Sun Poisoning: Symptoms, Treatment, and When to Visit the Doctor in Sarasota, FL

The term "Sun Poisoning" is often used to describe a severe case of sunburn that requires medical attention. It's not true poisoning, but an intense inflammatory reaction to UV radiation that results in symptoms far beyond typical redness. Knowing what sun poisoning is can help you get the right treatment.

As your trusted Internal Medicine and Family Practice provider in Sarasota, FL, Center One Medical offers prompt diagnosis and effective Sun Poisoning Treatment Sarasota. We help manage your symptoms, prevent complications, and get you feeling better fast.

What is "Sun Poisoning"?

"Sun Poisoning" generally refers to one of two conditions, both requiring urgent care:

1. Severe Sunburn (Solar Erythema)

This is an intense, blistering, second-degree burn caused by prolonged, unprotected exposure to UVA and UVB rays. The reaction is systemic, meaning it affects the entire body, not just the skin surface.

2. Polymorphous Light Eruption (PMLE)

This is a common type of photoallergic reaction where the immune system overreacts to sun exposure, causing a rash, hives, or small bumps. While less severe than blistering, it still needs treatment to relieve strong itching and discomfort.

Recognizing the Symptoms: What Does Sun Poisoning Look Like?

A regular sunburn makes your skin red and a little sore. Sun poisoning symptoms, however, involve systemic issues that signal a need for professional medical intervention. Knowing what sun poisoning looks like helps you get help quickly.

• Severe Skin Reaction: Very red skin, a lot of swelling, or big, painful blisters on the area that was exposed to the sun.

• Systemic Illness: You may have a fever, chills, or feel sick to your stomach, or throw up.

• Dehydration: Headaches, extreme thirst, dizziness, and fatigue are caused by the body pushing fluid to the inflamed skin surface.

• Pain: Throbbing, intense pain, or a sensation of prickling/burning that is not relieved by over-the-counter medication.

Sun Poisoning Treatment at Center One Medical

Since the risk of dehydration and infection is high with severe sunburn, our treatment plan addresses how to treat sun poisoning effectively by focusing on stabilization and reducing inflammation:

1. Hydration Management: Because sun poisoning can cause you to lose a lot of fluids, we often use IV Hydration Therapy to quickly replace lost fluids and electrolytes. This helps reduce headache, dizziness, and tiredness.

2. Anti-Inflammatory Treatment: We administer prescription-strength topical steroids or oral corticosteroids to quickly reduce the massive inflammatory response in the skin and system.

3. Pain Management: We provide guidance and prescription pain relievers to manage the intense pain associated with second-degree burns.

4. Infection Prevention: If large blisters have ruptured, we clean and dress the area and may prescribe topical or oral antibiotics to prevent secondary bacterial infection.

When to Seek Medical Attention Immediately

If you have a mild sunburn, you can treat it at home. But if you notice any of the following, call Center One Medical for urgent care or go to the Emergency Room:

• Blisters: Large, widespread blisters covering more than 20% of the skin.

• Signs of Heatstroke: Feeling confused, having a high fever (over 103°F), or fainting.

• Severe Dehydration: You can't keep any liquids down because you are vomiting.

• Intense Pain: Pain that doesn't get better with over-the-counter pain medicine.

Remember, severe sun exposure can damage your skin's natural protection. As your Sarasota medical team, we are ready to give you the care you need to recover quickly.

Conclusion

If you have a serious burn and start to feel sick with symptoms like fever or dizziness, you should see a doctor to control swelling and avoid problems. Our team at Center One Medical in Sarasota, FL, can give you the Sun Poisoning Treatment Sarasota you need.

Don’t let a bad burn keep you down! If you have signs of sun poisoning, contact us and schedule a consultation for a quick diagnosis and treatment.

FAQs

1. Can I treat sun poisoning at home?

• If you only have redness and no fever or vomiting, you can use cool compresses and moisturizing creams at home. But if you get blisters, fever, chills, or feel dizzy, you should see a doctor because you might need help with dehydration and inflammation.

2. How long does sun poisoning last?

• If you get medical help, the most serious symptoms, like fever and nausea, usually get better in 1 to 2 days. However, it can take a few weeks for your skin to fully heal if you have bad blisters. How long sun poisoning lasts depends on how bad it is and how quickly you get treatment.

3. Does sun poisoning make you contagious?

• No. "Sun poisoning" is an inflammatory burn or allergic reaction to UV light, not an infection. You cannot catch it from others.

4. Can I get sun poisoning through glass or clouds?

• Yes. UV rays, especially UVA, can go through clouds and glass. This means you can get serious sunburns even on cloudy days or when you are inside a car.

5. Is IV hydration therapy recommended for severe sunburn?

• Yes. Severe sunburn moves a lot of fluid to your skin, which can make your whole body dehydrated. IV hydration is usually the quickest and best way to replace lost fluids and electrolytes, helping with headaches and dizziness fast.