The sun is big and beautiful, but it’s also dangerous. It emits powerful ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can severely damage one’s skin, hair and body. Excessive exposure to harmful rays is linked to multiple diseases such as cancer. Heat from the sun can lead to heat-related illnesses that can be life-threatening.
Here are four common sun-related conditions and how to treat them:
A major sign of overexposure to UV rays is sunburn. It can range from mild to severe and is characterized by redness, tenderness and in some cases, blisters. Pain can last between six and 48 hours. Sunburn can cause permanent skin damage and increase risk of skin cancer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
To treat sunburn, take a cool shower or apply a cold compress to the affected area. Moisturize your skin with a non-petroleum or oil-based lotion or aloe vera. You may also take a pain reliver such as naproxen or ibuprofen. Drink plenty of water to rehydrate.
“Sun sickness” is also known as sun poisoning. While not a medical condition, sun poisoning is a term for an extreme case of sunburn that can cause internal and external symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Aside from blistering skin, a person may experience chills, headaches, nausea, dehydration and dizziness. The dizziness and nausea are from dehydration rather than the sunburn.
Like with sunburn, treat sun poisoning with a cold compress, oral steroids, lotions, topical antibiotics and drinking plenty of water. Talk to you primary care provider if the sunburn shows signs of infection such as bleeding or oozing.