Sun poisoning vs heatstroke: Understanding the differences (and severity)

Recently, 13 people died from an apparent heatstroke while attending a government award function in an open space in Navi Mumbai. The incident is being reported as the biggest-ever heatwave-related death toll from a single event in India. According to the Health Ministry, a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or more for plains, 37°C or more for coastal stations, and at least 30°C or more for hilly regions. In view of the incident, it becomes extremely important to take care of oneself in the sweltering summer heat by trying to stay indoors, drinking enough water, wearing comfortable cotton clothes, using an umbrella or cap when outside, and consuming foods that are hydrating in nature. But, the sun and its ultraviolet rays (UV) can not only cause heatstroke, but excessive exposure can also lead to the risk of skin cancers and early ageing, along with sun poisoning. #HeatWave | Heat waves can be fatal, make sure to follow these do's and don'ts. pic.twitter.com/JMiLMHYwtn — NDMA India | राष्ट्रीय आपदा प्रबंधन प्राधिकरण 🇮🇳 (@ndmaindia) April 17, 2023 What is sun poisoning? How is it different from a heatstroke? Dr Saurabh Shah, dermatologist, Bhatia Hospital, Mumbai explained that a heatstroke occurs when the body overheats to the point that it can no longer regulate its internal temperature through its innate thermoregulatory mechanisms like sweating and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). "The cardinal signs of heatstroke are headache, nausea, dehydration and in extreme cases fever, drop in blood pressure, increased heart rate or cold clammy skin. It must, however, be noted that the aforementioned symptoms extend much beyond the discomfort associated with most sunburns and indicate a definite medical emergency," he told indianexpress.com. On the other hand, sun poisoning usually refers to skin inflammation due to UV radiation. "It does not encompass the systemic complications of heatstroke, which could be much more severe warranting urgent medical attention. By and large, sun poisoning denotes skin rashes called photo dermatosis or polymorphic light eruptions, when they are overexposed to sunlight for a longer period of time," he added. Adding to this, Dr Seema Oberoi Lall, Consultant, Dermatology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram said, "This usually happens when people are present in sun for long periods of times, however, in some people even a shorter period of exposure can lead to sun poisoning. It is a combination of severe damage to skin due to sun exposure along with extreme dehydration." Symptoms of sun poisoning In addition to the usual sunburn-like symptoms, you might experience: *Blistering or peeling skin *Fever and chills *Severe redness and pain *Dehydration *Confusion *Nausea or vomiting *Dizziness *Headaches *Fainting Dr Shah said, "Sun poisoning symptoms can last anywhere from two to three days, or they may persist for weeks. Long-term cumulative sun exposure induced skin inflammation could predispose one to an increased risk of developing skin cancer." Treatment The type of treatment you receive for sun poisoning depends on the severity. Some home remedies or medical attention may be required to prevent infection, as per Dr Shah. Hydration: Keep yourself thoroughly hydrated to compensate for the excessive sweating and transepidemal water loss (TEWL). Drink extra fluids (preferably with electrolytes and sugar) not just during sun exposure but also for a few days extending beyond that. Cold compresses: Apply wet tissue paper, wet wipes or cold compresses. Take cold water shower (not hot or lukewarm) upon reaching home. Sunscreens: Use a sunscreen liberally. Any sunscreen works only for a few hours; hence it is imperative that one uses a sunscreen repeatedly multiple times a day while out in the sun. Any sunscreen over SPF 50+ is good enough for Indian skin. Covered clothing: Always wear loose soft cotton covered clothing to completely cover self to minimise sun exposure. Avoid occlusive clothing and materials like – polyester, lycra, spandex and nylon, which cause one to sweat more and further contribute to dehydration. Additionally, one should wear caps, hats (preferably broad brimmed), scarfs and carry an umbrella when going outside in sun for an extended time. 📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don't miss out on the latest updates!