What Is Sun Poisoning and How Can You Prevent It?
As we continue to enjoy the sunny summertime weather, it's more important than ever to protect your skin from the sun's rays, and not just because of a possible sunburn.
While it's similar to a sunburn, sun poisoning is rare but can be a very serious condition, especially if it goes untreated.
What Is Sun Poisoning?
Sun poisoning, caused by long-term exposure to intense UV light, is a type of allergic reaction and doesn't affect everyone, according to experts.
Similar to a sunburn, sun poisoning will often cause itchiness, bumps and even pain where the skin is impacted, but symptoms typically last longer. Other sun poisoning symptoms include:
- Bumps
- Blisters
- Swelling
- Darkened Skin
- Fever
- Nausea
Some pre-existing conditions can also make you more likely to develop sun poisoning, including eczema or lupus, which can make you more sensitive to sunlight. Additionally, if you have fair skin, light-colored hair and blue or green eyes, you are at a higher risk of sun poisoning.
Can You Prevent Sun Poisoning?
The steps to prevent sun poisoning are similar to the steps you'd take to prevent a sunburn. These include reducing exposure and using sunscreen when heading outside.
For helpful information on how to choose sunscreen, see our fact vs. fiction tips!
Reducing exposure does not necessarily mean staying indoors. You can avoid prolonged exposure by covering your skin with clothing, wearing a hat or seeking shade whenever possible.
You should also be aware of any side effects of medications you take. Some medications can increase your sensitivity to the sun, including antibiotics, antifungals, antihistamines and cholesterol lowering drugs, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
How Do You Treat Sun Poisoning?
If you or a loved one experienced sun poisoning, you should first seek medical advice from your primary care doctor or an urgent care location. The most likely course of treatment is to focus on specific symptoms, but there are other ways your doctor may recommend treating the condition.
These treatments could include:
Light therapy: This involves exposing skin to different wavelengths of light, slowing the growth of damaged cells and thereby managing symptoms and relieving pain.
Drug therapy: If light therapy is not an option, your doctor may recommend medications, which could be a long-term or short-term treatment plan. However, this is normally only recommended if you are extremely sensitive to light.
Dietary changes: While there is not much known about how nutrition can alleviate sun poisoning, certain essential vitamins and minerals can reduce your risk of light sensitivity-related illness. Eating a well-rounded diet with plenty of nutrients every day is key to reducing your risk of most illnesses.
Nutritional deficiencies can impair wound healing so you should also discuss any potential vitamin or mineral deficiencies with your doctor.
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