Help! How Do I Know If I Have Sun Poisoning?
When you’re spending a lot of time out in the sun, you have to use an SPF to protect your skin. However, we know sometimes it’s easy to forget to put it on (or reapply it) and we end up with a sun burn. But… What are the signs that indicate your sun burn is actually sun poisoning? Read our article and find out more.
Studies have shown that about 30 percent of all Americans get a sunburn at least once every year.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention does its best to tell people the dangers of going out in the sun without sunscreen. Unfortunately, there are still millions of Americans who do it anyway.
In some rare cases, people are also subjected to more than sunburn. They could get sun poisoning, which is an extreme form of sunburn with even worse consequences.
It can be unpleasant dealing with sun poisoning. In some cases, it can lead to serious health consequences if you aren’t careful.
Here are some of the ways you’ll know you’re likely dealing with a bad case of sun poisoning after a day out in the hot sun.
It Feels Like Your Body Is Battling the Flu
Does your body feel awful after spending a lot of time out in the sun?
This is one of the first signs of sun poisoning. It can almost feel like you’re dealing with a sudden bout of the flu when it first starts to kick in.
When you have sun poisoning, your body releases a bunch of chemicals that send your immune system springing into action. Those chemicals make you feel run down zaps your energy.
The good news is that this proves your immune system is doing its job. The bad news is that it’s a sign that you’re going to feel a little under the weather for at least a day or two.
Your Skin Is Very Prickly and Sensitive to the Touch
Any time you get a sunburn, your skin will feel very sensitive. Even something as simple as your T-shirt rubbing against it will irritate your skin and make you want to scream.
When you are battling sun poisoning, this feeling will be about 100 times worse. A little wind blowing against your red, raw skin will feel like a fire blazing over top of it. You’ll want to jump out of your skin and get relief as quickly as you can.
Unfortunately, this feeling is going to last for quite some time. It’s part of the healing process, and there’s nothing you can do to make the pain go away completely.
But you can try these steps to make your skin feel better:
- Apply aloe vera to your skin
- Jump into a cold shower every so often
- Place a cold compress over your skin
- Take ibuprofen to relieve some of the pain
Again, there’s no surefire cure for this level of sunburn. But with a little bit of patience, your skin will likely start to feel better in a day or two.
You’re Very Dizzy and Lightheaded
When your body gets too much sun, it can zap your hydration levels. This is especially true if you didn’t drink much water while you were laying in the sun.
When you’re dehydrated, you will usually feel dizzy and lightheaded. You might even have a touch of nausea and feel like you’re going to throw up at any moment.
Rehydrating your body will take time. You should start drinking something that contains electrolytes right away. You’re going to need more than water to get the job done.
You should also avoid alcoholic beverages or anything that is going to dehydrate you any further.
You Have a Fever
When you first step out of the sun, you are, of course, going to feel a little bit warm. The sun is going to cause your temperature to go up a bit.
But if you still feel warm long after you’ve come in from out of the sun, it could be a big problem. If you develop a fever, you might be experiencing sun poisoning.
It’s generally better to be safe than sorry when it comes to a fever associated with being out in the sun. You might want to consider taking a trip to the doctor’s office to get your condition checked out sooner than later.
If nothing else, you should take an over-the-counter medicine designed to bring your temperature down and see if it helps.
Your Skin Starts to Blister
As your skin starts to heal following sun poisoning, you may see blisters start to develop in the affected areas.
On the one hand, this is a good sign because it shows that your body is making an effort to heal. On the other, blisters can allow germs and bacteria to work their way into your body if you aren’t careful while treating them.
You should continue to apply aloe vera to your skin as it heals. This will moisturize it and promote quicker healing.
You should consider seeing a doctor if you experience any blistering on your face, your hands, or any other sensitive areas.
Your Skin Doesn’t Feel How It Usually Does With a Sunburn
There are a lot of people who will brush off sun poisoning thinking it’s just sunburn.
While you don’t want to get paranoid about your condition, you should keep a close eye on anything that looks like sunburn. Make sure that it doesn’t develop into something worse.
If you’re experiencing unbearable pain that won’t go away no matter what you do, it’s time to bring a doctor into the mix to diagnose you.
You should also keep an eye on your skin for signs of skin cancer and other problems following bouts of sunburn and poisoning. This office can provide you with more information.
Avoid Sun Poisoning at All Costs
You can prevent sun poisoning by wearing sunscreen and staying away from too much sun exposure.
It will reduce your chances of dealing with sunburn and poisoning and reduce the risks of sun cancer.
Take a look at our blog to read more about leading a healthier lifestyle.
