What to Know About Sun Poisoning
People often mistake sun poisoning for a bad sunburn. Itâs much more dangerous than that because it knocks electrolytes out of balance and often leads to dehydration. Sun poisoning is preventable when caution is exercised and you avoid the sun during the peak hours of 10 am - 4 pm. Once sun poisoning has set in, the goal is to cool the body down again with cold water and cool compresses. You may want to seek medical attention if blisters start to form because itâs important to make sure infection doesnât set in.
What is Sun Poisoning and Why is it Dangerous?
As people soak up the summer sun, it may feel good in the moment, but itâs important to understand the dangers of sun poisoning. Sometimes, people mistake it for a bad sunburn.
However, sun poisoning is so much more than that. Itâs an extreme reaction to prolonged sun exposure which can produce systemic effects. Read on to closely examine what is sun poisoning, sun poisoning symptoms, and why it shouldnât be taken lightly.
Sun Poisoning Causes
Sun poisoning is more than just a sunburn. It occurs due to overexposure of UV radiation. Sun poisoning is far more likely to occur when someone spends too much time in the sun during the peak hours of 10 am to 4 pm.
These dangers can be mitigated with adequate protection such as a hat, sunscreen, and protective clothing. Certain medications can also increase the likelihood of sunburns and sun poisoning, including certain antibiotics, diuretics, and acne treatments.
Sun Poisoning Symptoms
Symptoms may initially manifest as a severe sunburn, including blistering and peeling. But sun poisoning is often accompanied by swelling, itching, and a heightened burning sensation. These symptoms make it difficult to determine the difference between heat rash vs. sun poisoning. But, the symptoms of a heat rash tend to fizzle out with skin irritation.
Meanwhile, severe cases of sun poisoning may result in a headache, fever, fatigue, and nausea. These symptoms tend to manifest because dehydration has set in and thereâs usually an electrolyte imbalance at this point.
No matter what type of activities you have planned this season, be sure to stay up to date with the latest weather news to ensure your safety all summer long.
Sun Poisoning Dangers
All this probably still sounds like a bad sunburn. Many people might think all you have to do is wait it out. But, there are additional dangers that accompany sun poisoning.
Dehydration
Dehydration and heat exhaustion are the two most common factors that come into play. A severe sunburn often leads to dehydration, especially if itâs accompanied by a high fever or nausea. Dehydration tends to disrupt normal bodily functions and almost always leads to an electrolyte imbalance.
Infection
The answer to what does sun poisoning look like is that itâs not pretty because blisters can accompany sun poisoning. As the blisters break, leaving open sores, they can lead to bacterial infections. This prolongs the skinâs healing process and further taxes the system.
Systemic Effects
As the body overheats from sun poisoning, it may lead to systemic damage, such as a headache, fever, chills, or nausea. If someone is struggling with these effects, they may want to seek medical attention to regulate the system again.
Long-Term Skin Damage and Cancer
All sunburns, but especially sun poisoning, can accelerate the skinâs aging process. The results include wrinkles, age spots, and chronically dry skin.
Worse, however, is the increased risk of skin cancer. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation often damages the DNA in skin cells, increasing the risk of skin cancer. The deadliest form of skin cancer is melanoma, something that should be vigilantly guarded against.
Sun Poisoning Prevention
The best ways to prevent sun poisoning are the same for preventing sunburn and dehydration. First, itâs wise to avoid spending prolonged periods of time in the sun between 10 am and 4 pm.
Always apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, no matter the length of time you expect to spend in the sun. Reapply every two hours, and immediately after swimming or sweating. In addition, wear sunglasses and protective clothing, including UV shirts and a hat.
Sit in the shade as much as possible, whether youâre at the beach, a park, or sitting in your garden. Itâs also helpful to wear breathable cotton clothes to allow the skin to breathe and release some of the heat the body is absorbing.
Sun Poisoning Treatment
With sun poisoning, itâs difficult to reverse the damage and it often takes some time. For immediate relief, try to cool the skin with a cold compress or cool bath.
Applying aloe vera may also bring some relief. Itâs important not to apply thick body lotion at this juncture, however, because that, too, may trap heat in the body.
Because of how dehydrated the skin and body is during this time, itâs important to drink extra fluids. Water is best, but you could also add electrolytes with sports drinks.
Over-the-counter pain relievers may provide temporary relief, especially when youâre trying to fall asleep. They may also help reduce some of the swelling the skin is bound to be experiencing.
If the blisters look particularly disconcerting, it may be wise to seek medical attention for prescription-strength ointments and guidance on how to prevent infection from setting in as the blisters progress.
Do Your Best to Prevent Sun Poisoning
Sun poisoning is a terribly uncomfortable condition. Beyond the difficulty youâll have sitting, sleeping, and getting dressed, itâs also quite dangerous because it knocks electrolytes out of balance, increases dehydration, may lead to infection, and can contribute to premature skin aging or even skin cancer.
For more weather updates, including when it's best to avoid the sun this summer, keep coming back for the latest information. Weâll help you stay protected throughout this summer season and beyond.
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