While basking in the moderate sun can benefit your health, excessive exposure can take a toll on your skin. Thanks to UVA and UVB rays in sunlight which can harm your skin in different ways. UVA rays are responsible for premature aging and UVB rays cause sunburn.
Most people have experienced at least one mild sunburn at some point in their lives. However, there is one more sun condition known as less common sun poisoning. It is a severe form of sunburn.
But is not easy to differentiate these two conditions. How to tell that you have sunburn or sun poisoning? Thanks to the look-alike symptoms of both sun conditions.
Fret not!
In this blog, we will learn the differences related to sunburn vs. sun poisoning.
Sunburn vs. Sun Poisoning: What to Know
It is quite difficult to distinguish if you have sunburn or sun poisoning. When you have sunburn, you experience skin redness, tenderness and swelling that often peel during the healing stage.
Sun poisoning is a severe type of sunburn, meaning that you need immediate medical attention. It has similar symptoms to sunburn such as redness, blisters, and hives. However, it is a severe condition because these signs are often accompanied by nausea, dizziness, dehydration, and fatigue. In severe cases, it can cause death.
What is Sunburn?
Sunburn is a sun damage caused by overexposure to the sun’s UV radiation. As a result, the skin becomes swollen, red, and painful to the touch. In severe cases, it develops blisters. Sunburn also leads to the itching, peeling, and dryness of the skin.
UV radiation harms the DNA in the skin cells, leading to wrinkles, aging, and a risk of skin cancer. Therefore, it is important to protect your skin by using a high-SPF sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, seeking shades, and reducing prolonged exposure to the sun during peak hours. The basic remedies to heal sunburn are applying a cool compress and taking cold showers.
What are the Causes of Sunburn?
- UVB rays are the primary culprit for sunburn as they penetrate the outer layer of the skin, causing damage and inflammation. Although UVA rays are less intense, they can cause sunburn and lead to skin cancer and premature aging.
- Excessive sun exposure also leads to sunburn, especially if you are spending time in the sun during peak hours (between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Not all skin types are the same. People with fair or light skin are more prone to sunburn than those with darker skin tones. This is because fair skin has less melanin, a pigment that provides some protection against UV rays. You are also vulnerable to sunburn if you have sensitive skin or a history of sunburn.
- Certain medications can also increase your skin’s sensitivity to UV radiation, making you more vulnerable to sunburn. These medications include antihistamines and antibiotics.
How to Treat Sunburn?
- Apply a cool compress to the skin. Damp the cloth with cold water and apply it to the affected skin for 10-15 minutes. Or you can put ice in the cloth. Avoid applying ice directly to the skin.
- Apply aloe vera gel to the affected area.
- Stay out of the sun until your skin overcomes the sunburn.
- Take OTC pain relief medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with pain and inflammation.
What is Sun Poisoning?
Sun poisoning is a severe form of sunburn. It is caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV radiation. Also called sun allergy or photodermatitis, it can affect the multiple layers of skin, unlike sunburn which can affect the top layer of skin.
However, the term “sun poisoning” might be tricky to understand, as it presumes that someone is poisoned due to sun exposure. It is nothing but a condition caused by the excessive exposure to UV rays.
Some of the common symptoms of sun poisoning are redness and swelling of the skin, blisters and hives, nausea and dizziness, headache and fever, and dehydration and fatigue.
What are the Causes of Sun Poisoning?
Sun poisoning is caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV radiation, which can harm the skin and trigger immune system reactions. The immune system responds to the damage by discharging histamines that can lead to itching, inflammation, and other signs.
The other causes of sunburn are fair skin, medications (antibiotics), elderly, and medical history.
How to Treat Sun Poisoning?
- Cool the skin by taking a cool bath or shower.
- Apply a cold, damp cloth to the affected area.
- Stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water.
- Apply moisturizing lotion or aloe vera gel to soothe the affected area.
- Take an OTC pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
But keep in mind that sun poisoning is a severe form of sunburn, requiring you to seek medical help. This is because it damages your skin layers. The treatment may include corticosteroid creams, antibiotics, or prescription-strength pain relievers to minimize the risk of infection.
The Bottom Line:
Sunburn and sun poisoning are both caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays.
They differ in terms of symptoms and severity.
Sunburn causes mild to moderate skin irritation affecting the top layer of skin. It goes on its own within a few days. On the other hand, sun poisoning is a severe type of sunburn that impacts multiple layers of skin and can trigger a range of symptoms such as hives, fever, nausea, and blisters. This sun condition requires medical attention.
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