Symptoms of Sunburn
The symptoms of sunburn vary widely from individual to individual. While some may show only mild symptoms, others may show symptoms of acute sunburn.
Mild Sunburn
In most cases, sunburn is mild enough and is accompanied by the following symptoms:
Minor reddishness along the skin, particularly in more sensitive areas like the face
Pain may accompany reddishness in certain cases.
Some people (those who have a highly sensitive skin might start showing this reddishness within 30 minutes of exposure to UV A and B rays.Others might take as long as 2-6 hours for the symptoms to start showing.
Rash from sunburn
Rash from sunburn
Full blown symptoms of sunburn usually manifest 12-24 hours after the exposure to virulent UV radiations.
Acute Sunburn
Cases of acute sunburn have the following effects on the skin:
Severe burns
Blisters which can be very fine or very large blisters which are filled with water and conceal tender red skin beneath them. The fine blisters are usually noticed when they begin to peel.
Blisters caused by sunburn
Blisters caused by sunburn
These symptoms of acute sunburn are usually accompanied by following more severe complications:
Dehydration or excessive loss of fluid from the body
Electrolyte imbalance
Acute sunburn (if untreated) might also lead to shock and, in extreme cases, even death.
The symptoms of shock caused by sunburn include:
Blood pressure falling to dangerously low levels
Flu like symptoms
Chills
Nausea and vomiting
Fatigue, especially if the sunburnt area is large
Dizziness
Though the symptoms of sunburn start showing themselves within a few hours, it may take a little longer to know about the severity of sunburn or the extent of it.
The blisters from sunburn start peeling after a few days, as the body starts getting rid of the damaged skin. Raw and tender skin is exposed after these blisters peel off, and this tender skin takes a few days or a little longer to heal, depending upon the acuteness of sunburn.