Sunburn and Sun Poisoning (cont.)
What are the symptoms of sunburn?
- First, the skin becomes red, tender and hot.
- Touching or rubbing the skin
causes pain.
- Because heat triggers fluid loss, a sunburn victim can also become
dehydrated.
- For several days after exposure, the skin may swell, blister, and
peel. Some sufferers develop welts or rashes.
The symptoms of sunburn can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending mainly on
the following:
- The skin type of the person affected. (more detail to follow later in this
article)
- The time, length, location, and altitude of exposure.
- Medications the person has been taking (sun-sensitizing
drugs that may increase a person's susceptibility to sunburn).
- Skin preparations the person has been using.
Symptoms of severe sunburn (sun poisoning)
In severe cases of sunburn, the individual may experience (severe cases of
sunburn
require emergency treatment):
What first-aid measures should be taken with sunburn?
If symptoms of severe sunburn are present, the patient should contact their
primary healthcare provider, urgent care facility, or Emergency Department. While awaiting 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 of sunburn are mild or moderate, the patient 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:
- Apply dampened cloths or compresses to reduce the heat and lessen the pain;
- Soak in a bathtub of plain, soap-free water (soap can irritate the burn);
- Gently pat the skin dry afterward - do not rub it;
- Apply a soothing cream, lotion, or another preparation approved by a
physician or pharmacist;
- Note that some preparations, in particular those containing
benzocaine
(Endocaine, Hurricaine), can trigger an allergic reaction, and certain ointments can retard healing by sealing off the skin
from the air.
- If blistering occurs, apply a bandage to prevent infection;
- If the discomfort is significant, take a painkiller such as
acetaminophen (Tylenol and others)
or ibuprofen (Advil, Children's Advil/Motrin, Medipren, Motrin, Nuprin, PediaCare Fever, and others), and;
- Moisturizing measures with creams or Aloe Vera gel may also help with
symptoms of sunburn.
Next: Is there any medical treatment for sunburn? »
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