Staying out in the sun too long without proper protection is likely to result in one uncomfortable thing– a sunburn. The redness, pain, and peeling that follow a sunburn are well-known symptoms that many people try to combat with aloe and cooling gels. However, some people may also experience feeling cold. After spending hours in the heat, why does a sunburn leave us feeling so cold? In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons why a sunburn can make you feel cold and outline ways to protect your skin this summer.
For same-day sunburn and general illness treatment, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Boulder. Our certified medical providers can provide treatment seven days a week and give further advice on preventing sunburn. Walk-in or pre-register online today!
Reasons Why a Sunburn Can Make You Feel Cold
To understand why a sunburn can cause cold chills, it’s important to first understand how a sunburn affects your entire body. A sunburn causes damage to the surface of your skin, often appearing red and warm to the touch. The UV rays that burn your skin can cause the blood to rise to the surface of the skin. This is why your skin feels hot. However, this also causes a large amount of body heat to be lost. When your body attempts to balance this loss of heat, shivering can occur. Shivering is the body’s natural way of generating heat to compensate for any extra heat loss.
Furthermore, sunburn can also lead to dehydration as the skin loses moisture. Dehydration affects the body’s ability to regulate its temperature efficiently, leading to chills and coldness. There are many different causes that can correlate to the relationship between sunburn and chills. Whether it’s heat regulation, dehydration, or an increased sensitivity to temperature– this sensation is normal and should pass within 24 hours depending on the severity of the sunburn.
How To Protect Your Skin From Sunburn
The best way to prevent any uncomfortable chills, or long-term skin damage, is to prevent sunburns from occuring in the first place. The first and foremost way to avoid sunburn is to wear sunscreen. You should be wearing sunscreen everyday, whether or not you’re going to spend time laying out in the sun. UV rays can affect your skin at any point outside– even through the clouds. Be sure to apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 throughout the day.
Besides sunscreen, you should also avoid spending too much time in the sun. Seek shade if you suspect you might be getting burnt. Wear protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses– even your eyes can get sunburnt!
Visit AFC Urgent Care Boulder For Same-Day Care
When you need seasonal care, AFC Urgent Care Boulder is here. Our clinic is a great resource for affordable, high-quality and efficient care. You and your loved ones can get the service you need without having to wait for an appointment with your regular doctor! Our medical team can provide sunburn treatment and further advice on how to prevent burns. With specialized care and a trained medical staff, AFC Urgent Care Boulder has you covered. For more information about preventing and treating a sunburn, please contact our office directly at (720) 961-9700.
