About Jim B Expertise I can answer a variety of questions concerning the physical care of burns and burn patients which commonly are of interest to both patients and their families. Also I may be helpful in suggesting lifestyle modifications which will help with a more complete recovery from a serious burn. I can also accept questions regarding the physical classifications of burns and the implications regarding the size, depth, and location of burns. What I cannot answer based on my own knowledge and experience I can refer to my current and former collegues in the field including the plastic and trauma surgeons and burn recovery organizations. In many of these cases I will provide a line of communication directly to a specific expert or organization. While I can describe general treatments routines with which I am experienced,I cannot answer questions dealing with specifuc diagnosis of conditions or problems. Additionally, please understand that the area of burn treatments is an experimental one in which there is constant progress and change. Each Burn Center invests a major effort in the development of new materials, treatments, medications, and techniques. In this area of constant change and growth no one can be fully aware of all treatment courses employed.
Experience I am a licensed Paramedic and have also worked as a wound technician in a large regional Burn Center in a Trauma Level 1 hospital. I have experience in the areas of burn evaluation and care, both long-term and immediate first aid. I have also worked as a volunteer couselor with post-burn patients dealing with issues ranging from life-style changes to re-entering the world as a serious burn survivor.
Education/Credentials BA Economics and Biology, AA Health Care Management, EMT-P licensed in Missouri, ABLS (Advanced Burn Life Support)qulification, ACLS-EP (Advanced Cardiac Life Support-Experienced Provider), Former National Ski Patrol Winter Emergency Care Instructor and Senior Evaluator, Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic Instructor.
Question Other than the obvious, red tender skin, what are some signs of sun poision? Fever? vomiting? cold chills? Energy loss? Thank you for your time...
Answer Hi Angela,
"Sun Poisoning" is not so much a real disease as a set of symptoms which arise from a general over exposure to sun with a severe sun burn. Many of the things associated with sun pooisoning are really due to other things which happen at the same time. These include mild to severe dehydration and loss of electrolytes, allergic reactions to skin creams which are caused by sun light and the cream (creams and sunblocks containing PABA are very common here), reactions to sunlight and excess iron or carotine, antibiotics and sunlight, many other medications and sublight, or just sinlight in some few cases. This is not an exhaustive list!
Sun poisoning is usually accompanied with a sun burn which is blotchy - like hives. Often with very red itchy tops that hurt when they are scratched. Other problems associated with a large body area sunburn would include a mild fever. Heat stress, Heat Exhaustion, Sun Stroke are degrees of the same problem: loss of electrolytes and the inability of the body to lose heat faster than it is absorbed. These problems also are accompanied by fever, nausea and vomiting. Chills are often found with fever. Energy loss is associated with dehydration.
The cure for these problems (except heat stroke) is to get the patient out of the sun to cooler conditions, replace fluids and electrolyes lost, and cool the patient down to nomal temps.
I should also note that just because a person has a sunburn does not mean he/sher does not have somethine else wrong not associated with the sunburn. i.e. food poisoning, flue, a cold and so forth. For fever the recommendation would be tylenol and ibuprofen, cool bath or shower, and lots of fluids. Pediolyte (available at the drug store is one example of an electrolye replacement drink. sweet tea and coffee are not helpful.
