How to Treat Sun Poisoning: 7 Things You Should Do

Symptoms of Sun Poisoning

Whether you call it a sunburn or sun poisoning, the symptoms remain the same according to Health.com:

• Redness
• Blistering
• Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, or nausea
• Rash
• Skin peeling
• Pain where the skin was exposed to the sun's UV rays

Home remedies for Sun Poisoning

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is commonly used to relieve sun poisoning symptoms and help promote skin healing, according to Healthline. You can usually find aloe vera in the medication aisle of your grocery store, or at a retail pharmacy such as Walgreens or CVS.

2. Hydration & Moisturization

Hydration and moisturization are both very important for your recovery from sun poisoning, according to Healthline. They recommend that you drink water or sports drinks, and apply a moisturizer to your skin several times a day. They also note that you should use a fragrance-free moisturizer or a moisturizer that is formulated for sensitive skin.

3. Baking Soda or Oatmeal Bath

Oatmeal and baking soda are both known to help soothe skin irritation, including sun poisoning, according to Healthline. They recommend adding 1 cup of Oatmeal or 1 cup of baking soda to a lukewarm bath.

4. Take a Cool Bath or Use Ice Packs

Staying in a cooler environment can help when dealing with sun poisoning, according to Healthline. They recommend dipping into cool water whenever possible—especially if you are spending time outside.

5. Vinegar

There are mixed options for the use of vinegar for sun poisoning, according to Healthline. Some say it's a great way to relieve skin irritation associated with sun poisoning, and others believe it could make symptoms worse. If you want to try it, they recommend that you add two cups of vinegar to a cool bath.

6. Loose Clothing

Clothing can be uncomfortable on irritated skin when you have sun poisoning. Healthline recommends wearing loose clothing as much as possible to reduce the amount of friction against the skin.

7. Camomile Tea

Camomile tea can be soothing for both your inside and outside, according to Healthline. They recommend that you soak a washcloth in camomile tea and then apply it to your sunburned skin.

When to see a Doctor for Sun Poisoning

Sun poisoning is also known as a sunburn, according to Healthline. They note that you should see a doctor if you have a fever along with a sunburn, or if you have signs of shock, dehydration, or heat exhaustion. Some symptoms of these conditions include:

• feeling faint
• rapid pulse
• extreme thirst
• no urine output
• nausea or vomiting
• chills
• blisters that cover a large portion of your body
• confusion
• signs of an infection in the blisters, such as pus, swelling, and tenderness

How to Prevent Sun Poisoning

Sun poisoning can be prevented by protecting your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun, according to Healthline. Healthline recommends using the following to protect yourself:

• Sunscreen
• Hats
• Sunglasses
• Sun-protective clothing

Summary

Sun poisoning is another way of describing a severe sunburn. You can prevent it by taking steps to protect yourself from the sun—like applying and reapplying sunscreen as directed and staying in the shade as much as possible. If you do have sun poisoning, you can do the following to help ease your symptoms:

1. Use aloe vera on your sunburned skin
2. Stay hydrated and keep your skin moisturized
3. Take a cool bath—adding oatmeal or baking soda if you wish
4. Wearing loose-fitting clothing
5. Using washcloths soaked in chamomile tea on your sunburn

Go to the doctor if you have symptoms of heat exhaustion or develop a fever with your sunburn.