How Are Sunburn and Sun Poisoning Different?

Sunburn occurs when the skin is damaged from too much exposure to the sun without proper skin protection. Sun poisoning is a combination of sunburn, overheating, and insufficient fluid intake (dehydration).

Sun poisoning, which includes sunburn symptoms and others, may occur after a sunburn.

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Signs of Sunburn vs. Sun Poisoning

The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays that can damage skin and tissue, resulting in sunburn or sun poisoning. Below are the symptoms of both.

Sunburn

Skin appears darker or red (depending on skin tone)
Skin swelling
Skin is tender to the touch
Skin is sensitive to cold or hot
Skin blisters or peels (in severe cases)

Sun Poisoning

Sunburn symptoms
Fatigue or sleepiness
Nausea and/or vomiting
Fever
Vertigo or dizziness

Who Is At Risk for Sunburn or Sun Poisoning?

People with lighter skin tones are at a greater risk of sunburn and sun poisoning. However, people with darker skin tones are not immune to skin damage and complications of prolonged sun exposure and should take precautions to avoid sunburn and sun poisoning.

Additional risk factors for sun poisoning include:

Fair skin or red, blond, or light brown hair
Drinking alcohol, since it tends to dehydrate the body
High altitudes or locations where the ozone layer is depleted, which allows more UV rays to penetrate the skin
Prior history of skin cancer treatment or a family member who has been diagnosed with skin cancer
Spending most of the day outdoors without proper skin protection

Having awareness of risk factors can help prevent both sunburn and sun poisoning.

Medications and Supplements May Increase Your Risk

Certain medications and herbal supplements can make your skin more prone to sunburn. Examples include:

Acne treatments, such as retinoids
Antibiotics such as doxycycline or tetracycline
Fluoroquinolones
Herbs and supplements such as St. John’s wort and niacin
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen
Sulfonamides
Thiazide diuretics

How to Prevent Sunburn and Sun Poisoning

There are ways to prevent sunburn and sun poisoning:

Wear sunscreen rated with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and apply liberally, including your nose, ears, neck, feet, hands, and lips.
Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours or more often with excessive sweating or after swimming.
Wear clothing with SPF protection.
Protect your eyes by using a wide-brimmed hat or sunglasses with UV protection.

Additional prevention for sun poisoning includes:

Consider limiting exercise or other intense physical activity when the sun is at its peak
Drink extra water
Seek shade or a cool place out of the sun
Wear loose-fitting clothing

How to Treat a Sunburn or Sun Poisoning

Sunburn generally can be treated with some first aid:

Apply cool cloths to the sunburned areas
Avoid further sun exposure until the skin heals
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration
Use Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) to help decrease pain and inflammation
Use a moisturizer on the skin, such as aloe or 1% hydrocortisone cream
If the skin blisters, avoid opening the blisters and cover the skin lightly with gauze to prevent infection.

For sun poisoning, consider additional treatment options:

Drink plenty of liquids slowly to prevent vomiting
Keep the skin away from direct and indirect sunlight
If a fever develops, consider taking a cool bath.
If symptoms worsen, consider placing cool packs in the armpits, neck, groin, wrists, and ankles to cool down.

Knowing some basic treatments for sunburns and sun poisoning can help prevent worsening symptoms, but when in doubt, seek emergency medical care.

When to Get Help

Sunburn and sun poisoning can usually be treated with first aid, but if any of the following symptoms develop, seek urgent medical attention:

A fever higher than 101.0 degrees Fahrenheit
Dehydration from inability to drink enough fluids due to nausea and/or vomiting
Pain that is unrelieved with Tylenol or Advil
Severe sunburns that cover more than 15% of the skin
The skin is pale
The heartbeat is very fast
The person is confused or loses consciousness