WHEN YOU SPEND time in the sun, you know you need to apply (and reapply) sunscreen, drink lots of water, and take breaks in the shade. But it’s easy to get distracted hanging out outdoors with your friends and neglect these sun-protection habits. And, that can lead to a serious sunburn—or, worse, it can cause sun poisoning. “Sun poisoning is basically a really severe presentation of a sunburn,” explains Ife Rodney, M.D., a dermatologist and founder of Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetics in Fulton, Maryland. “If you have a really bad sunburn, you can get systemic symptoms like fever, chills, headache, dizziness, and nausea.”The term “poisoning” is a bit deceiving, as the sun isn’t exactly “poisoning” you, says Steven Rasmussen, M.D., a dermatologist at Austin Regional Clinic in Austin, Texas.“When sun poisoning occurs, the injury to the skin due to the sun’s radiation causes intense inflammation in the skin that results in a more generalized inflammatory reaction in the whole body,” he explains. Some people with specific skin types are more susceptible to sunburn and sun poisoning than others, Dr. Rodney says. The condition is usually preventable, and there are several ways to treat it. However, unlike a bad sunburn, sun poisoning may require immediate medical attention, and you may land in your local urgent care or emergency room.Here’s what you need to know about sun poisoning, including the symptoms, what to do if you get it, and when to seek medical attention.What exactly is sun poisoning? Sun poisoning is a… Click below to read the full story from Men’s Health
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