Sun Poisoning Rash


What is Sun Poisoning Rash?

When excessive exposure of the skin to the harmful UV rays of the sun causes an allergic reaction in the form of development of itchy skin rash and the reddening of the skin, one may be said to suffer from Sun Poisoning Rash. Skin rashes from the sun may medically be termed as solar dermatitis or Photo dermatitis.

Picture 1 – Sun Poisoning Rash
Source – prime health channel

Sun poisoning rash is actually a type of sunburn and is mostly visible in people who boast of fair skin. The root cause behind the specific effect on the fair skinned people is the lack of melanin in their skin, which is the pigment responsible for protecting the skin from harmful UV radiations. Sun poisoning rash from tanning bed is also quite common.  In fact, such allergies like sun poisoning blisters or sun poisoning rashes are the reactionary methods of repairment of the skin damage caused due to the sun rays. However, sun skin rash may actually turn out to be severe causing severe skin damage.

Sun Poisoning Rash Symptoms

There are a number of symptoms of sun poisoning rash, the first and the foremost one being the appearance of small red itchy bumps on the surface of the skin. Exposure for even a few minutes to the sun rays may give rise to sun poisoning blisters. All of which develop to form sun poisoning rashes when the skin tries to repair the damaged part automatically. In case of mild sun poisoning rash, the symptoms are just normal sunburn but in case of severe sun poisoning rash, other symptoms such as headache, severe reeling, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, mild or high fever accompanied with chills. The symptoms for sun poisoning rash also include tenderness and itching of the area affected, formation of pus filled blisters, and pain.

Sun Poisoning Rash Causes

Sun poisoning rash is actually an allergic reaction to sun exposure. The Ultraviolet rays of the sun are extremely powerful and prolonged exposure to the same may just not cause several skin diseases but also bears the potential to inflict extreme harm to the body as a whole.

The lack of pigmentation called melanin in fair-skinned people to protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun is also a significant cause for photodermatits.

Moreover, rashes quite similar to sun poisoning rash may also occur due to the side-effects of certain drugs such as hexachlorophene, thisazide diuretics, etc. Such drugs actually increase the sensitivity of the skin to make it more it more hyperactive and cause further damage to the skin.

Sun Poisoning Rash Diagnosis

Sun poisoning rash is diagnosed by simple observation by a health expert or a doctor. Seeing the extent of the rashes and blisters can one gauge the nature of the sun poisoning problems and prescribe medications for the fast and effective healing of the rashes.

Pictures of Sun Poisoning Rash

Check out the sun poisoning rash pictures to know more about the disease.

Picture 2 – Sun Poisoning Rash Image
Source – tandurust

Picture 3 – Sun Poisoning Rash Photo
Source – prime health channel

Sun Poisoning Rash Treatment

For those who have been affected by sun poisoning rash and want to know as to how to treat sun poisoning rash must be acquainted with the fact that one needs to clear out the latent heat out of the body and hydrate it in order to keep it cool. The treatment for sun poisoning rash can be undertaken by a variety of methods.

The most common being taking bath in normal water at least thrice a day as it helps in reducing the abnormal temperature of the body. One must also avoid using hard soaps as it complicates the rashes from skin exposure and instead use anti-bacterial soaps for the better. After the bath, one must rub the affected area with a clean and soft towel. One must also wear soft cotton clothes as clothes made of other material may aggravate the condition.

The other natural remedies for sun poisoning rash include the application of a paste of baking soda and water on the affected area as it provides relief from sun poisoning rash pain. Moreover, to deal with sun poisoning rash itches, calamine solution is mostly recommended.

A cold compress with cold water and milk for over 20 minutes per session also proves quite beneficial for sun poisoning symptoms. Peels of potato mixed in a cold solution of Aloe Vera and hydrocortisone cream will help in cooling the body and prevent itching to take place.

Sponging the affected area with chamomiles dipped in water also helps in treating sun poisoning rash in a fast and easy way. Even simply soaking the affected rashes with the help of a cotton ball dipped in milk or water for at least 15-20 minutes also are also other cures for sun poisoning.

One of the best ways to keep off the harmful effects of sun poisoning is to take in fluids in plenty such as fruit juices and of course water. Fluids or for that matter water helps in the effective hydration of the body and prevents the occurrence of sun poisoning rashes and other symptoms associated with sunburns. In fact, green tea is considered to be rich source which helps in the prevention of sun poisoning rash.

Antioxidants or food rich in Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Vitamin E such as spinach, beans, tomatoes, broccoli, berries, carrots, soy and whole grains, and other vegetables help in just not preventing the occurrence of skin poisoning rash but also facilitate the treatment for the same.

Besides these natural methods of treating sun poisoning rash, one may also treat it by going for anti-itching medications such as oral drugs, steroids, topical ointments, etc whose use is subject to doctor’s prescription. But severe sun poisoning rash cases may require hospitalization wherein one is administered intravenous fluids and given steroids to reduce the inflammation of the rash.

It must be taken into account for those who suffer from sun poisoning rash that the longevity of the rashes depends on the sensitivity of one’s skin and the extent of damage caused by exposure to harmful UV rays as well the kind and quality of treatment one undergoes. Usually, sun poisoning blisters or rashes lasts for a few hours to even weeks. In extremely rare cases can the symptoms last for a month. It may heal within a few days or weeks with an effective treatment prescribed by a dermatologist.


References
Wikipedia
www.healthy-skincare.com
www.prime health channel.com

3 Comments

  1. jo May 17, 2011
  2. kelly rigby May 22, 2012
  3. mandy July 3, 2012

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