Get Virtual Care
For Businesses
About Us
A member asked:
Are sunburn and sun poisoning related?
7 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Maybe: It depends on what you mean by "sun poisoning." this term gets used for lots of things including sunburn, allergic-type reaction or other rash after exposure to sunlight (not related to sunburn) or even heat stroke. The short answer is that some folks react differently to being in the sun. If you do then you need to take precautions accordingly to protect yourself.
Answered 9/28/2016
6.2k views
Yes: Both are due to excessive sun exposure and/or inadequate protection against the sun. Whereas a sunburn directly refers to the effects on the skin with varying degrees of severity, sun poisoning refers to systemic effects on your entire body.
Answered 9/30/2020
4.9k views
Related Questions
A member asked:
Would it be possible to have a sunburn from hot air instead of the sun?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
Does a severe sunburn cause skin aging, or is it caused by long-term sun exposure?
3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
A member asked:
I have mild sunburn, should I take a 3 to 5 days break from sports with sun exposure?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
Am I allergic to the sun if my face swells up when I get a sunburn? Or is it the sunscreen on my face?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
About 5 or 6 days ago I was out in the sun and I got sunburned all over my chest, after a couple of days I peeled it and now it is dry and cracked?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
People also searched for:
I have had a rash in the areas of a bad sunburn that I am thinking could be sun poisoning. Can the bumps last for several weeks?
I am experiencing lip blister and sunburn. How do I treat my lip blisters and are they caused by the sun poisoning?
Fri sunburn/blisters on rt. arm. Loose stools, fever. By Tues blisters on left arm, neck and lower right arm and malaise. Just sun poisoning?
Difference between sun burn & sun poisoning? Some say it is the same thing and others say they are distinctly different. Ie, it Is an allergy, etc.,
Is it a myth that sunburn before age 18 is the most harmful? After 18 I began to be very careful with sun exposure before I had about 5 bad sunburns and one blistering one?
Didn't find what you're looking for?
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.
Ask your questionMore of what we treat
Download HealthTap
Video visit and message your doctor
