Excessive sun exposure might result in sunburn. Sunburn is defined by redness, irritation, and painful skin. Dehydration, blistering, and flu-like symptoms are common symptoms of sun poisoning, which is a more severe form of sunburn. Do you know the symptoms of sun poisoning and how you can prevent it? Check out the following review.
What is sun poisoning?
Sunburn may result from 15 minutes of exposure to the sun. Severe sunburn symptoms may result if you spend an extended period of time in the hot sun without wearing sun protection, such as sunscreen, long-sleeved clothing, hats, umbrellas, or sunglasses.
Symptoms of sunburn, such as redness or peeling skin, typically do not manifest immediately; they may manifest several hours later.
The term "sun poisoning" refers to severe sunburn. Although this term is not formally acknowledged in the medical community, it has been used to simplify the use of this term by non-medical people to describe severe sunburn or allergic skin reactions that are the result of the use of specific medications.
Image 1. Sunburn. Credit: dermnetnz.org
Read more: First Aid For Sinar Matahari Burns (Sunburn)
A sunburn-like symptom is frequently the initial manifestation of sun poisoning, which is characterized by an allergic reaction. Common sunburn symptoms include redness, itching, sensitive skin, pain, and a sensation of warmth or scorching on the skin. Meanwhile, the following symptoms may indicate sun poisoning:
- Blistered skin
- Skin rash
- Swelling accompanied by redness and pain
- Fever and chills
- Dehydration
- Confusion
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or fainting
Read more: How To Protect Babies From Exposure To Sunlight
Sun poisoning treatment: dos and don'ts
The initial step in treating sunburn symptoms is to avoid exposure to sunlight and then manage the condition according to the symptoms you are experiencing. Home remedies can help relieve certain symptoms; however, severe symptoms may necessitate medical care at a clinic or hospital.
Skin treatments for sunburns include:
- Protect yourself from the ultraviolet (UV) To prevent damage to the skin, immediately seek shelter or use a blanket, umbrella, or long-sleeved clothing.
- Soothe your skin. To bring the skin temperature down, try using a cold compress or even just stepping into a cold shower.
- Put some moisturizer or aloe vera gel on. You can soothe burned skin with aloe vera gel. There are many kinds of moisturizers available that can reduce inflammation, not only aloe vera gel.
- Keep hydrated by drinking lots of water. A sunburn could lead to a loss of fluids in the body. Rehydrating with water helps lower core temperature and restore fluid loss.
- Do not rub skin that has blisters. Rubbing or popping blisters might cause infection. Consult a doctor immediately if you blister a wide area.
Sunburn symptoms will disappear with time. The degree of the burn and the state of your skin will determine how long each person recovers. Usually, sunburn symptoms appear four hours after sun exposure, then get worse over the next twenty-six to thirty-hour period and will keep getting better for the following five days.
In the meantime, the recovery process for sun toxicity will be slightly longer. The outer layer of the skin begins to peel after 3–8 days, and pain can persist for up to 48 hours. Blisters that are sufficiently large will necessitate additional time for recovery.
Sun poisoning is a medical disease that requires prompt care, particularly if you are experiencing dehydration. To avoid sunburn, it is recommended to use sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 and to wear protective clothing, such as long clothes, a hat, or an umbrella.
If you experience severe symptoms as a result of skin burns, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- dr. Alvidiani Agustina Damanik
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Stuart, A. (2022). Sun Poisoning. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/sun-poisoning
Cherney, K. (2023). Sun Poisoning. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/sun-poisoning
Fisher, J. (2024). Sun poisoning symptoms: Signs you've had too much sun. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/digital_first_content/sun-poisoning-symptoms-signs-youve-had-too-much-sun