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i got a bad sun burn today. my whole body's red and i can't stop shaking. im freazing and don;t wanna take even my foot from out from under the covers. what is it???
it is your body's reaction to the burn...take your temperature, and some pain/fever reliever. Drink plenty of fluids...If your temperture is high and/or the pain fever reliever doesn't seem to help, a trip to the emergency room may be warranted...I am not a doctor, but know that sun burn can be serious. Please, if you feel too uncomfortable go to the emergency room.
Hi, I was at the beach yesterday all day with my boyfriend and his family. It was mostly cloudy all day but if I had known that I could have still gotten burned I would have put on sunblock. That was just my ignorance. Anyways, I woke up this morning and I already knew I had a sunburn, but I was really scared when I noticed blisters. It made me feel better reading your expertise. Your tips really helped me out. Thanks a lot! 
That happened to me when I was 18. A day at the beach, heavy dark clouds and lots of wind. I burned SO bad that I turned a weird shade of purple. I had to keep my legs elevated so they wouldn't sting and prickle like someone was stabbing me with thousands of needles. I got sick that night with vomiting, extreme fatigue and horrendous pain. When I woke up, I couldn't walk. My friends were astute enough to take me back home. That 4 hours drive was tee-total hell! It took me roughly 3 months to fully recover, but the evidence of that sunburn is still with me today in the form of massive freckling all over my legs, predominantly. I cannot stress enough how dangerous CLOUDY DAYS ARE!!! If you were going to experience what I did, you would know by now. I'm glad to know that you're just badly burned. Like me, you've learned a painful lesson. Spread the word, and I wish you a speedy recovery!
This is weak on treatment and long on avoidance, which is useless if you already have experienced sun poisoning. Needs to be expanded to include treatments, their expected efficiencies and whether there are other more effective methods available from a DR.
i had a severe reaction to the sun with spf 30 burts bee chemical free sunreen which is based on titan. and zinc. Reacted on my face only. md friend noticed my burn and said this was not a normal sunburn but it was sun pois. I said it did not seem normal b/c i never blistered just got real red and tender. I never truly peeled but 12 days laterI am still slightly red with slight rash. told it could be linked to autoimmune disease and i am hypothyroid.
the other day i got a really bad sunburn on my face, and on my nose i had blisters. i started to peel last night and now i feel terrible. i have a runny nose, a lot of sneezing, and i am drowsy. it's not my allergies because i took an allergy pill and i am still having these symptoms. what's wrong?
I spent a day in the sun on July 9th and on the 11th awoke with a severely puffy face, exactly as you described happened to you. Can you tell me about your experience? When did the swelling go down? Did you go to a doctor and did he offer any treatment that worked for you.
I'm desperate for some help with this.
I know how you feel, cause yesterday I was out in the sun for a long time. Maybe I stayed out there for 9 hours. I don,t have a doctor right now. But trust me I'm in pain ever where. When I woke up this morning , I was coughing , headache, and running a high fever.I took my allergies pill at 4:34 p.m. But it didn't work. You could feel steam coming off of me. My mom was worried about me. But I'm used to the pain. Anyways DON'T WORRY. DON'T THINK ABOUT THE PAIN, IT WILL GO AWAY SOON. Trust me,and I'm only 12 years old. The swelling went done 
at 9: 58 a.m.
good luck, honey. Hope it helps, honey.
LAB Georgia
Ten years ago I return home after swimming with my girls. That night my body burn, itch and sting as if bugs was on my body. My face, lips and eyes was swollen. For months I couldn't even sit on the porch in the shade without my skin stinging. I was tested for lupus which was and still negative. Doctors said I had sun poisoning and give me steriods to clear up my skin. Now I can go out but I am cover with 70 SPF sunblock and long sleeves. If I don't wear long sleeves my arms blisters up. What's wrong? Can this be repaired?
I spent the day reading outside yesterday, i was in the sun less than an hour and a half, but I still ended up with the worst sunburn i've ever had. My legs are swollen and it hurts to walk, it feels like my muscles are burnt! I read your article and got a big cup of ice water and filled a zip lock baggie w/ ice. I can't tell you how much relief i've gotten just from moving the "icepack" around my legs! I wish I had read this last night!
Thank you so much!
