Side Effects of Sun Poisoning
Polymorphous light eruption or sun poisoning is a skin rash that occurs after exposure to the sun. Sun poisoning causes a number of symptoms.
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Causes
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Sun poisoning occurs due to a hypersensitive reaction to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. The reason why this hypersensitivity develops in patients is unknown, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Types of Symptoms
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Skin rashes due to sun poisoning usually appear on your neck, chest, arms or thighs as small red bumps that itch or burn, often accompanied by blistering and swelling. Additional symptoms of sun poisoning include fever, chills, headaches and nausea.
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Time Frame
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The symptoms of sun poisoning typically last between five and 10 days, according to UK NetDoctor.
Treatment
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Treatments for sun poisoning include staying out of the sun and using an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory cream on the affected areas. For severe cases of sun poisoning, your doctor may prescribe a corticosteroid cream.
Prevention
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Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen and staying out of the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. are effective steps for prevention of sun poisoning, reports the Mayo Clinic. To prevent flare-ups during a winter vacation or the start of summer, some patients also rely on phototherapy, a medical treatment that uses small, incremental doses of ultraviolet light over a period of several weeks.
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