Everything You Need to Know About Sun Poisoning: Symptoms and Treatments
Learn about sun poisoning, its symptoms, treatments, and prevention tips. Stay safe under the sun with expert advice and actionable steps to protect your skin.
Read Time: 7 minutes
Sun poisoning is caused by an over exposure to the sun's harmful UV rays.
Fallen asleep in the sun and woke up with sun poisoning? Or maybe you are just curious about what sun poisoning actually is – either way, after reading this article you’ll know exactly what to do if you get it!
What is Sun Poisoning?
Sun poisoning is a term used to describe a severe sunburn. It doesn’t actually mean you've been poisoned (thankfully!). It happens when your skin has been exposed to the sun’s UV rays for too long, causing more intense symptoms than a typical sunburn. While a mild burn might just leave your skin a little red and sore, sun poisoning can cause blistering, pain, and other uncomfortable symptoms like fever, chills, swelling, and nausea.
Symptoms of Sun Poisoning
Sun Rash
A sun rash is one of the first signs of sun poisoning. It can appear as small, red bumps or larger patches on your skin, and it’s often itchy or uncomfortable.
Mild Sunburn
Before things get serious, you’ll typically experience the same symptoms as a regular sunburn—skin redness, pain, and the familiar hot-to-the-touch feeling. But with sun poisoning, the redness tends to be more intense.
Other Symptoms
Along with a painful sunburn, you might also experience:
- Blistering or peeling skin
- Fever and chills
- Dehydration (dry mouth, dizziness, and feeling lightheaded)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Joint or muscle pain
- Dizziness or fainting
- Swelling
Treating Sun Poisoning
Self-Treatment
- Get out of the sun: Find some shade, or, even better, go inside.
- Cool down your skin: Soak in a cool bath or shower to help reduce pain. Just make sure it’s not too cold, as that can shock your skin.
- Moisturise: Apply aloe vera or a thick moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated and help it heal.
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids and prevent dehydration. This is especially important if you are experiencing swelling.
- Pain relief: Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or paracetamol can help reduce inflammation and ease pain.
When to See a Doctor
- Blistering or swelling on large areas of your body
- Severe fever or chills
- Headaches or confusion
- Upset stomach or vomiting that doesn’t improve
- Dehydration (dry mouth, dizziness, fainting)
A doctor might treat you with IV fluids to help with hydration and prescribe medication, such as oral prednisone, to ease your symptoms and prevent infection.
If you have had a history of sunburns, then it is also recommended to see a doctor regularly to check your skin to ensure you have not developed skin cancer.
Causes and Risks of Sun Poisoning
Sun poisoning happens when your skin is exposed to too much UV radiation from the sun. If you spend a long time in direct sunlight without proper protection, you’re at risk. People with fair skin, red or blonde hair, and those who have a family history of skin cancer are more likely to suffer from sun poisoning.
Other risk factors include taking medications that make your skin more sensitive to the sun, like some antibiotics or acne treatments, such as accutane. If you’re on any medication, make sure to check the label to see if it has this effect.
Prevention and Protection Tips
Sun Protective Clothing
Other than hiding from the sun (which none of us want to do), the most effective way to protect your skin from harmful UV rays is by wearing sun protective clothing. Sun protective clothing provides you with a reliable barrier between you and the sun, a bit like wearing a layer of broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sun cream all the time without having to re-apply it! You can check out our range of UPF 50+ sun protective clothing at Equatorsun.
Sun Cream
It’s no surprise that sun cream is one of the best defenses against sunburn and sun poisoning. Choose a broad-spectrum sun cream with at least SPF 30 and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Don't forget areas like your ears, neck, and feet (and don’t fall asleep in the sun)!
Spray Tans
If you love the look of a tan but want to avoid the harmful effects of the sun, try a spray tan. It’s a safe alternative to tanning and gives you that bronzed glow without the risk of sunburn.
If you don’t think spray tans are safe, just know that the scary-sounding active ingredient in many spray tans, dihydroxyacetone, is actually just a colourless sugar molecule that turns brown when it reacts with the amino acids on the skin. Not to mention, it doesn’t even penetrate deeper than the top layer of your skin; which are just dead skin cells anyway.
Skin Care and Repair After Sun Poisoning
Once you’ve been treated for sun poisoning, your skin will need time to heal. Here’s what you can do:
- Moisturise regularly to keep your skin hydrated.
- Avoid picking at blisters—let them heal naturally to avoid scarring.
- Stay out of the sun until your skin has fully recovered.
- Drink plenty of water to help your body recover.
Sun Poisoning FAQs
Yes! It is deceptive but UV rays can actually still reach you even when it’s cloudy. Always apply sun cream and wear sun protective clothes as much as possible, even on overcast days.
Absolutely. While people with darker skin may be less likely to burn, they can still get sun poisoning if exposed to the sun for too long without protection.
Look for a broad-spectrum sun cream with at least SPF 30. Some sun creams also contain antioxidants and moisturising agents to help protect and repair your skin.
Sun protective clothing is your best bet! Our clothes at Equatorsun are designed to block harmful UV rays while keeping you comfortable and stylish.
It depends on the severity of your sun poisoning, but it typically takes several days to a week to heal. In severe cases, it can take longer and may leave scars.
Takeaways
Sun poisoning is more than just a bad sunburn—it’s a painful reminder of the importance of sun protection. Whether it’s choosing the right sun cream, wearing UPF-rated clothing, or knowing when to seek medical help, being prepared is key. By staying proactive and informed, you can enjoy your time in the sun safely.