In 1997 I was vacationing in Mexico in August (I wouldn't suggest it for anyone). I took extreme care not to get sunburned using sunblock, hats, and covering up. And that worked--no sunburn. But one morning I woke up and my face was swollen and large sacks of fluid were hanging under my eyes. I went to a doctor in town and he took one look at me and said, "sun poisoning." He gave me a strong antihistimine (I slept for about 16 hours) and told me to stay out of the sun completely. Ever since then I can't seem to tolerate heat at all, especially sun makes me weak and nauseated, no burns however. Am I allergic to the sunlight? I do take anti-depressants as I did back in '97. Have you ever heard of this kind of reaction? Angel
two days ago i got a really bad sunburn while i was at the pool with my best friend. Both of us forgot to re-apply but I am the only one with a bad sunburn. I am red all over and am starting to get small blisters on my forehead and some more on my shoulders and back. I could hardly sleep last night because every way i turned i was in pain even my clothes are starting to hurt me. I feel nauseas (spelling?) but i haven't vomited yet. I also have a headache but my mom remains that i have only a sunburn. any thoughts?
I was out on the lake Friday for about 4 hours. Temp about 108. Got burned on face and shoulders. Usually goes away the next day. Did not use sunscreen. Drank alot of beer Thurs night. A little dehydrated early Fri morning. Ok all day Fri. Drank a little Fri night. Outside with sunscreen and hat on at pool for about an hour. Took a shower. All of a sudden I felt nauseated. Began to vomit constantly. Diarrehea followed. Then got severe chills. Had blankets on me. Skin was burning up on my neck, face, and shoulders. Thought it was the burn. Calves started cramping. Chills lasted about 3 hours. When I could finally get up, I got some water and gatorade. Drank little bits. Vomited again. As I was at a hotel, I waited it out. It is now Monday and I still feel nauseated and stomach is bloated.
Could it be from the sun? I have played outdoor sports forever. Got injured and have been on the mend for over a year. Still I have always tolerated the heat.
Hey. My sister got a really bad sunburn, and this is the 3rd day. Yesterday she was crying because it was itching and hurting/stinging so bad!!!!! She has no blister just extreme redness. She is very fair skin... tonight she has a bad headache and feels sick...What should she do? Is it sun poisoining?? Please let me know! Thanks so much
Hello all i have read most of the comments on here hopeing for something new but no luck. so i'll let you all in what i have learned over the years. about ten years ago i had a very bad sunburn turn into sunposing every year i have found out if i get just slight red i fight this all summer long. but the one thing thats helps me out alot is going to a taning bed first of Jan. and slowly get a base tan then i dont have the problem like i do other wise. this next tax year im buying a tanning bed it helps that much. i tryied to go with out this year and stupied me got it again lol. thats why im going to buy one
Hello Kevin
I saw this response and wanted to reply to you right away. I know this may seem like a good plan but it simply is dangerous. Getting a "base tan" in this manner does not adequately protect you from the sun and in fact, greatly increases your chances for getting a deadly melanoma. A sunbed tan usually provides a maximum SPF (sun protection factor) of only 4. But with these tanning beds you may have an increased risk of developing a melanoma of up to 75%!
I would strongly advise you to read our literature here about the dangers of tanning beds and also about skin cancer prevention.
I do hope you reconsider the purchase of a tanning bed.
Thank You. I Live In Upstate New York And I Traveled Down To Panama City Beach, FL With My Boyfriend And His Band, Went To The Beach For About Three Hours Covered Head To Toe In Sun Screen [30SPF-70SPF]. Came Back Red In My Chest And Arm Area; It's Itchy, Dry And Irritated [No Blisters]. Several Hours Later I Started To Shake And Feel Absolutely Freezing In 85 Degree Weather [Which To Me 70 Degrees Is Nearing Too Hot, Normally] Which Was Then Followed By Nausea And Mild Dizziness, Which I Had Thought Was A Reaction To Me Having A Reaction To Caffeine Which Sometimes Happens To Me. It's A Full Day And About 17 Glasses Of Ice Water Later And I'm Still Nauseous, Itchy, Irritated, Freezing In 90 Degree Weather, And Mildly And Randomly Dizzy. I Looked Up Symptoms To Heat Stoke, Sun Poisoning And Dehydration; It Has Been Concluded That Sun Poisoning Is The Correct Answer And I Will Treat It As Such. So Far It Has Been Decided That This Happened Because Of Sudden Exposure To Strong Sun Rays To My Almost Transparent Skin, My Sensitive Skin And Mild Dehydration. Again, Thank You For Helping Me Self Diagnose.
I recently went to the bahamas and came home with a lot of color. I didn't feel that I had any major issues with my skin however, I am having a problem with my right forearm. I have been constantly scratching it due to a deep tingle or pin prick type sensation. This causes me to scratch and once I engage in that the tingle or deep pin prick sensation (in a random pattern across my forearm) worsens. I have been home for a month now and have not been in the sun since. Can this be realted to any type of sun poisoning at this point? FYI - there is no visible rash or blistering on my arm nor has there been since my trip.
