We all love summers; some of us spend it outdoors enjoying the sunlight as much as we can. We believe that’s how we can make the best of a day with good weather. However, like everything else, excess of anything can have adverse effects. This means that one should take the necessary precautions involved in carrying out something. This includes spending a lot of time under the sun. Why? Along with a good tan, summer brings with it health problems that we must try to avoid.
These issues can range from mild dehydration to a possible heatstroke which is why we must be careful. Along with these problems, we are also exposed to the risk of sunburn. There are various products available in the market to keep us away from such a threat including hats, sunblock, and sunglasses. Sunburn may seem like a very mild issue but in severe cases, it can turn into a very painful experience for some.
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The symptoms of severe sunburn are more likely to show amongst people of light skin and hair color. Even though these symptoms have earned the name of sun poisoning, experts do not consider it to be a medical diagnosis. It is simply a term used commonly by people despite there being no involvement of actual poison. The name, sun poisoning may not be a proper diagnosis but it is still something experienced by many people. For this very reason, it is important to make sure your skin is safe from any kind of sun damages.
What are its Symptoms?
All Sunburns involve redness; blistering and pain but sun poisoning involve more severity. Along with these, the patient is bound to suffer other flu-like symptoms including:
- Headache
- Dehydration
- Dizziness
- Fever and Chills
- Skin redness and blistering
- Nausea
- Swelling
- Pain and tingling
How Does It Look?
Skin exposed to UV rays does not show its adverse effects until some time has passed. The more severe the case, the longer it takes to show. Along with the differences in their timings and indications, you can also identify sun poisoning according to its looks.
Its rash looks like its mild counterpart which is red painful-looking sunburn. Such a rash can even be considered hereditary as it comes under sun allergy. This means that itchiness is bound to accompany it along with small bumps that resemble hives. If you have sun poisoning, you may also face blisters. However, these signs can also be of photodermatoses which is a skin condition that some may suffer from. In such a case, clinical advice may be considered.
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What Are Sunburn Causes?
Sun poisoning, or in medical terms severe sunburn is more likely going to occur in cases of:
- Skin Cancer History
- Fair Skin Complexion
- Antibiotics consumption
- Oral contraceptives consumption
- Citrus Oils Users
- Herbal Supplements Users
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) users
- People living near the equator
- Beach Areas
- People living in mountainous areas
- People taking part in snow activities
How to Avoid Sunburn?
Once you realize the symptoms and looks of sunburn, you must get indoors. More time in the sun can lead to an increase in its severity. You can determine the damage done in order to see whether or not a trip to a doctor is required. In the cases where you have a lot of blisters or are facing dehydration, a doctor’s help is necessary.
Mild sunburn can easily be treated at home but the same cannot be said about a severe one. Sun poisoning pain cannot be relieved with just the help of cool showers and compresses. Aloe Vera gel can prove to have some cool effects with it. However, it is important to seek medical help regarding it. Moreover, as dehydration is a common symptom in both these cases, remember to drink water as much as you can.
For these reasons, steps should be taken immediately to avoid the occurrence of such a burn. Some tips that can be kept in mind will protect you from the sun’s UV and UVB rays. This includes always having sunblock with 30 SPF or above. It should properly spread on the body and face with a break of 2 hours each. This is especially necessary if you plan to spend time under the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. According to experts, during these hours, the UV rays are strongest. With the increased risk of sunburn, you can even consider sun-protective clothing. Such clothing involves UPF which can be described as SPF for fabric.
Sunburn, mild or severe can both be a painful experience we all wish to avoid. If you are someone with skin that’s sensitive to sunlight, these precautions are vital for your sunny day routine. Keep yourself safe with these tips so you can enjoy good weather without letting the excessive exposure ruin your skin.
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