poisoning is more serious and could require a trip to the doctor for IV fluid replenishment and antibiotics for any open wounds caused by the severe sunburn. If you’re curious what separates your everyday sunburn from sun poisoning, let these experts explain.

What is sun poisoning and what are the symptoms?

So, sun poisoning isn’t a formal medical term, but it’s “a common way for patients to describe a scenario where they experience a severe sunburn through UV radiation followed by other symptoms,” says Dr. Ilyas.

Those additional symptoms (outside of the pain, hot skin, sensitivity, and irritation you’ll feel from the sunburn itself) are fever, nausea, lightheadedness, dizziness, or shortness of breath, says Marisa Garshick, MD and assistant clinical professor at Cornell.

What does sun poisoning look like?

Basically, it looks like a really bad sunburn. “Sun poisoning looks like redness, blistering, and peeling on the affected skin,” says Dr. Garshick. Here are some photo examples of what sun poisoning can look like. Of course, if you have these visual symptoms without the others like nausea and fever, you may just have a nasty sunburn.

Blistering

Peeling

Redness

Rash-like bumps

How do you get sun poisoning?

Sun poisoning can occur after you’ve spent a significant amount of time in the sun, though exactly how much varies since some people are more sensitive to the sun than others–like those with fairer skin who typically have less melanin to protect them from the sun’s UV rays.

Dr. Ilyas points out that there are certain medications that can also may also make you more sensitive to the sun (they’re referred to as “photosensitizing” medications). Some of these include certain oral contraceptives, some blood pressure medications, and many acne and anti-aging topicals (think: retinol), says Dr. Ilyas. It’s best to check in with your doctor to determine if your medication falls into that category so you can be extra careful in the sun.

Stock Up on Sun Protection

Pregnancy is another factor that may determine how sensitive you are to the sun. “Hormonal changes during pregnancy have been noted to lead to increased sensitivity to the sun,” says Dr. Ilyas. “This could result in both a higher chance of a sunburn and/or pigment changes.” It’s best to take extra precautions when you’re pregnant since sun poisoning can also impact the baby’s core body temperature.

It’s important to note that sun poisoning can occur even if you don’t feel hot, says Dr. Ilyas. “It is not uncommon for skiers in subzero temperatures to experience a sunburn, as the UV is intense and magnified by fresh snow in spite of cold temperatures,” she says.

What does sun poisoning treatment involve?

To treat sun poisoning, Dr. Garshick recommends avoiding the sun, drinking lots of fluids and applying cool compresses. You can also take aspirin or ibuprofen to alleviate pain and help reduce inflammation.

Sun poisoning can occur even if you don’t feel hot.

Dr. Garshick also says that an IV or antibiotics may be necessary in certain cases: “Depending on the degree of the condition, intravenous fluids may be needed to help with fluid loss or dehydration, electrolytes to help with electrolyte imbalance or antibiotics depending on if there are any open areas of the skin that could get infected.”

Dr. Ilyas stresses heading to the doctor if you’re experiencing fever, chills, nausea, or malaise. “It is important to understand that our body’s response to a burn is not limited to the skin and can impact other organs,” she says. When in doubt, get it checked out.

How can you avoid getting sun poisoning?

To lower your risk of getting sun poisoning, Dr. Garshick suggests wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen, UVA and UVB, with SPF 30 or higher, and applying it every two hours. Dr. Ilyas recommends that your sunblocks also include agents like zinc and titanium, since both ingredients act as physically blockers and, therefore, protect you immediately (as opposed to chemical blockers, which take a little bit of time to absorb in the skin and start working).

It’s also important to remember to wear sunblock even when the temperature isn’t scorching outside. Again, most people aren’t thinking about sunscreen when the temperature is a little cooler, says Dr. Ilyas.

Another step you can take to prevent sun poisoning is wearing sun-protective clothing. “The largest surface area of our body is covered by clothing, and choosing the right clothing is key. Much like with sunglasses, clothing that is not labeled as sun protective may be giving you a false sense of security,” says Dr. Ilyas.

Look for clothes that are specifically made for sun protection and say so on the tag. As for hats, she suggests making sure they’re labeled UV-protective and ideally have a three-inch brim all the way around.

Following these simple steps is the key to protecting your skin from sunburn and sun poisoning. Once you have these precautions in place, you can enjoy being outside and soaking up the light.

Associate Commerce Editor

Jasmine Gomez is the Associate Commerce Editor at Women’s Health and covers health, fitness, sex, culture and cool products. She enjoys karaoke and dining out more than she cares to admit.

This Is What Sun Poisoning Looks Like—And Exactly What To Do If You Have It