Did you get vaccines before leaving the country? You could have caught a bohemian disease or a parasite. If you do visit a doctor for this problem (I highly encourage you to!), make sure you mention that you were in the Bahamas. I don't want to scare you, but the possibility is there, and you should definitely get it checked out before it gets worse.
I went to the beach for the day and watched a rugby game. I put sunscreen own (the spray kind) and i missed the back of my legs. I got home and i have a headache and just threw up. do i have sun poisoning or a really bad sun burn. I have no fever though. I don't know what to do my parents are not home.
i understand that your sun poison is in critical condition. You got bubbles forming on your cheek. Thats right FACE CHEEK not butt cheek. & its gross. But after it ruptures. everything will be covered in pus. Im sorry to post your herpies on the web but i feel poeple should stay away from you. Contact Posion control please.
DANGER- Sunscreens DO NOT LAST FOREVER! I use the Once Opened Beauty Expiration Kit to clearly date my beauty products. I found out that common permanent markers smudge off because of the oils in creams and makeup -the kit's self laminating labels solve this problem. Kit comes with self laminating labels in a pretty pink pouch, ultra fine point mini permanent marker and a cosmetic life expectancy guide in a nice keepsake box. Prevent using old make-up and spreading bacteria - don't jeopardize your good looks with infections and acne. Check it out. www.onceopened.com
I was out in the sun for four days. One day was in direct sun light (at the beach) and the three other days were just walking around in the sun. I had sunglasses on.
I woke up one day & my forehead was swollen. The next day it has moved down to my eyes & eye lids. And on the sides of my temples.
How to I get the swelling to go down? I am not in any pain. I just look like a monster and have a hard time seeing.
Could this be sun poisoning? Will the swelling go away?
Hi there
I am wondering if you are having an allergic reaction. I would definitely see a doctor. It may be from the sun and it may be from something else...you need to be seen so that you can be treated and know if this is an allergy.
With sun poisoning...usually you are nauseated, possibly feverish, chills...that sort of thing.
Hope you feel better soon.
I had that happen to me, and it turned out to be a chemical burn, not a sun burn, as the power company had just been spraying the lines with weed killer, ( lived in the country) and the wind had blown a bunch of in into my face, it took a good 1 1/2 to 2 weeks for my face to get back to normal, I had looked like the The Bride of Frankenstein had gone 12 rounds with Mike Tyson,( talk about monsterous), Pain meds and lots of water,help, and see a Doctor, they might proscribe you a styroid (pill or cream) to help. hope this helps, trying to type with sunpoisoning is hard,
Sunburn also called as sun poisoning or Photodermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that is caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. A similar burn can follow overexposure to a "sun" lamp. UV radiation can also damage the eyes, although no surface burn is apparent.
I went to the beach yesterday with my family and it wasn't cloudy at all, and we were out there for several hours. on the way home, I noticed that i had really bad pains and that I was sunburned. That night I went to bed really early, but i couldn't hardly sleep, because it hurt too much, and I had a fever and chills. I woke up at one point, and had to use the bathroom, but I could barely lift my head up. when I finally managed to get to the bathroom, I vomitted, and when I was going back to bed, I fainted. when I woke up this morning, it hurt too much to get out of bed until I put some aloe on my legs. thank goodness I had it right next to me! I'm not sure if I have sun poisoning or not, or what I should do.
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Thanks so much for your post Sue. With the summer approaching, it is so important for people to be aware of the sun's potential for damage to one's skin.
You can review more in our sunburn section as well as material from our sunscreen tips area.
Hope this helps, all the best, sue (moderator)
i get this rash on my forehead every year. I have been to dematologist and lots of doctors who took lab results and could never figure out what it is... I think i know what it is now.. it swells up about 3 in. from my forehead and gets blisters.. i have it worse than ever right now. its from the sun. i just went floating on a river for deveral hours and didnt wear sunscreen.. i was burnt bad and now my rash is sreading faster when i get it more. im taking a steriod pack and it tends to work in 4 or 5 days ...
i get this rash on my forehead every year. I have been to dematologist and lots of doctors who took lab results and could never figure out what it is... I think i know what it is now.. it swells up about 3 in. from my forehead and gets blisters.. i have it worse than ever right now. its from the sun. i just went floating on a river for deveral hours and didnt wear sunscreen.. i was burnt bad and now my rash is sreading faster when i get it more. im taking a steriod pack and it tends to work in 4 or 5 days ...