Sun Poisoning or Sunburn? How to Tell the Difference

With most cases of sunburn, seeking medical attention is usually not necessary. Apart from redness and a slight stinging sensation, mild sunburns will heal just fine on their own.

The real problem begins when you start displaying symptoms that go far beyond the standard redness and irritation. Feeling dizzy, nauseous, feverish or sudden chills after receiving a sunburn are a cause for alarm because they may indicate sun poisoning, a severe form of sunburn.

Here are three things you need to know about the dangers of sun poisoning:

1. Sun poisoning is a severe form of sunburn that can result in blistering skin, extreme pain, dizziness, nausea, chills and other serious reactions.
2. Some people are at a greater risk of sun poisoning than others. Knowing your risk can help you take precautions to prevent severe burns.
3. Wearing daily sunscreen, even on cloudy days, is vital to preventing sun poisoning and reducing your risk of skin cancer.

What Is Sun Poisoning?

Sun poisoning is just a layman’s term used to describe a severe sunburn. It can take days or even weeks to heal, even when you take steps to help your sunburn heal faster.

Severe sunburns, especially a history of them, are dangerous for several reasons. In the short term, they can cause serious reactions such as extreme pain, body chills, fever and vomiting.

Perhaps more worrisome is their association with skin cancer. A 2016 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found a link between a history of severe sunburns and melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer (see claim: “…overall baseline history of severe sunburn was more apparently associated with risk of melanoma.”)

Sun Poisoning vs. Sunburn—What’s the Difference?

Regular sunburns can also lead to melanoma and cause discomfort. So, what’s the difference between a regular sunburn and sun poisoning? Let’s break it down:

Sunburn—If you spend 10 minutes in the sun without your sun stick or daily moisturizer with SPF, you’ll likely develop a mild sunburn. Within four to six hours, you’ll notice your skin becoming red and painful to the touch. The pain peaks around 24 hours and is easily manageable with a few home remedies for sunburn.

Sun Poisoning—Sun poisoning starts out exactly like a regular sunburn, only the symptoms get steadily worse. You may start feeling like you’re coming down with the flu and experience nausea, vomiting, body chills, headache and fever.

With sun poisoning, the skin can become extremely painful to the touch and develop blisters, putting you at risk for infection. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Who Is at Risk of Sun Poisoning?

Unsurprisingly, people who spend a lot of time outdoors are most at risk of sun poisoning. Other risk factors for sun poisoning include the following:

Fair Skin—Those with fair skin don’t produce as much melanin, a pigment which helps block harmful UV rays. This is why naturally dark-skinned people are far less likely to get burned.

High Altitudes—Higher altitudes can potentially result in more severe sunburns due to the earth’s thinner atmosphere and snow reflecting UV rays. According to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Travel Medicine, travelers to high-UV index regions are at a high risk of severe sunburn because they are more likely to engage in risky sun behaviors such as sun bathing and watersports (see claim: “Male expatriates reported more frequent intensive sun exposures and more skin exposures during nautical and mountain sports than male nonexpatriates.”)

Increased Photosensitivity—Sun poisoning can also refer to polymorphic light eruption, a form of photosensitivity that causes the skin to develop an irritating rash with exposure to sunlight. Certain medications and other medical conditions can also increase a person’s sensitivity to UV light.

How to Prevent Sun Poisoning

Unless you struggle with photosensitivity, preventing sun poisoning isn’t difficult. That being said, a recent study published in JAMA Dermatology did find that more than a third of American adults in the study received sunburns within the year (see claim: “A total of 31,162 respondents…with 34.2% experiencing sunburn in 2015.”)

To prevent both sunburns and sun poisoning, know your risk factors and practice the following sun safety tips:

• Wear sunscreen every day, even if it’s cloudy.
• Learn how to apply sunscreen properly for maximum UV protection.
• Avoid the sun during peak hours (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
• Wear sun-protective clothing for added sun safety.

Bottom Line

Although sunburns and sun poisoning share many similarities, it usually doesn’t take long to realize when your sunburn has become something more serious. If you begin experiencing serious symptoms such as blisters and flu-like symptoms, you need to see a doctor right away. Severe sunburns can put you at risk of dehydration, infection and other serious reactions.