Overview

• Post By : Kumar Jeetendra


• Source:


• Date: 14 Apr,2025

Have you ever spent an exhausting day outside under the sun and later on realized your skin looks reddish, feels hot, and is painful to touch? It may look like the usual sunburn but the moment you notice blisters forming or start feeling dizzy and nauseous, then those indications may suggest something worse – sun poisoning.

Both conditions arise from being exposed too much to UV light but the main focus here is the distinctive features of each; their unique symptoms, severity, and treatment.

What is Sunburn?

Day-to-day, people looking to spend some time in the sun experience mild skin burns resulting from excessive exposure to sun light uv rays is very common. This is especially the case when one fails to protect themselves from the harshest sunlight of the day.

Some defining traits of sunburned individuals include:

-Pink skin or red in color -Pain or tenderness, but mild to moderate -Warmth on the afflicted face -A few days later they can peel or flake -Some itching or dryness is also possible

Sunburn ensures you will be finished healing within the week, and all it takes is some nurturing. Using cool compresses, soothing creams, and proper hydration eases the pain to a great extent.

What Is Sun Poisoning?

If you feel that your body is sensitive to the sun from the moment you go outside, it is seemingly possible you are suffering from sun poisoning; this is a condition showing if one has a hypersensitivity to proper amounts of sunlight.

Overexposure of sun without any intervening can lead to very severe and high levels of pain. Which means sun poisoning, is the most appropriate way of describing this phenomenon. Regardless of the name used, this increases the severity of one’s condition and surely indicates an even more brutal sunburn.

Symptoms include, but are not limited to, the following, going beyond the extent of sunburn symptoms:

1. Deep swelling and redness
2. Very painful blisters on the skin surface
3. Fainting and feeling of confusion
4. Nausea and vomiting
5. Dizziness along with headache
6. Fever in addition to chills
7. Dehydrated and Exhausted
8. In some severe scenarios, confusion or fainting.

Rest and lotion will often be inadequate—the aforementioned symptoms seem to point toward a condition that requires more intensive care and attention, especially when the signs worsen.

The Easiest Strategy, How to Tell the Difference

In contrast to sun poisoning, virtually every sign associated with sunburn stems from the skin’s outer area. Sunburn feels like a stabbing, or itching. However, with sun poisoning, there is a body wide feeling of sluggishness. Overall discomfort is what affects someone, needing rest. The feeling of being sick is prevalent, and fever, nausea, headache, and dizziness are also likely to follow during the duration.

On the other hand, plagues more common and caused by sun poisoning indicate severe, deeper damage beneath the surface blisters.

Who is Most Vulnerable?

Although everyone is prone to getting sunburnt or suffering from sun poisoning, the following automatically come into a greater risk:

1. The fair-skinned population
2. Those on certain types of medications that heighten sensitivity to the sun, such as antibiotics or diuretics
3. People working outdoors or traveling to places at high altitudes
4. Patients suffering from specific autoimmune diseases
5. Treatment Advice
6. Recommended for Sunburn
7. Put on aloe vera or after-sun lotions available at the drug store
8. Soak in a cool bath or place a cold compress on the body
9. Rest and drink plenty of fluids
10. No further sun should be taken until full healing is achieved
11. Wear clothing that permits airflow
12. Recommended for Sun Poisoning
13. Rest under the shade immediately
14. Drink fluids, especially electrolyte-rich beverages
15. Place cold compresses to relieve swelling
16. Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to treat fever and pain

If symptoms of extreme tiredness, confusion, or vomiting occur, medical attention should be sorted immediately.

Prevention is Crucial

1. The best method to avoid getting sunburnt or suffering from sun poisoning is to take preventative measures.
2. Apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) at least every 2 hours, especially when sweating or swimming.
3. Wear UV protective clothing like wide brim hats and sunglasses.
4. Avoid direct sunlight between 10 AM to 4 PM.
5. Drink water frequently to remain hydrated, especially during high temperatures.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to differentiate between sun poisoning and sunburn can assist you in acting in an appropriate manner as both are a result of sun exposure, but sun poisoning is more severe and affects the whole body.

It’s critical to tend to the symptoms right away, and when in doubt lean toward being overly cautious. You will be able to maintain your skin health as well as your health.