Too Much Sun? Here’s How to Tell If You Have Sunburn or Sun Poisoning

Odds are, you probably know what a sunburn looks like and feels like, whether it’s from forgetting to apply sunscreen or spending too many hours soaking up the sun outdoors.

While sunburns are common—about a third of adults in the U.S. experience at least one sunburn annually—they’re also quite serious. According to the Skin Cancer Foundationhaving five or more sunburns in your lifetime more than doubles your risk for melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.

When sunburns are particularly severe, they can result in what’s known as sun poisoning. This can make you sick and can lead to blisters, painful red sores, and other health issues.

Here’s how to tell if you have a sunburn or sun poisoning, the symptoms to look out for, and expert-backed tips on preventing them this summer.

How Is a Sunburn Different From Sun Poisoning?

Sunburn and sun poisoning are both types of skin damage caused by overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. But they differ in severity and symptoms, Elizabeth Geddes-Bruce, MDa board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas, told Verywell in an email.

Sunburns usually aren’t too severe, but they can show up as red, painful, or sore skin that feels hot to the touch, along with swelling, dryness, and peeling while it’s healing, Geddes-Bruce said. In some cases, blisters may also form hours to days later.

Although sun poisoning can look similar to a sunburn, share similar symptoms, and feel just as tender to the touch, sun poisoning is actually “an extreme form of a sunburn,” said Geddes-Bruce. “We think of sunburns as a spectrum, and sun poisoning is at the far end of it.”

Sun poisoning may also cause more intense symptoms beyond the skin, including headache, dizziness, and nausea, Anisha Patel, MDassociate professor of Dermatology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, told Verywell in an email. Other symptoms include blisters, severe pain, swelling, fever or chills, dehydration, and even skin infections.

“A sunburn and sun poisoning can look the same, although the latter would be more intense, and you would usually experience swelling and blisters,” Patel said. “The key differences are the systemic symptoms,” including headache, dizziness, nausea, and rapid heartbeat.

How Do You Get Sun Poisoning and Who Is At Risk?

Sun poisoning occurs when your skin gets too much UV radiation from prolonged sun exposure without wearing or using protection like clothing, hats, sunscreen, or shade, Geddes-Bruce said. It can also occur if you aren’t adequately hydrated, Patel added.

According to Geddes-Bruce and Patel, those at risk for sun poisoning include:

• Those with fairer or lighter skin tones.
• Individuals who have recently experienced a sunburn and continue to spend time outdoors.
• Vulnerable populations, including babies and children, who have sensitive skin and may not be able to voice feeling discomfort or have the ability to seek shade on their own.
• People taking certain medications that increase the risk of sunburn, such as antibiotics, pain relievers, and certain blood pressure medications.
• Outdoor workers, especially those exposed during peak sun hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Individuals who spend time in the sun without applying sunscreen or wearing protective clothing.
• People who use indoor tanning beds.

Although certain individuals may be more prone to sunburns and sun poisoning, Patel said it’s important to understand that anyone, regardless of skin type, “can get burned or experience these severe effects.”

What Should You Do If You Have Sun Poisoning?

Most people who experience sunburn or have sun poisoning can manage their symptoms at home by staying hydrated, resting, avoiding further sun exposure, and managing any pain with over-the-counter pain relief medication, such as ibuprofen, Patel said.

Other self-treatment methods include applying cool compresses and cooling creams that help with barrier repair and prevent further moisture from leaving the skin, Geddes-Bruce said. “A commonly used one is aloe vera, and that can help the discomfort as well.”

If you have a high fever, any associated mental confusion, or signs of dehydration that don’t improve with drinking fluids and rest, Geddes-Bruce recommends seeking medical attention. You should also see a healthcare provider if you have blisters and symptoms like bright red, oozing skin, severe pain, fever, feeling extremely cold or shivering, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Your doctor can provide proper hydration and wound care, Geddes-Bruce said. They may prescribe medication to help manage symptoms, antibacterial wound cream, or oral antibiotics if you develop a skin infection. If you experience severe dehydration, they may also provide intravenous (IV) care, Patel added.

How to Prevent Sunburns and Sun Poisoning

According to Patel, the best way to prevent sunburns and sun poisoning is to avoid the sun or minimize the amount of time you spend in the sun, particularly during the hottest times of the day.

If you have to be outdoors, try these tips to protect yourself against sunburns and sun poisoning:

• Seek shade/limit time in direct sunlight: Avoid going outside or stay in the shade when the sun is at its hottest/peak times from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Wear protective clothing and equipment: Cover up with long-sleeved shirts, pants, and wide-brimmed hats to protect your skin from the sun. You’ll also want to protect your eyes by wearing a pair of sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection.
• Apply and reapply sunscreen throughout the day: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapply every two hours or more, if swimming or sweating.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration. Staying hydrated can help replace lost body fluids and replenish electrolytes and can also help your skin recover from sun exposure.
• Avoid tanning beds. Avoid using indoor tanning beds as these also emit harmful UV radiation that can be damaging to the skin.