Sunburn usually doesn’t cause congestion. Severe sunburn can potentially cause severe dehydration that causes flu-like symptoms, but this is unlikely to include congestion.

A sunburn is a burn that forms when your skin is exposed to too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight. Other forms of UV light, like tanning beds, can also cause sunburns.

About a third of people in the United States experience at least one sunburn each year.

The risk of sunburn increases with the length of time and strength of sun exposure. Mild sunburns tend to cause symptoms like skin discoloration and irritation.

Severe sunburns are sometimes referred to as “sun poisoning.” Sun poisoning is not a medical condition, but it can cause severe dehydration, resulting in flu-like symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting.

Nasal congestion is not typical of sunburns or sun poisoning.

It’s possible that dehydration could contribute to the thickening of mucus, with subsequent blockage of the nasal passages. This could theoretically contribute to the development of nasal congestion.

Keep reading to learn more about potential symptoms of sunburns and whether they can cause congestion.

When to seek emergency care

Severe sunburns and heat stroke need to be treated in the hospital. Seek emergency medical attention if you or somebody you’re with develops the following symptoms following sun exposure:

  • very high fever
  • unconsciousness
  • fainting
  • vomiting

Sunburns can range from mild to severe. They can affect people with any skin color, even if you have dark skin. Severe sunburns, sometimes called sun poisoning, can cause symptoms like:

Dehydration can cause many of your body systems to stop working as they should, leading to various symptoms. Theoretically, dehydration associated with a severe sunburn may lead to nasal congestion due to drying your nasal passages and thickening your mucus.

It’s highly unlikely that sunburn would cause only congestion without other dehydration symptoms. Symptoms that are more typical of dehydration include:

Nasal congestion can also have many causes unrelated to sunburn. These can include:

If you have seasonal allergies, you may experience increased symptoms of days with high pollen counts.

Sun poisoning can cause the following symptoms:

Sun poisoning isn’t a real form of poisoning, like ingesting toxic chemicals. It’s also not a recognized medical condition by itself; it’s a colloquial name for a severe sunburn.

Sun poisoning is caused by prolonged exposure to UV radiation. The primary source of UV radiation is the sun. Tanning beds also expose you to this type of radiation.

It’s best to seek medical emergency attention if you experience severe symptoms after a sunburn or sun exposure.

Symptoms of severe sunburn may include:

  • blisters or skin swelling
  • chills
  • a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) in adults or 99°F (37.5°C) in children
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • nausea or vomiting

These symptoms may result from severe sunburn or heat illnesses like heat stroke.

If you do not have severe symptoms, but your sunburn is painful or blistering, you can also talk with a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in skin health. They may be able to recommend or prescribe a treatment based on the severity of your sunburn.

If you have mild sunburn with congestion and don’t have severe symptoms, it’s possible that you have a respiratory infection, like a cold, or allergies. Symptoms from an infection typically go away within 10 days.

If your symptoms get worse, begin to improve, and then get worse, or do not improve after about 10 days, it’s best to talk with a doctor, like a primary care physician.

Some infections can lead to sinusitis, or inflammation of the sinuses, and may require medical treatment. If these issues last for a long time or recur, you may need to talk with a specialist, such as an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT).

Find a medical specialist in your area today

Your healthcare team may comprise several people who can provide support.

Sometimes, a medical specialist will be required to help diagnose, manage, or treat a healthcare condition.

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Nasal congestion can be treated with a combination of home remedies and medications, depending on the underlying cause. Treatment options for nasal congestion include:

  • Using decongestants: Decongestants can reduce swelling and irritation in your nasal passages. Many are available over the counter.
  • Taking antihistamines: If a doctor suspects that allergies may be contributing to your congestion, they may recommend antihistamines. Antihistamines block the release of molecules called histamines that trigger allergy symptoms.
  • Showering: Breathing in the steam from your shower may help relieve sinus pain and pressure.
  • Staying hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids may help thin out the mucus in your sinuses.
  • Placing a warm compress over your nose and forehead: A warm compress may help relieve pressure in your sinuses.

If your symptoms get worse, begin to improve and then get worse, or do not improve after about 10 days, it’s best to talk with a doctor. Some infections can lead to sinusitis, or inflammation in the sinuses, and may require medical treatment.

Mild sunburns can usually be treated with home remedies, such as:

  • Taking pain relievers: Pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help reduce pain, headache, and fever. Never give aspirin to children under 16 years, as this can cause a severe infection known as Reye’s syndrome.
  • Staying hydrated: Drinking plenty of water may help counteract dehydration.
  • Using topical creams and aloe: Applying creams developed for sunburn or aloe from an aloe plant may help cool your burns and relieve pain.
  • Avoiding sun: It’s important to avoid sunlight until your burn heals to prevent it from worsening. If you’re going outdoors, you can wear clothing to cover the area of your burn.
  • Taking extra precautions if you have photosensitivity: Some medications and skin products can cause photosensitivity, an increased sensitivity and risk of damage from sun exposure. It’s best to take additional steps to prevent sun exposure while using these medications.

Severe sunburn that occurs with other symptoms may require emergency medical attention. Very severe sunburns may require special burn cream and wound dressings applied by a doctor or in an emergency room treatment.

Sunburn that’s severe but doesn’t cause other symptoms may still require medical attention. A doctor may recommend hydrocortisone cream for a few days to reduce skin inflammation for severe burns.

You can take steps to prevent future sunburns by applying sun protection everyday, but especially when you’re going to be outdoors. You can still get sunburn on a cloudy day.

Sun exposure, even if it doesn’t result in a sunburn, may raise the risk of skin cancer throughout your life.

Some tips for preventing sunburn include:

Here are some frequently asked questions people have about sunburns.

Prolonged sun and heat exposure can cause some symptoms that mimic those of a cold or flu. These symptoms can include:

  • feeling unwell
  • fever
  • chills or sweating
  • nausea or vomiting
  • severe dehydration
  • headache
  • pain and tingling
  • vision issues
  • dizziness

Sunburns can lead to dehydration, which may dry out your mouth and nasal passages and breathing more difficult. Severe dehydration can decrease the amount of blood circulating through your body and may lead to rapid breathing or heart rate.

However, difficulty breathing can also have other causes, including life threatening ones like anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. If you or someone else is having difficulty breathing, seek emergency medical attention by calling 911 or your local emergency services.

According to experts, it’s a good idea to seek medical attention if you or somebody you’re with develops:

Severe sunburns can cause dehydration, which could theoretically lead to nasal congestion. However, dehydration is more likely to cause other symptoms, such as persistent thirst, dry mouth, and dark urine.

Severe dehydration may require medical attention. Signs of severe dehydration include rapid breathing, not sweating despite overheating, and headaches.

You can also get congestion from a respiratory illness, such as a flu or cold, or from allergies.