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

Key Takeaways

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 theSkin Cancer Foundation, having five or more sunburns in your lifetime more than doubles your risk formelanoma, 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?

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, MD, associate 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:

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?

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.”

The Best Sunburn Relief Gels and Lotions To Soothe Inflamed Skin

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:

What This Means For You

3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Holman DM, Ragan KR, Julian AK, Perna FM.The context of sunburn among U.S. adults: common activities and sun protection behaviors.Am J Prev Med. 2021;60(5):e213-e220. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2020.12.011MedlinePlus.Sunburn.Harvard Medical School.Sun poisoning symptoms: signs you’ve had too much sun.

3 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Holman DM, Ragan KR, Julian AK, Perna FM.The context of sunburn among U.S. adults: common activities and sun protection behaviors.Am J Prev Med. 2021;60(5):e213-e220. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2020.12.011MedlinePlus.Sunburn.Harvard Medical School.Sun poisoning symptoms: signs you’ve had too much sun.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Holman DM, Ragan KR, Julian AK, Perna FM.The context of sunburn among U.S. adults: common activities and sun protection behaviors.Am J Prev Med. 2021;60(5):e213-e220. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2020.12.011MedlinePlus.Sunburn.Harvard Medical School.Sun poisoning symptoms: signs you’ve had too much sun.

Holman DM, Ragan KR, Julian AK, Perna FM.The context of sunburn among U.S. adults: common activities and sun protection behaviors.Am J Prev Med. 2021;60(5):e213-e220. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2020.12.011

MedlinePlus.Sunburn.

Harvard Medical School.Sun poisoning symptoms: signs you’ve had too much sun.

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?