A really bad sunburn is not just red and painful skin. Sun poisoning is the term for a reaction to too much ultraviolet light from the sun. It is not actually poisoning. It can be very serious.
Sun poisoning is a sunburn that can cause problems all over your body. You might get red skin, severe pain, swelling, blisters, fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, or dehydration. If these symptoms are very bad or getting worse,e you should see a doctor.
What Is Sun Poisoning
“Sun poisoning” is not a formal medical diagnosis, Harvard Health Publishing explains. The term is commonly used to describe a severe sunburn, particularly when whole-body symptoms accompany the skin reaction. It can happen after prolonged or unprotected exposure to UV radiation from the sun or tanning devices.
A typical sunburn may cause redness, warmth, tenderness, and pain. A more severe burn can cause extensive blistering, swelling, significant pain, and symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, or chills. Severe blistering can also contribute to fluid loss and dehydration.
The term can sometimes also be used for certain reactions to sunlight, such as polymorphic light eruption or solar urticaria. These conditions are different from a severe sunburn and may require different treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of Sun Poisoning
Sun poisoning symptoms can range from severe skin irritation to symptoms that make you feel generally sick.
Skin Symptoms
Common skin symptoms of a severe sunburn may include:
- Severe redness
- Significant skin pain or tenderness
- Swelling
- Skin that feels hot
- Sunburn blisters
- Peeling or damaged skin
- A widespread or severe-looking rash
Blisters are particularly important because they can indicate a deeper burn and can increase the risk of fluid loss and infection if the skin becomes open.
Whole-Body Symptoms
Severe sunburn may also be accompanied by:
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Weakness or fatigue
- Fever or chills
- Feeling generally sick
- Signs of dehydration
A sunburn accompanied by significant blistering or systemic symptoms deserves more attention than an uncomplicated mild sunburn.
These symptoms can overlap with those of other conditions, including heat-related illness, so that the severity may be underestimated.
Sun Poisoning vs. Regular Sunburn: What’s the Difference
Sunburn symptoms can become worse during the first day after exposure. According to Healthline, mild burns often improve over several days, while more severe burns can take longer to heal.
What Does a Sun Poisoning Rash Look Like
A sun poisoning rash may appear as intensely red, irritated, swollen, or painful skin after significant sun exposure. Severe sunburn can also cause blisters and peeling.
However, not every rash after sun exposure is sun poisoning. Some people develop sunlight-related conditions, such as polymorphic light eruption, which can cause itchy red bumps or patches and sometimes small blisters. Solar urticaria can cause raised, itchy, or burning hives shortly after exposure to sunlight.
Can Sun Poisoning Cause Dehydration
Yes. Dehydration from sunburn can occur, particularly when a severe burn affects a large area of skin. Fluid loss may also be increased by hot weather, heavy sweating, vomiting, or difficulty drinking enough fluids.
Watch for possible dehydration symptoms such as:
- Dizziness or weakness
- Very dry mouth
- Reduced urination
- Dark-colored urine
- Extrem thirst
- Difficulty keeping fluids down
If you are unable to maintain oral hydration or have significant dehydration symptoms, medical evaluation may be needed.
How Long Does Sun Poisoning Last
There is no single recovery time for sun poisoning. It depends on how severe the burn is, how much skin is affected, and whether complications such as dehydration or infection develop.
Mild sunburn generally improves within several days. More severe sunburn with significant blistering can take considerably longer to heal, and peeling may continue even after the initial pain and redness have improved.
If severe pain, blistering, fever, vomiting, dizziness, or other systemic symptoms persist or worsen, don’t simply wait for the burn to resolve on its own. Consider a medical evaluation.
How Is Sun Poisoning Treated
Treatment depends on the severity of the burn and the symptoms you are experiencing.
What You Can Do at Home for a Mild Sunburn
For a mild sunburn without concerning symptoms:
- Get out of direct sunlight and stay out of the sun while the skin heals.
- Take a cool, not-very-cold shower or bath.
- Apply cool, wet compresses to the affected skin.
- Use a gentle moisturizer or an aloe-based product.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Consider an appropriate over-the-counter pain reliever if it is safe for you to take.
- Avoid additional UV exposure until your skin has recovered.
Cool compresses, moisturizers or aloe, fluids, and appropriate pain medication can help relieve uncomplicated sunburn symptoms.
What Not to Do After a Severe Sunburn
If you have a severe sunburn:
- Do not intentionally pop or break blisters.
- Do not peel damaged skin.
- Do not expose the burned skin to more sunlight.
- Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
- Avoid irritating products on severely damaged skin.
Keeping blisters intact can help protect the underlying skin and reduce the risk of infection. If a blister breaks, keep the area clean and protected.
When Should You Go to Urgent Care for Sun Poisoning
Not every sunburn requires urgent care. However, urgent care for sunburn may be appropriate when symptoms are more severe than a typical mild burn and are not improving.
Consider a medical evaluation if you have:
- Significant or extensive sunburn blisters
- Severe or worsening pain
- Significant swelling
- Fever or chills
- Persistent headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or weakness
- Signs of dehydration
- Difficulty keeping fluids down
- A large area of severely burned skin
- Blisters that appear infected
- Pus, increasing redness, or red streaks around an open blister
- Symptoms that continue to worsen instead of improving
At Zenith Primary & Urgent Care, we provide same-day evaluation for severe sunburn and sun poisoning symptoms in adults and children. If you’ve had significant sun exposure and are experiencing severe redness, blistering, swelling, intense pain, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fever, or signs of dehydration, our experienced providers can evaluate your symptoms and determine the appropriate next steps.
Prompt medical evaluation is important when sunburn symptoms are severe, worsening, or accompanied by whole-body symptoms. Our providers can assess the extent of your sunburn, evaluate for dehydration or other complications, provide appropriate treatment recommendations, and determine whether you need additional care or referral to a higher level of care.
Zenith Urgent Care provides urgent care for severe sunburn and sun poisoning symptoms in Marlborough, MA, serving patients throughout the MetroWest communities, including Ashland, Berlin, Bolton, Framingham, Hopkinton, Hudson, Maynard, Northborough, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, Wayland, and Westborough.
If you’re concerned about sun poisoning symptoms after significant sun exposure, visit us today, call 617-500-7933, or book a same-day appointment here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sun Poisoning
Is sun poisoning contagious?
No. Sun poisoning caused by severe UV exposure is not contagious. It results from sun-related skin damage rather than an infection that can spread from person to person.
Can you get sun poisoning without blisters?
Yes. Severe sunburn can cause significant pain, redness, swelling, or whole-body symptoms without necessarily producing blisters. Blistering is one possible sign of a more serious burn, but it is not required.
Can sun poisoning cause a fever?
Yes. Fever and chills can occur with severe sunburn, also known as sun poisoning. A fever accompanied by severe sunburn should be taken seriously, particularly when other symptoms are present.
Can sun poisoning make you nauseous?
Yes. Nausea and vomiting can occur with severe sunburn. They may also be related to dehydration or heat-related illness, so persistent vomiting after significant sun exposure warrants medical attention.
How long does sun poisoning last?
Recovery varies depending on the severity of the burn. Mild sunburn may improve within several days, while severe burns with blistering can take longer to heal. A healthcare professional should evaluate persistent or worsening symptoms.
