Sun Poisoning Is A Real Thing & It’s More Common Than You Think

A TikTok video gained over 33 million views with a cautionary caption: #wearsunscreen. The shocking series of clips displays an intense process of significant skin swelling and blistering—the user had experienced “sun poisoning,” a term that instantly caught my eye (and clearly that of many others, too).  

“Sun poisoning is a severe case of sunburn,” board-certified dermatologist Bradley Glondy, M.D., FAAD, explains. “It causes the skin to blister and can become very painful and uncomfortable.”

These are common signs of any intense sunburn, but sun poisoning can become a larger issue. “Sometimes sun poisoning can be so severe that you can experience systemic symptoms, including fevers and chills,” Glondy explains. Hence, why some other viral TikTok videos depict people on the edge of vomiting, crying, and in severe states of physical and mental stress.

“The exact cause of sun poisoning is still not fully understood, but it is believed to be a combination of factors, including genetic predisposition, individual susceptibility to UV radiation, and prolonged or intense exposure to the sun,” board-certified dermatologist Dustin Portela, D.O., FAAD, tells mindbodygreen.

While prevention is the best method here, there are ways to treat some cases of sun poisoning at home. 

“Mild cases can be treated at home with a cool compress, staying hydrated, and pain medication,” Glodney says. 

However, “In cases where sunburn has resulted in blisters, dermatologists may provide guidance on proper blister care,” Portela adds. “This typically involves keeping the blisters clean, avoiding popping or picking at them, and applying antibiotic ointments to prevent infection.”

As with any sunburn, make sure to avoid irritating products on the damaged skin (fragrance, exfoliants, and the like) and look for soothing ingredients, like aloe vera, colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, vitamin E, shea butter, postbiotics, etc.—more general sunburn remedies here, if you’re curious. 

Some of the content I saw under the #sunpoisoning search on TikTok unsettled me, as I noticed many people making light of this dangerous situation. 

And look, I'm all about staying positive when faced with adversity, but I don't think we should view sun poisoning as a badge of honor or a way to rack up likes and comments. Remember: Not only do you risk ruining your vacation or putting a hindrance on the next week (or so) of your day-to-day life, but you’re also supercharging your risk of very serious skin concerns, like melanoma.

As the Skin Cancer Foundation notes, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. Also, having five or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma, so it’s not something to downplay. 

Sun poisoning is a severe case of sunburn that can trigger symptoms like fever, chills, nausea, intense blisters, and more.

To prevent sun poisoning, commit to reapplying SPF every two hours when you’re in the sun, wear protective clothing, and avoid lounging in the UV rays during peak hours.