Summertime is all about hitting the pool, adventuring outdoors, and lounging at the beach. While it’s the perfect season to spend time outside, overexposure to the sun can lead to painful sunburn. Sometimes we’re particularly susceptible to sunburn when hanging out near a body of water, like the pool or ocean, because the water can wash off many types of sunscreen, exposing our skin to the sun’s harmful rays even when we think we’re protected.
Though topical treatments such as aloe vera or calamine lotion are the most common and effective ways to treat sunburn, hydration plays an important role. But does drinking water help sunburn? Let’s explore the connection between hydration and sunburn relief and how to hydrate your body fast with electrolyte drink mixes like DripDrop.
What is Sunburn?
Most of us have experienced a sunburn at some point in our lives. Maybe you forgot to reapply sunscreen after swimming in the ocean or neglected to use sunscreen on a cloudy day. But what exactly is happening when we get a sunburn?
Sunburn is a type of radiation burn caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tanning beds. It can cause redness, inflammation, itchiness or irritation, peeling, and dehydration. Extreme cases of sunburn can cause fever, nausea, and chills—and require immediate medical attention.
Long-term exposure to UV rays without protection and repeated sunburns over time can lead to wrinkled skin, premature aging, and skin cancers such as melanoma.
Can Sunburn Cause Dehydration?
Yes, sunburn can contribute to dehydration, but other factors impact your body’s fluid level as well. When your skin can be damaged by the sun, your body pulls fluids to the skin’s surface, removing it from other areas of your body, which could lead to dehydration.
Drinking water may help your sunburn, but your body also needs electrolytes to function properly. An electrolyte drink mix like DripDrop can help hydrate you fast thanks to its doctor-developed formula. DripDrop uses the precise ratio of sodium to glucose, which allows your body to absorb fluids and electrolytes more quickly than normal. It’s also packed with essential electrolytes—and it’s available in delicious flavors.
Staying hydrated is extremely important when spending any amount of time outdoors, especially in the summer, even if you don’t get a sunburn. Higher temperatures cause your body to sweat, releasing vital fluids through your sweat glands. Drinking water and electrolytes can replenish these necessities.
Tips to Prevent Sunburn and Stay Hydrated
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Drink Plenty of Water: Generally, everyone should drink about half a gallon of water each day (around eight glasses of water or two liters). If you’re spending more time in the sun or participating in physical activity, you may need to drink even more water and electrolytes.
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Pay Attention to Electrolyte Intake: Your body requires electrolytes to function properly. Electrolyte imbalance can lead to headaches, nausea, muscle cramps, and more. Drinking an electrolyte solution like DripDrop can quickly replenish fluids and vital nutrients.
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Apply and Reapply Sunscreen: People are susceptible to sunburn even when spending a short amount of time outside. You should also use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from UV damage. If you are spending an extended period of time outside, reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially after swimming.
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Find a Shady Spot: Retreat to a shaded area every so often to cool down and reduce the risk of sunburn and heat exhaustion.
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Wear Protective Clothing: Light, breathable fabrics, hats, and sunglasses can help shield your skin from direct sunlight.
Symptoms of Dehydration
Dehydration is a common occurrence that happens when your body loses more fluids and electrolytes than it's taken in. You can avoid dehydration by drinking water throughout the day and paying attention where you’re getting electrolytes from.
Common symptoms of mild to moderate cases of dehydration include:
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Dry mouth and thirst
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Dark color or bright yellow urine
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Headaches
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Infrequent urination
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Dry skin
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Fatigue
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Dizziness or fainting
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Muscle cramps
More severe cases of dehydration can lead to symptoms including rapid heart rate, elevated blood pressure, fainting, and memory loss or confusion. If you experience any of these serious symptoms, seek medical help right away.
Combat Summer Heat with DripDrop
Staying hydrated is important year-round, but when the temperature starts to rise and you’re spending more time outside, hydration becomes even more crucial. Drinking water can help sunburn recovery by replenishing fluids, but electrolytes are vital to bodily function.
When you need to hydrate fast, grab your favorite flavor of DripDrop to give your body the electrolytes and fast absorption power it needs. Available in tasty summertime flavors, DripDrop provides all the hydration benefits you need with just half the amount of sugar compared to the leading sports drink. Going sugar free? Try DripDrop Zero with fast hydration and zero sugar.
