Category Archives: Sun Prevention

Treatment for Sun Poisoning or Severe Sunburn

You’re at the beach, enjoying the salty breeze, crisp air, and beaming sun. With all of the excitement, sunscreen becomes a thought long forgotten, whisked away by the glory of summer. Hours pass and you notice that your skin is highly irritated, blotchy, and red. Your arms, legs, and face are stinging. The misuse of sunscreen launches its way back into the forefront of your mind and you begin to regret that long stretch of time spent in the blazing sun.

Researchers and scientists often term severe sunburn as sun poisoning. This is usually a burn from ultraviolet (UV) radiation that inflames your skin. When the skin is exposed to too much UV radiation from the sun or artificial sources like sunlamps, sunburn can occur. Sunburn can be easily prevented however; with the use of sunscreen or simply by avoiding long periods of time in the sun and/or artificial sources. Of course for many it’s already too late for that.  So, it is important that you get treatment for sun poisoning or severe sun burn and possibly skin testing for even more serious conditions including skin cancer.

Sunburn Facts:

  • According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 42% of people get a sunburn at least once a year.
  • All it takes is approximately 15 minutes to become sunburned. But the signs of sunburned skin might not show immediately–it could take hours until the redness and discomfort introduces themselves.
  • If you stay in the sun for long periods of time without sun protection, have light skin, and fair hair, you’re more likely to sunburn.

Treating Sun Poisoning or Severe Sunburn

To easily remedy severe sunburn:

  • Say “NO” to further sun exposure.Sunburn treatment and Skin Testing
  • Cool your skin off!: Take a cool bath or shower or apply cool wraps or compresses.The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommend keeping cool compresses on affected areas for 10-1
    • 5 minutes a few times every day.
  • Kick up the fluid intake for a week or so. Water is preferred!
  • Pain relievers will do just that! Ibuprofen are recommended.
    • Hydrocortisone cream (0.5-1%) reduces pain and swelling while speeding up the recovery process.
  • Use moisturizer on sunburned skin. Aloe gel is really effective for healing, protecting, and rejuvenating skin.
    • Try to avoid petroleum based products. Petroleum traps heat in the skin!
  • If you must go outside, make sure your skin is covered and protected!

Symptoms of Sun Poisoning or Severe Sunburn

Seek medical attention if:

  • Your sunburn forms painful blisters, peeling, or covers a vast area of your body
    • Resist breaking your blisters: Open blisters slow the skin’s healing process and increase the risk of infection. If a blister accidentally breaks, be sure to clean the area gently with water and soap, applying antibacterial cream to protect the area with a wet dressing and/or gauze.
  • Your face is swelling
  • You’re experiencing a fever and chills
  • Your stomach is upset or bothered
  • You’re experiencing headaches, confusion, or faintness
  • Signs of dehydration are evident

Skin Testing

If your sunburn leaves behind skin abnormalities like; blisters, rashes, hives and itching, it would probably be a good idea to have your skin tested. Skin testing is done to evaluate skin irregularities that are caused by overexposure to sunlight. There are several physical and equipment methods used in testing the skin. One of our physicians in Livonia or Westland will perform tests after first physically examining the affected areas.

Risks and Complications

  • A positive reaction to skin testing may result in pain, blisters, itching, redness at the tested sites, skin pigment change, infection or scarring. However, it should be noted, that side effects are rare.
    • If you have a positive skin reaction, your doctor will try to diagnose the cause of your disorder based on your history, symptoms, and results of other tests.
  • If the test results are negative, the doctor may suggest more tests to determine the origin of the problem.

Getting the right medical treatment and skin testing is important if your skin has been highly exposed to the sun. At the Millennium Medical Health Clinics in Westland and Livonia Michigan, we care about your health and sun safety. If you have any questions regarding sun exposure, treating sunburns, or doing skin testings, please feel free to contact us.

Warning: Heat Exhaustion and Heat Strokes

Ever been exposed to high temperatures to the point where you feel dehydrated? Horrible feeling, isn’t it? Heat exhaustion is no fun. You aren’t able to partake in events, activities, and other things because of the overpowering heat from the sun. Typically, for this illness, there is two types of heat exhaustion: salt depletion and water depletion. Salt depletion can include anything from dizziness and nausea to vomiting and muscle cramps. On the other hand, water depletion includes headaches, weaknesses, loss of consciousness, and excessive thirst.

Heat Exhaustion Symptoms

The most common symptoms for heat exhaustion are:

  • Pale skinHeat Exhaustion
  • Headache
  • Dizziness/fainting
  • Confusion
  • Diarrhea
  • Dehydration
  • Fatigue
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea

If you or anyone else are experiencing these symptoms, find the nearest cool/shady area possible. Taking a cool shower or bath, drinking lots of water, turning on fans or air conditioning, and removing unnecessary clothing are ways to help treat heat exhaustion. Even though heat exhaustion isn’t as bad as a heat stroke, it still isn’t something to be taken so lightly so if these symptoms progress, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. To make a follow-up checkup appointment please call our Westland Clinic at 734.728.2130.

Heat Stroke

Heat strokes are considered very serious. If you or someone you know are having a heat stroke, calling 911 is recommended. Not only can heat strokes be dangerous, but they can also cause a lot of damage to other organs and to the brain. Normally, people over the age of 50 are prone to getting heat strokes, but it can also take a toll on young adults. A heat stroke is a combination of dehydration and being exposed to high temperatures.

Heat Stroke Symptoms:

  • Nausea
  • Seizures
  • Coma
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Fainting
  • Heat cramps
  • Dizziness
  • Dry, red, and hot skin
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Headache
  • Body temperature above 105 degrees Fahrenheit

It’s always a nice feeling to be outside in the sun, but being severely exposed to the sun is not good nor healthy. By preventing harsh sun exposure and getting the proper sun protection, you can avoid illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat strokes. At Millennium Medical Group West our Westland Medical Center with professional staff and physicians can help with heat-related illness like heat exhaustion. Stay tuned for our next article on diagnostics and treatment of heat related illness.