18 Signs You’ve Gotten Too Much Sun

There's nothing like spending your summer having fun in the sun. The only problem? Too often people ignore the serious warning signs of sun overexposure, which, if ignored, can lead to heatstroke, sunburn, severe pain and even death. Learn the most common physical symptoms of spending too much time in the sun so you can be safe and still have fun outdoors this summer.

Perhaps one of the most obvious signs of overexposure to the sun is sunburn, which is caused by the damaging effects of UV rays. It's important to note that for many people, skin can take hours to show signs of a serious sunburn, meaning it's extra important to be diligent about sunblock before going outdoors and to reapply regularly. Fun fact: Even a tan is a sign of sun damage and overexposure.

Even if you don't develop a red, painful sunburn, skin can still be damaged by the sun. Evidence of this damage is peeling, which is the body's way of removing damaged, dead skin cells. If you notice your skin is peeling after spending time outdoors, it's a good indicator that you got too much sun.

Feeling extra thirsty? Chances are you're dehydrated from a day spent outdoors. The sun is known to deplete our bodies' natural fluids, making it extra important to hydrate throughout the day. While water is always the No. 1 choice for natural hydration, juices, coconut water or sports drinks can also help replace electrolytes lost while sweating.

Feeling mildly lightheaded or dizzy after spending time in the sun could be due to a drop in blood pressure as your body diverts blood away from your brain and toward your skin in an effort to cool you down. Another possible culprit is dehydration. Doctors recommend sipping fluids and relaxing (away from the heat) to combat this problem. However, if you're extremely lightheaded or on the verge of fainting, it's important to see a doctor immediately, as it could be a sign of heatstroke.

Since sunburns can cause widespread inflammation throughout the body, it's not unusual for your resting heart rate to elevate slightly above normal. A rapid heartbeat, especially when combined with shallow breathing and feeling severely lightheaded, should not be ignored, as it could be a sign of heatstroke.

Another serious sign of too much sunshine is confusion. Both heatstroke and heat exhaustion can lead to confusion, almost as if someone was intoxicated. If someone acts strangely confused after spending a lengthy amount of time in the sun, they could be experiencing either heat exhaustion or heat stroke and should be evaluated by a medical professional.

It's normal to perspire when your body is hot. One of the reasons people become dehydrated after spending a day in the sun is from all the moisture loss through perspiration. However, a dangerous sign you've had too much sun is not sweating, which is a common symptom of heatstroke. Typically accompanied by confusion and a rapid heartbeat, heatstroke is potentially deadly and should be treated by a medical professional immediately.

If you spend your summers by the water, make sure you're also wearing sunglasses that protect against the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays. Thanks to water's naturally reflective surface, it can magnify the sun's rays directly into your eyes, causing a painful condition known as photokeratitis, or inflamed corneas. Symptoms include a gritty feeling in the eyes, redness, light sensitivity, blurring vision and the overproduction of tears. Thankfully, it generally clears up on its own within 24 to 48 hours.

As the sun's UV rays beat down on our bodies, it's also zapping necessary moisture levels from our largest organ: our skin. Before peeling and even sunburn, many people will experience a tight, dry sensation on their skin. For those who are beauty- or age-conscious, be warned: Too much sun also contributes to the development of premature wrinkling.

This painful symptom has been described as "Hell's Itch." According to some, the painful pins and needles sensation following a sunburn is not the same pain as the actual burn itself and more like getting bitten, repeatedly, by fire ants. Anecdotal treatments include taking either cold or hot showers, using diluted peppermint oil on the site of the pain and/or taking an antihistamine, although seeking a medical professional's advice would be the best bet for this type of pain.

The combination of dehydration, overexertion and the interplay of sunlight on our body's melatonin production means after a day outdoors, it's not uncommon to feel extra sleepy. If you're feeling tired after spending the day at the beach, chances are you were in the sun for too long. Since our body has to work constantly to maintain our 98.6 degree core temperature, being in the heat can cause it to work overtime, leading to exhaustion. Along with trauma from sun damage, our bodies are left depleted and in serious need of rest.

A fever could also be a sign of too much sun. Inflammation, caused by damaging UV rays and the natural effect of the sun heating up the body, may be triggers that lead to fever. However, a high fever, especially one above 105ºF, requires immediate medical attention as it may be a sign of heatstroke.

The body, in its vast awesomeness, redistributes blood to damaged areas to promote healing. If you've spent the day in the sun and wind up sunburned across a large portion of your body, that warm blood is being spread far and wide, which could cause you to actually lose body heat quicker and develop the chills. If your chills are accompanied by a fever, get to the doctor ASAP—it could be heatstroke.

Another uncomfortable sign you've spent too much time in the sun and may have heatstroke is feeling nauseous. If you have the sensation of wanting to vomit and it's accompanied by a headache, fever or chills, you probably want to head to the doctor for an evaluation. Make sure to stay nourished when you're outdoors, because low blood sugar can also lead to nausea.

While a headache after a day of playing in the sun could mean heatstroke or migraine, it could also be a sign that you're dehydrated. When we sweat, we lose precious moisture in the body. If that moisture loss is severe enough, the brain will actually shrink, which can cause pain in the skull. Sipping water throughout the day and seeking shade to cool down can help prevent these dehydration headaches from occurring in the first place.

Just as it sounds, the red, prickly rash some people get after spending the day outdoors is caused by heat as well as too much sun. Triggered by the normal flora on our skin, heat rash occurs when the protective film around our skin's bacteria clogs our sweat glands, making perspiration impossible. Moisturizing the skin, wearing light, loose clothing and having access to a cooling breeze can all help this painful rash go away.

Also known as heat cramps, this painful condition primarily affects the chest, abdomen and legs of people who've been exercising or playing outdoors in the heat for too long. The combination of overexertion, high temperatures and dehydration result in lost electrolytes and muscle fatigue, causing these brief but incredibly painful muscle spasms.

Feeling like crud after a day outdoors is a clear sign you've had too much sun exposure. Also known as a "sun hangover" this overall feeling of yuckiness comes courtesy of our body's immune response to inflammation caused by the sun. Even when we make sure to hydrate and apply sunscreen, our bodies can still react to sun overexposure by mounting an immune defense that will leave us feeling achy, tired and depleted the following day.