Treating Sun Poisoning
For severe sunburn, these simple remedies usually do the trick:
- Get out of the sun.
- Take a cool (not cold) shower or bath or apply cool compresses.
- Drink extra fluids for a few days.
- Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain.
- Use aloe gel or another moisturizer.
- Completely cover sunburned areas when going outside.
Seek immediate medical care for these symptoms:
- A sunburn that forms blisters, covers a large area, or is very painful
- Facial swelling
- Fever and chills
- Upset stomach
- Headache, confusion, or faintness
- Signs of dehydration
Treatment for PMLE depends on its severity. Other than staying out of the sun and protecting yourself when you are, you may not need treatment. The rash can clear by itself within seven to 10 days. For solar urticaria, antihistamines are effective in some cases.
Other treatment or prevention for either type of reaction may include:
- Topical corticosteroids
- Sunscreen with both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA) protection
- Phototherapy with psoralen UV light (PUVA) to desensitize skin to UV light
- Low-dose antimalarials (for PMLE)
If you are on medications, check with your doctor to see if any might be making your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Here are examples of drugs that might do that:
- Acne medications
- Antibiotics
- Antidepressants
- Diuretics
- Heart drugs
- Birth control pills
- Topical antibacterials, fragrances, or antifungals
Preventing Sun Poisoning
Don’t forget the basics of sun safety. Apply sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 to all exposed areas of skin. Make sure it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Do this15 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply about every two hours.
Limit exposure during the hottest hours of the day — between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. And remember that water, snow, and sand can intensify damaging rays of the sun. Finally, make sunglasses, a hat, and protective clothing standard sun gear.
