Sunburn

Possible Symptoms:

• red tender skin
• blistered skin
• fever or chills
• dehydration
• flaking, itching, tingling skin
• sunstroke

Sunburns are similar to other burns caused by hot objects. Sunburns usually cover larger areas of skin but are usually minor burns. They are commonly associated with chills, fever and possibly dehydration. Treatment of a burn includes cooling the skin, controlling the discomfort and protecting the skin from further injury. Watch for dehydration (sunstroke). Burning and tanning both increase your risk of skin cancer. There is no such thing as a good burn. Please remember to put sunscreen on. Be sure to put sunscreen on children even if they are going out for only short periods of time. It usually takes only 20-30 minutes to burn in the summer.

If you've recently gotten a sunburn and are concerned that it could require medical care, please answer the following.

Questions

Do you have a temperature greater than 39C (102F) Rectal or 38.5C (101F) Oral?

or

Is there severe blistering?

or

Do you have symptoms of sunstroke? (see below)

Symptoms of dehydration and sunstroke

• temperature greater 39C (102F) rectal or 38.5C (101F) oral
• heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute at rest
• no sweating
• light-headedness when you stand
• confusion
• muscle cramps
• passing out
• headache
• nausea and vomiting

Note: all of the above symptoms may develop more easily when the victim has been drinking alcohol.