I’ts summer time.  With recreation and fun can also bring sunburn or sun poisoning.   What are symptoms of sunburn?

 Some of the immediate symptoms  of sunburn after exposure are the following:

First, the skin becomes red, tender and hot.

Touching or rubbing the skin causes pain.

Heat triggers fluid loss, a sunburn victim can also become dehydrated.

Several days after exposure, the skin may swell, blister, and peel. Some sufferers develop welts or rashes.

 More subtle exposures to the sun may not have any obvious immediate symptoms such as the ones listed above. People who have chronic exposure to sun can increase their chances of developing chronic skin damage from sun exposure( scarring wrinkles, skin cancer, freckles, aging etc.). 

The symptoms of sunburn can be mild, moderate or severe depending mainly on the following:

    1. The skin type of the person affected. ( fair, medium or dark)

    2. The time, duration, location and altitude of exposure.

    3Medications the person has been taking ( sun -sensitizing drugs that may increase a person’s susceptibility to sunburn).

    4. Skin preparations (sunscreen) pt has been using.

What are the symptoms of severe sunburn ( sun poisoning)?

In severe cases the person may expeirence:

    1. fever

    2. nausea

    3. chills

    4. dizziness

    5. rapid pulse

    6. rapid breathing

    7. dehydration

    8. shock with loss of consciousness, and/or

    9. severe blisters, soreness

These symptoms require emergency medical evaluation and treatment immediatley.

What first-aid measures should be taken with sunburn?

If symptoms of severe sunburn are present, the individual should contact their primary health care practitioner, urgent care facility or Emergency Room. While waiting for treatment, the affected person should NOT drink cold water, which can trigger chills. If compresses are applied, they should be dipped in cool or tepid water, NOT cold water.

If the symptoms are mild or moderate, the person  may drink plenty of water to replenish the fluid lost from the sunburn and to avoid dehydration. Those affected may then do any or all of the following.:

    1. Apply dampened cloths or compresses to reduce the heat and lessen the pain.

    2. Soak in a bathtub of plain, soap-free water (soap can irritate the burn)

    3. Gently pat the skin dry afterwrd-DO NOT rub it

    4. Apply a soothing cream, lotion, or another preparation approved by a healthcare provider or pharmacist

           Some preparations that contain benzocaine can trigger an allergic reaction in some individuals, and certain ointments

            can retard healing by sealing off the skin from the air.

   5. If blistering occurs, apply a bandage to prevent infection

   6. If  discomfort is significant, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

   7. Moisturizing measures with creams or Aloe Vera gel may also help with symptoms of sunburn.

Is a follow-up visit with a physician necessary?

A follow-up visit is only necessary if the sunburn was severe or sun poisoning. But every patient who has suffered a significant sunburn should report the incident to his or her provider so that the burn can become part of the patient’s medical history. Doing so will alert the provider, during future check-ups , to look closely for symptoms of skin cancer an other problems that sunburn can cause.