How to Tell if You Have Sun Poisoning

You can tell if you have sun poisoning by evaluating your symptoms and considering the severity of your sunburn. While sun poisoning is not actually mean you’ve been poisoned, it does mean you have a severe sunburn that likely inflamed your skin. 

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How to Tell if You Have Sun Poisoning

You can tell if you have sun poisoning by looking at the symptoms you are experiencing. Severe sunburn or sun poisoning can cause symptoms such as the following:

• Skin redness and blistering
• Pain and tingling
• Swelling
• Headache
• Fever and chills
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Dehydration

The Cause of Sun Poisoning

You can become severely sunburned if you stay in the sun for a long time and don't wear protection. You are also more likely to sunburn if you have light skin and fair hair.

Certain medications and chemicals can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, making you more susceptible to sunburn and sun poisoning. If you have a sun allergy or an allergic reaction to sunlight and its UV rays (polymorphic light eruption), this is also known as sun poisoning. 

The following are risk factors for sun poisoning: 

• Exposure to certain substances. Some skin allergy symptoms are triggered when your skin is exposed to a substance and then to sunlight. Common substances responsible for this type of reaction include fragrances, disinfectants, and even some chemicals used in sunscreens.
• Taking certain medications. Several medications can make the skin sunburn more quickly, including tetracycline antibiotics, sulfa-based drugs, and pain relievers, such as ketoprofen.
• Having another skin condition. Having dermatitis increases your risk of having a sun allergy.
• Having blood relatives with a sun allergy. You're more likely to have a sun allergy if you have a sibling or parent with a sun allergy.