Sun poisoning is a severe reaction to excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation, extending beyond a common sunburn. It indicates an overwhelming bodily response to intense UV light, representing a serious form of sun damage.
Understanding Sun Poisoning
Sun poisoning is a severe sunburn, often accompanied by a systemic bodily response. It differs from a mild sunburn, which typically causes only redness and tenderness. This intense reaction occurs when skin receives more UV exposure than it can safely handle.
Factors increasing susceptibility include prolonged unprotected sun exposure. Certain medications, such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, can heighten photosensitivity. Underlying conditions like polymorphic light eruption may also cause an exaggerated response to sunlight.
Immediate Manifestations
Sun poisoning typically causes severe redness, significant pain, and blistering. Blisters can vary in size and may cover large areas of exposed skin. The affected skin often feels warm to the touch, with a burning sensation.
Beyond skin symptoms, sun poisoning can trigger systemic effects. Individuals may experience fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms. Nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness are also common due to the body’s inflammatory response and potential dehydration. Severe cases can lead to extreme fatigue and confusion.
Long-Term Implications
Frequent and severe episodes of sun poisoning contribute to accelerated skin aging. This damage can manifest as premature wrinkles, fine lines, and sun spots or age spots. Such changes reflect the cumulative impact of UV radiation on skin elasticity and pigmentation.
A more significant long-term consequence of severe sun poisoning is an increased risk of skin cancers. Each severe sunburn, particularly those causing blistering, elevates the likelihood of developing melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. The risk also increases for non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. This heightened risk stems from DNA damage within skin cells caused by excessive UV radiation.
Seeking Professional Care
It is important to seek medical attention for sun poisoning if symptoms are severe or do not improve with home care. Specific red-flag symptoms include extensive blistering, especially if blisters cover a large portion of the body or appear on the face. Signs of infection, such as pus, increased redness, or warmth around the blisters, also warrant a doctor’s visit.
Medical consultation is also recommended for severe systemic symptoms. These include a high fever, persistent nausea or vomiting, severe headache, or confusion. Significant dehydration, characterized by extreme thirst or decreased urination, or fainting episodes, also necessitates professional medical care. Treatment may involve intravenous fluids for dehydration, prescription pain relief, topical steroid creams, or in some instances, oral steroids to manage inflammation.