Identifying the Symptoms of Sun Poisoning: A Guide

While it can be fun to soak up the sun and get your vitamin D in the summer, high temperatures can lead to a real risk of sun poisoning.

Sun poisoning is a serious illness usually caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation that burns the skin. This is not an official medical diagnosis, but rather a general term for severe sunburn.

Unlike mild sunburn, sun poisoning usually requires treatment to prevent complications such as skin damage, heatstroke, and cancer. One of the most common symptoms is swelling of the face.

New York City dermatologist Dr. Debra Jaliman said facial swelling could be an allergic reaction to the sun.

Speaking to HealthCentral, she explained: “When your body is exposed to too much sunlight, the immune system reacts by reddening the affected area of ​​skin, which becomes painful. Blood vessels swell to increase blood flow and speed up healing, sometimes leading to redness and swelling.” “.

Other symptoms of sun poisoning:

According to WebMD, there are eight other major symptoms of sun poisoning that you should be aware of:

Skin redness and blisters

pain and tingling

swelling

– headache

Fever and chills

– nausea

– Dizziness

– drought

And if you think you or someone you know has sun poisoning, you need to see a doctor right away.

Your doctor may treat sun poisoning with cold compresses and intravenous (IV) rehydration fluids.

He may also prescribe steroids for ulcers and swelling, antibiotics to prevent infection, and pain relievers for relief.

Prevent sun poisoning

Experts say it can take as little as ten minutes to get a sunburn, so health experts offer several ways to stay cool during the hottest weather of the year:

Stay out of the heat as much as possible

If you must go outside, stay in the shade, especially between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm, use sunscreen, a hat, and light clothing.

Avoid exercises or activities that make you hotter

Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside drops.

Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35°C.

Source: Sun