What Is Sun Poisoning? Plus, How to Treat and Prevent It

You expected to come home with sand in your swimsuit and cheeks kissed by the sun. What you got instead was angry, red, inflamed skin that’s painful. You may even have blisters.

These are all signs that you’ve experienced what’s known colloquially as “sun poisoning.” But what is sun poisoning, exactly? We talked to doctors in dermatology and family medicine to learn what to do if you have the symptoms of a severe sunburn, how to treat your skin, when it’s an emergency, and what to do to prevent it in the future.

The term itself is certainly a misnomer. “Despite the name, ‘sun poisoning’ isn’t actually poisoning,” says Betsy Koickel, MD, chief medical officer of GoHealth Urgent Care in Houston. “It refers to a severe case of sunburn that can cause symptoms beyond your typical sunburn, such as blistering, swelling, and sometimes even nausea and dizziness.”

“It’s essentially a scarier way to say you’ve gotten too much unprotected UV exposure,” adds Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology in Toronto.

Although we use the term to describe a bad sunburn, “sun poisoning isn’t an established clinical term, so depending on who you have a discussion with, they may have a different definition,” says Aisha A. Mumtaz, MD, FAAD, dermatologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. “There are many acute photosensitivity reactions that can be referred to as sun poisoning.”

As such, photosensitivity reactions are often labeled “sun poisoning” and may include:

• Polymorphic light eruption (PMLE)  This is a rash that develops on one’s skin after UV light exposure, particularly in the spring during the first bout of sunny weather (in areas where sunny weather is not year-round).

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  It may also be referred to as sun allergy or sun poisoning.

• Chemical photosensitivity (aka phytophotodermatitis) Some oral medications or topical products can cause the skin to develop reactions to sunlight, the symptoms of which include redness, inflammation, discoloration, blisters, or itching 24 to 72 hours after sun exposure.

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   Examples include tricyclic antidepressants, sulfonylureas, diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), fragrances, and ingredients in sunscreens. Another? Limes, celery, and parsley. “Limes can make people’s skin more sensitive to UV light. This is called phytophotodermatitis,” says Dr. Mumtaz. “Be careful with your margaritas on the beach this summer.”

• Solar urticaria After being in the sun for a few minutes, those with solar urticaria develop hives, as well as (possibly) headaches, wheezing, dizziness, and nausea.

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Although it’s a severe sunburn, sun poisoning doesn’t only happen if you’re lying on a beach for prolonged periods of time, says Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, MD, PhD, board-certified dermatologist and owner of Dermatology Circle in New York City. “People with very fair or sensitive skin can develop severe sunburns even after brief exposure to the sun,” she explains.

In addition, sun poisoning can get confused for other sun-related illnesses, including heat stroke (also called sunstroke). “Heat stroke occurs when the body gets overheated and can’t cool itself down fast enough. It is very dangerous and can be life-threatening,” says Dr. Yadav. It’s possible to have both sun poisoning and heat stroke at the same time, she adds.

Dr. Koickel recommends watching out for the following symptoms of sun poisoning:

• Red, painful skin
• Blistering, peeling, or swelling of the affected skin
• Headaches
• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Dehydration
• Fatigue

“These are all signs that your body might be having an intense reaction to the sun’s UV rays, resulting in heat exhaustion and heat stroke that happen with long stretches of sun exposure,” says Koickel.

Treatments for sun poisoning are similar to treating a sunburn. Here’s what you can do.

Immediate Steps

1. The first thing to do is to get out of the sun immediately. Seek a cool, shaded, or air-conditioned area, advises Koickel.
2. Next, hydrate. “Start drinking plenty of water or an electrolyte replacement solution,” Koickel says.
3. Soothe skin by applying cool compresses or taking a cool shower or bath, says Koickel. (Avoid taking an ice-cold shower or bath or applying ice directly to the skin.)

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4. Rest. Give your skin time and opportunity to heal — out of the sun. “As your skin recovers from sun poisoning, I would recommend avoiding the sun entirely as it will be incredibly sensitive,” says Yadav.

Topical Treatments

When you wash, do so gently with fragrance-free cleansers and body wash until skin has healed, says Yadav. In addition to aloe, oat extracts and colloidal oats are other ingredients to look for in skincare products like body washes and lotions that soothe inflamed skin, she says.

For especially severe sun poisoning, your dermatologist may recommend using a topical steroid cream to reduce inflammation, says Kazlouskaya. Mild topical steroids are available over the counter, with stronger versions available by prescription. Talk to your healthcare provider or dermatologist about their recommendations for you.

Medications

If you have significant itching, taking an over-the-counter antihistamine may help you control the urge to scratch, says Yadav.

When to See a Doctor

Most of the time you will be able to treat sun poisoning at home, says Koickel. However, there are times when someone may need medical attention, she says. Call your healthcare provider or visit a place like urgent care if you experience the following signs or symptoms, Koickel advises:

• Large, painful blisters
• Infected areas of the skin
• A high fever (call your doctor if you have a fever over 104 degrees F)

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• Fainting
• Vomiting
• Dehydration (dry mouth or dizziness)

Systemic symptoms like chills or vomiting can be indicators of heat stroke, says Mumtaz. “People should take it seriously because this can quickly progress to confusion, slurred speech, seizures, or coma,” she says.

Preventing a sunburn is the primary way to prevent sun poisoning. “Combine multiple protective strategies,” says Mumtaz. Here are the sun-safe habits to prioritize:

• Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, says Kazlouskaya. This is a type of sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays.

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   Purchase one that has at least SPF 30+ and is water resistant.
• Apply sunscreen correctly. Use 1 ounce (a shot glass–size amount) to cover exposed areas of skin, apply it 15 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours when you’re outside.

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• Protect skin in other ways. Sunscreen isn’t the only way you can protect your skin. Kazlouskaya also advises wearing a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight, long-sleeve clothing when outdoors.
• Use smart sun avoidance. If possible, avoid sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is at its peak, Kazlouskaya says.

• “Sun poisoning” is a nonmedical, colloquial term for a severe sunburn, but it can also refer to skin reactions that are triggered by exposure to sunlight.
• Common symptoms of severe sunburn — or sun poisoning — include skin redness and discomfort, blisters, peeling, and dehydration.
• Most of the time, sun poisoning can be treated at home by getting out of the sun, applying cool compresses or taking a cool shower/bath, using soothing skin topicals like aloe vera, and taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce pain and discomfort.
• If you experience symptoms like a high fever, dizziness, vomiting, and confusion, connect with a healthcare provider right away.
• Sun-safe habits like regularly applying broad-spectrum sunscreen, wearing sun-protective clothing, and staying out of the sun during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) can reduce your risk of sun poisoning.