Sunlight reaches the Earth in the ultraviolet A and B wavelengths. Both types damage skin, but the American Academy of Dermatology says that UVA rays primarily cause premature skin aging and tanning, while UVB rays primarily cause sunburn. Exposure to sunlight that overwhelms the skin's defenses produces a sunburn. "Sun poisoning" is not a distinct condition but a severe case of sunburn that causes symptoms beyond the typical hot red skin, producing skin blisters, nausea, and fever and chills.
Cooling
A severe case of sunburn or "sun poisoning" affects a large area of the body. Skin will be red and hot to the touch, and painful with any movement or contact. A cool bath eases the pain and redness of severely sunburned skin, and in cases of sunburn with fever can bring down body temperature as well. When out of the tub, a cold compress or cold, wet washcloth can soothe the worst spots.
Topical Treatments
The Mayo Clinic recommends using gentle moisturizing creams, hydrocortisone creams or aloe vera to keep skin moist after the burn and through the period of skin peeling. storing the products in the refrigerator offers extra cooling relief--unless the label advises against it. Merck.com advises avoiding sunburn products that contain an anesthetic like benzocaine because they can further irritate the skin, and there is little evidence for their effectiveness.
Corticosteroids
Prescription systemic corticosteroids like prednisone treat burns from fires, speeding healing and reducing pain and swelling, but their use for severe sunburn is controversial, according to Merck.com. The Mayo Clinic says that they are not effective if given more than 24 to 48 hours after the burn, while the extent of a sunburn can take up to 24 hours to appear and 72 hours to peak, according to Merck.com.
Blister Care
Severe sunburn can produce raised, fluid-filled blisters. Popping the blisters lengthens healing time and increases the risk of infection. The Mayo Clinic recommends lightly covering blisters with gauze and using an anti-bacterial ointment if the blisters break spontaneously.
NSAIDs
Over-the-counter or prescription-strength non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs serve double duty in cases of severe sunburn by reducing pain and bringing down fever. Acetominophen, ibuprofen and naproxen can all help with the pain and fever of a severe sunburn.
Avoid the Sun
It is best to stay out of the sun to avoid worsening the symptoms; skin will be extra-sensitive to sunlight until the sunburn is completely healed.
Stay Hydrated
Sunburn robs the skin of moisture that must be replenished for it to heal. Drinking water can replenish what was lost to the sun. Good hydration after a severe sunburn can help the body cool itself, and slowly sipping cool water can fight off nausea as well.
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