Sun Poisoning vs. Sunburn: How to Tell the Difference

You meant to spend an hour outside. Then it turned into three. Now your skin is red, hot and painful and you’re wondering if this is just a bad sunburn, or something worse.

“Sunburn happens when ultraviolet rays damage the skin, but more severe cases can affect more than just the surface,” says Syed Hussain, MD, medical director of Hartford HealthCare Urgent Care. “That’s when people may start using the term sun poisoning.”

So how do you know what you’re dealing with?

Here’s how to tell the difference between sun poisoning and sunburn.

Key Takeaways

• Sun poisoning is not a formal medical diagnosis. It’s just a common term for a more severe sunburn that may also make you feel sick.
• A mild sunburn usually causes redness, warmth, tenderness, mild swelling and peeling, and can often be managed at home.
• Sun poisoning symptoms go beyond the skin and may include fever, chills, nausea, dizziness, fatigue or dehydration.
• Blisters are a sign of a more serious burn. Don’t pop them, and call a doctor if they cover a large area or appear on your face, hands or genitals.
• Get out of the sun right away, cool your skin, drink fluids and watch for symptoms that worsen over the next several hours.
• Seek medical help for severe blistering, fever, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, worsening pain, signs of infection or symptoms of heat stroke.

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