In addition to leading to skin cancer later on, sun exposure can make you sick, really sick. Surprisingly it only takes 15 minutes of sun exposure to get a sunburn. Sunburns are painful and may ruin your vacation, leaving you hiding away in your hotel room or cabin for the remainder of your stay. Sun exposure can also cause blisters, peeling skin, and sun poisoning in extreme cases. Sun poisoning can make you feel dreadful, causing symptoms such as fever, shills, nausea, swelling, and confusion. Don't let the sun ruin your vacation. Following are three ways you can avoid sunburn and its consequences while vacationing on or near the water. 

Use Sunscreen

You probably already know that you should wear sunscreen at all times, but did you know that not all sunscreens are what they appear to be? Recently, Consumer Reports found that more than 40 percent of sunscreens tested did not have as much SPF protection as was listed on the bottle. So you may think you're protected when you're actually not. How do you get around it? The FDA recommends broad spectrum sunscreens with SPF values of 15 or higher. To make sure you get enough, use sunscreen with a higher SPF value. Also, reapply every two hours regardless of what the instructions say. 

Limit Exposure

The best way to prevent sunburn is to limit your sun exposure. Avoid the sun when its rays are most intense, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Wear loose-fitting protective clothing along with a hat and sunglasses. The goal is to cover up as much skin as possible. Also, take into consideration that the sun is more intense around water and sand. Limit your sun exposure to brief periods until you see how your skin is reacting. 

Take Action

Remember, a sunburn gets worse even after you get out of the sun. The key to staying safe is to recognize problems early. Get out of the sun if your skin starts to get red or feel sore. Take a cool shower or bath and drink plenty of fluids. If needed, you can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain while coating your skin with a sunburn ointment. If you start to display symptoms of sun poisoning, seek medical care immediately. 

It's vital that you care for your skin while on vacation. A sunburn can ruin your vacation and may be detrimental to your health both in the short term and long term. Always pay attention to the sun and take steps to protect yourself from it. 

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