Yes, in some severe cases sun poisoning can cause diarrhoea.
Sun poisoning, as we are already aware, it is a sun allergy. It is the next step after sunburns and is accompanied by some of the most fatal symptoms such as fever, chills, dehydration, upset stomach and diarrhea.
People who go out in the sun quite frequently or the people who have to work out in the sun are more prone to developing sun poisoning and diarrhea.
Your risk of developing diarrhea depends on:
- Time you are spending in the sun
- Your style of travelling
- Precautions you take while going out in the sun
Diarrhoea can be mild with just some cramps and few loose bowel movements a day, the symptoms may even vanish if you limit the sun exposure but if the symptoms persist and you continue spending time in the sun, it may lead to total loss of water and electrolytes from the body and weakness.
Sometimes mild diarrhoea takes the form of dysentery if ignored that is accompanied by blood and pus in the stools along with fever and chills.
How common is Sun Poisoning Related Diarrhoea?
Generally, diarrhoea-like symptoms subside if one limits the sun exposure but if one spends unlimited time in the sun, they can experience severe symptoms too.
Almost all men, women, teenagers, kids, and old-aged persons are at risk of developing diarrhoea if they spend unlimited time in the sun but mostly the kids are more commonly afflicted perhaps because of weaker and developing immune systems in comparison to adults.
Other than this, people with compromised immune systems such as those with HIV, cancer, chemotherapy, diabetes, and persons taking high doses of steroids are more susceptible to diarrhoea if they spend time in the sun.
Symptoms of Sun Poisoning Associated Diarrhoea
Symptoms of sun poisoning related diarrhoea are similar to commonly occurring diarrhoea.
- Generally, it arises only if one experiences severe symptoms such as fever, nausea, and vomiting.
- A person may take 2-3 days to develop diarrhoea like symptoms.
- Affected people pass 4-5 watery stools in a day.
- It may also be accompanied by abdominal pain, cramps and bloating.
- It may also be accompanied by abdominal pain, cramps and bloating.
Diagnosis and treatment
- It can resolve if taken care of also it can be prevented if the sun exposure is limited. Its symptoms can also be controlled if proper medications are taken along with oral electrolytes.
- It can be easily diagnosed. Pain in upper part of the abdomen and watery stools are an indication of diarrhoea.
- It can be treated by taking medicines prescribed by a doctor and also by taking oral electrolytes such as ORS.
Prevention
As stated diarrhoea like symptoms arise only if one spends too much time in sun or goes out in sun without taking any protection.
However, if proper protection is taken, one shall not experience either sun poisoning or diarrhoea like symptoms.
So if you plan to take a sunbath on beach or planning to go for shopping this summer, try adopting the following precautions to protect yourself from tanning, sun poisoning, heat stroke accompanied by diarrhoea:
- Try to wear full sleeves clothes.
- Take an umbrella with you.
- Also, cover your feet by wearing either stockings or good quality socks.
- Make sure that whatever socks or shoes you are wearing are not tight on your skin as it may temporarily block blood circulation.
- Also, cover your eyes by wearing good quality sunglasses.
- Keep yourself hydrated and carry a bottle of water along with you, keep a packet of electrolytes also and consume it from time to time because dehydration is the primary cause of sun poisoning and diarrhoea.
Basically, diarrhoea is unusual symptom of sun poisoning and can be prevented if one limits its sun exposure, although if one experiences such symptoms medications and home remedies can be used to treat it effectively.