Sun Poisoning

Don’t Underestimate The Dangers Of Sun Poisoning

Sunburn Everybody loves to make the most of it when the sun comes out, which is great as sunlight is good for the bones and for our overall health. However, overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause inflammation of the skin, otherwise known as sunburn. Extended overexposure can lead to sun poisoning, which is a more severe form of sunburn. Unfortunately, most people underestimate the potential danger of sun poisoning.

If you’ve spent too much time in the sun and are feeling heat of sun poisoning symptoms, don’t just dismiss them. You need immediate care to alleviate these symptoms and prevent potential long term effects. Call us today at Nite Owl Urgent Care and our caring staff will take care of your needs when it after hours.

Why is Sun Poisoning Dangerous?

Sunburn or sun poisoning early in life puts you at a higher risk for developing skin cancer later on.

Howover, frequent overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun causes untold damage to the skin and eyes. It increases the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness and also causes the skin to dry out leading to premature wrinkling and scarring.

Recognizing Sun Poisoning Symptoms

If you’ve stayed out in the sun too long, some of the immediate symptoms of sunburn that you will see are that you feel dehydrated and your skin is red, flushed and tender and even the slightest touch causes pain. A few days after the exposure, your skin may begin to blister or swell or peel or in severe cases, it may develop rashes or welts. Limited exposure to the sun may have milder symptoms that could range from skin redness to skin irritation or mild pain.

Prolonged overexposure to the sun could cause sun poisoning, which has more severe symptoms.

Signs of poisoning could include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Dizziness or disorientation
• Extreme dehydration
• Nausea
• Facial swelling
• Rapid breathing and rapid pulse
• Fever and chills
• Severe blisters and soreness
• Shock with loss of consciousness
• Heat stroke

Heat stroke is a severe form of hyperthermia and is considered a medical emergency.

Risk Factors for Sun Poisoning

The intensity of your sun poisoning symptoms depends upon several factors including:

• Your skin type: Lighter colored skin is more susceptible to sun burn
• The time, duration and season of the exposure: UV rays are strongest at noon and immediately before and after noon (between 10 am and 3 pm) and especially so in summer and spring.
• Medications you may be taking: Some drugs are sun-sensitizing and have been proven to increase a person’s susceptibility to sun poisoning.

Measures for Preventing Sun Poisoning

The best way to prevent sun poisoning is to avoid spending too much time in the sun, especially in direct sunlight in the middle of a hot summer’s day. When you do go out in the sun, wear protective clothing – a large brimmed hat, loose long-sleeved shirt and long trousers and wear protective sunscreen over all exposed parts of the skin. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated while spending time in the sun.

While mild sunburn can be easily managed by drinking a lot of water and applying a dampened cloth over the affected areas followed by application of a soothing cream, if you have the symptoms of sun poisoning, it is best to seek medical care as soon as possible.