Markethealthbeauty.com | Sun Poisoning: Definition, Types, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment – Is sun exposure good for health? Sun exposure actually has good benefits for health, especially for those who have vitamin D deficiency. But, You certainly know the importance of keeping the skin out of the sun by always using sunscreen.
The use of sunscreen can also help in preventing the risk of skin cancer.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone use sunscreen with the following criteria:
- Provides protection from UVA and UVB rays
- SPF 30 or higher
- Waterproof
However, there are also conditions in which a person can experience sun poisoning. This condition can occur in a handful of people, where abnormal immune reactions occur when exposed to the sun.
What is Sun Poisoning?
Sun poisoning, also known as photodermatitis, is an excessive itching, scaly, redness of the skin when exposed to sunlight and excessive ultraviolet light A (UVA) or B (UVB). The condition takes a few days or longer to subside.
Intensive and repeated expose to sunlight results in burning skin and increases the risk of other skin damage and certain diseases.
Reddish skin is one of the sun poisoning symptoms. Basically, sun poisoning is the same as sunburn.
These conditions include dry or wrinkled skin, black spots, rough spots, and skin cancers, such as melanoma.
Sunburn is the skin redness and inflammation due to too much exposure to sunlight, this can happen to anyone. However, sun poisoning is a type of rash that only some people experience, due to abnormal immune reactions to the sun
The difference is that sun poisoning shows more severe symptoms such as dry or wrinkled skin and black and rough spots.
Sun Poisoning Types
Sun poisoning consists of several types with different symptoms as discussed below.
Solar Urticaria
Common symptoms are red and itchy looking skin. In addition, small bumps were also found on areas of the skin that were exposed to sunlight. This lump looks like an allergy. Other symptoms that can also be found are dizziness, wheezing, and fainting.
Polymorphous Light Eruption
This sun poisoning has severe symptoms where red patches and bumps rise on the affected area of the skin. Symptoms are also more severe than those in solar urticaria. The lumps are usually found in the chest, lower legs, and arms.
Inherited Polymorphous Light Eruption
In this sun poisoning type, apart from the above symptoms, sufferers will usually also experience severe headaches and chills. Sufferers may also feel very very tired.
Sun Poisoning Symptoms
Symptoms include red and dry skin. The condition also has blisters and a wavy rash. The rash may be painful or itchy.
Long-term effects are thickening of the skin and the presence of scars as well as an increased risk of skin cancer.
There may be signs and symptoms not mentioned above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.
Sun Poisoning Causes
The risk of exposure to sun poisoning can increase, especially for those who:
- Has white skin
- Have kinsman or family who has skin cancer
- Taking antibiotics
- Taking oral contraceptives
- Taking certain plant-based supplements, for example, St. John’s wort
- Suffer from eczema or lupus, which makes the skin more sensitive to light
- Apply orange oil to the skin before exposure to sunlight
- Lives in an area close to the equator
- Located at high elevation, such as highland areas
- Often to the beach because the sun’s rays reflects more light into the water and sand.
- Uses alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) such as chemical srcrub.
Sun Poisoning Treatment
There are several studies that reveal that aspirin and creams or cortisone ointments (one percent) can help to reduce pain.
But if your skin blisters accompanied by pain or fatigue, you should visit the dermatologist as soon as possible.
If the pain can be tolerated, you can compress the burned part with water or cold milk, rehydrate your body by drinking electrolyte fluids and using non-allergic and non fragrance moisturizing lotions, especially in burns
