Too Much Sun Can Ruin Your Vacation Fun: Here’s How to Avoid It

No one wants it to rain on their vacation.

You want sun – and lots of it.

But you CAN have too much sun on your vacation and the results can put a damper on your fun.

When you’re on your hard-earned trip, the last thing you want to deal with is a painful sunburn or worse – sun poisoning.

Let’s take a look at the signs and symptoms of this vacation buzz-kill, as well as how to avoid it.

Symptoms of sun poisoning

Sun poisoning is a severe sunburn that requires medical treatment.

Depending on your skin type, it can start as little as 15 minutes into your sun exposure.

The tricky part is, you may not even notice it right away. It can take a few hours to show up.

It’s important to note that, though anyone can get sun poisoning, small children and the elderly are especially susceptible.

If you experience these symptoms after too much sun on your vacation, you should see a medical professional.

• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Rashy, red skin
• Chills

Trying to find a doctor while you’re on vacation may seem like a pain, but you shouldn’t wait until you get home.

How to treat too much sun on your vacation

If you get a mild to moderate sunburn and don’t have any of the symptoms of sun poisoning, follow these tips for relief.

1. Drink lots of water

Adequate hydration is always important, but especially when you have a sunburn. The drying effects of the sun can cause you to become dehydrated more quickly than normal.

2. Use aloe vera

Lotions and gels with aloe vera have skin-soothing properties, alleviating the burn and itch. It contains Vitamin E, which is known to reduce swelling and even repair tissue.

3. Take an anti-inflammatory

Sunburn can make you feel slightly uncomfortable, it can be downright painful, or you may experience something in-between.

Aspirin or ibuprofen are both good options for pain-relief.

4. Take a cool shower

This can help to lower your body temperature.

An ounce of prevention

Did you know that even the amount of sun exposure it takes to give you a tan can increase your risk of skin cancer? It also speeds up the aging process.

Here are some tips to minimize the danger.

• Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more. Reapply it frequently, especially if you’re sweating a lot or swimming.
• Avoid the sun during mid-day. Stick with early-morning or late-afternoon.
• Seek out the shade if you do end up in the sun at noon.
• Don’t be confused by the clouds. You still need sunscreen. It doesn’t seem right that you can get sunburned on a cloudy day, but you can.

Enjoy a painless vacation

A vacation is an event that you look forward to all year.

Don’t ruin it by spending time not feeling well in bed or visiting the doctor’s office because you weren’t careful in the sun.

If you do get too much sun on your vacation drink water, slather on some aloe vera gel, and take a couple aspirin. You’ll be back in action in no time.

But, if you notice any of the symptoms of sun poisoning, get to the nearest doctor. Don’t wait until you get home.

By carefully managing your sun exposure, you’ll have the stress-free, relaxing vacation you deserve.

Are you diligent about taking precautions in the sun?