You meant to spend an hour outside. Then it turned into three. Now your skin is red, hot and painful and you’re wondering if this is just a bad sunburn, or something worse.
“Sunburn happens when ultraviolet rays damage the skin, but more severe cases can affect more than just the surface,” says Syed Hussain, MD, with Hartford HealthCare. “That’s when people may start using the term sun poisoning.”
So how do you know what you’re dealing with?
Here’s how to tell the difference between sun poisoning and sunburn.
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Sun poisoning isn’t really poisoning
Despite the name, sun poisoning doesn’t mean you’ve been poisoned by the sun.
It’s a common term people use for a severe sunburn, especially when the burn comes with symptoms that affect the rest of your body.
“Sun poisoning is not a formal medical diagnosis, but it usually describes a sunburn that is more intense than usual,” Dr. Hussain says. “The skin may blister, and the person may also feel sick, lightheaded or dehydrated.”
In other words, a regular sunburn is mostly about your skin, but sun poisoning is when symptoms start to go beyond the burn.
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A mild sunburn is usually manageable at home
Most sunburns are uncomfortable, but manageable at home.
You may notice:
- Redness or skin discoloration.
- Warmth or tenderness.
- Pain when the area is touched.
- Mild swelling.
- Peeling a few days later.
“Even a mild sunburn is still a sign of skin damage,” Dr. Hussain says. “But if symptoms are limited to the skin and improving with home care, it’s often something people can manage on their own.”
That means getting out of the sun, cooling the skin, drinking water and giving your body time to heal.
But don’t brush it off completely.
Sunburns can increase your risk for long-term skin damage, premature aging and skin cancer, especially when they happen repeatedly.
> Related: Your Summertime Guide to Preventing and Detecting Skin Cancer
Sun poisoning symptoms go beyond redness
Sun poisoning is usually more intense.
Along with a painful burn, you may feel feverish, chilled, nauseous, dizzy, unusually tired or dehydrated.
“If you have a sunburn and you also feel sick, that’s a warning sign,” Dr. Hussain says. “Your body may be reacting not only to the burn, but also to heat exposure and fluid loss.”
This is where things can get confusing.
Some symptoms people blame on sun poisoning may actually overlap with dehydration, heat exhaustion or, in serious cases, heat stroke. That’s why symptoms like confusion, fainting, severe weakness or a very high body temperature should never be ignored.
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Blisters mean your burn is more serious
A little redness is one thing, but blisters are another.
“If your sunburn is blistering, that means the injury is deeper,” Dr. Hussain says. “It’s important not to pop the blisters, because that can increase the risk of infection.”
Instead, keep the area clean, cool and protected.
You should also avoid putting heavy creams, oils or harsh products on blistered skin unless your doctor recommends them. And if the blisters cover a large area – or they’re on your face, hands or genitals – it’s time to call a doctor.
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Start by cooling your skin and getting out of the sun
Whether you have a mild sunburn or something more severe, the first step is the same: Get out of the sun.
“Once your skin is burned, more sun exposure will only make the injury worse,” Dr. Hussain says. “Move indoors or into the shade as soon as you notice symptoms.”
Then focus on cooling and hydrating. A cool shower, cool compress, gentle moisturizer or aloe can help soothe the skin. Drinking water or an electrolyte drink can also help, especially if you’ve been sweating or spending hours in the heat.
And keep an eye on how you feel over the next several hours.
“Sunburn symptoms can continue to develop after you leave the sun,” Dr. Hussain says. “That’s why it’s important to pay attention to symptoms that go beyond the skin.”
If your pain is getting worse, you feel dizzy or nauseous, or you can’t keep fluids down, don’t try to tough it out.
That’s a sign your burn may be more than something to manage at home.
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Protect your skin before the burn starts
The easiest sunburn to treat is the one you never get.
Before you head outside, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and reapply every two hours, or sooner if you’re swimming or sweating. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and lightweight protective clothing when you can.
And don’t underestimate shade.
“People often think sunscreen is enough, but it works best when it’s part of a bigger sun-safety plan,” Dr. Hussain says. “Shade, clothing and timing your outdoor activities can all make a difference.”
That’s especially true between late morning and mid-afternoon, when the sun’s rays are strongest.
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Here’s when it’s time to see a doctor
A mild sunburn may improve with home care.
But call your doctor if you have severe blistering, blisters on the face, hands or genitals, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, worsening pain or signs of infection.
And if someone is confused, extremely weak, fainting or showing signs of heat stroke, seek emergency care right away.
