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Joel Katz

Sunburn and Sun Poisoning: What’s the Difference and How to Avoid Them

Author Joel Katz
A person carries a chair and umbrella while walking on a beach in Asbury Park, New Jersey

New Jersey has over sixty beaches and about a hundred and thirty miles of them staring out along the Atlantic Ocean. Every year we flock to these beaches to experience a one-of-a-kind vacation in the garden state. No matter which beach we choose from Cape May up to Atlantic City to Point Pleasant Beach or Sandy Hook, the bright, hot, baking, ultraviolet rays of the sun have an adverse effect on our skin.

Two of the effects sunbathers have to endure are sunburn and sun poisoning. While most of us may believe that sun poisoning is worse than sunburn, neither is recommended by dermatologists. Additionally, many of us can’t confidently explain what the difference is between the two.

With assistance from an article by GoodRx, allow me to attempt to explain how they differ and what effects each has on our skin. There’s at least one thing that they have in common, and it’s that they are both totally preventable. It is recommended that we attempt to avoid either one of them whenever possible.

Let’s start with sunburn.

According to Registered Nurse Jewels Dosckizc, “If you have unprotected exposure to the sun, even on a cloudy day, a sunburn can develop. This is a common skin problem that causes red, itchy, or tender areas.” She cites that if anyone has ever had a sunburn at any time in their lives, it increases their risk of skin cancer. It’s important to know that even after all of the symptoms of a sunburn go away, the damage caused by the sun has an effect that does not go away. The symptoms of sunburn are redness, itchiness, pain, sensitivity, and warm skin.

Sun poisoning is worse.

In addition to the aforementioned sunburn symptoms, sun poisoning can also cause blistering, rash, swelling, fever, chills, dehydration, and many more unpleasant, unhealthy, and dangerous conditions. “Sun poisoning can be mistaken for the flu or an allergic reaction to something. If you aren’t certain what you’re experiencing, seek medical care.”

A few ways to avoid both conditions:

  • Avoid the sun during midday (10 am-2 pm) if at all possible.
  • Protect your skin with clothing and wear sunglasses
  • Use at least SPF 30 sunscreen
  • NEVER use tanning beds

I didn’t know that we should apply sunscreen at least thirty minutes before going out in the sun. You should also reapply it every two hours if you’re spending an extended amount of time in that fabulous Jersey sunshine.

 

2 New Jersey Destinations Among The Best For Solo Travel

There are some major benefits to taking a trip by yourself. The solitude gives you time to clear your mind and gather your thoughts. And it also enables you to create your own schedule, taking in the sights you set out for. Good Housekeeping published a report that details America’s best places for solo travel, and New Jersey was all over this list.

By The Numbers

In addition, Fifty Grande recently conducted a solo travel survey. They found that “52% of respondents said they planned to take a solo trip before the end of the year, and 64% of them planned to take that trip in America.” Furthermore, they found that 40% of those that participated in their survey answered “10” on a scale of 1-10 on how comfortable they were to travel alone. 83% said answered a 7 or above.

Other interesting items to note were 89% of the people had already taken a solo trip. The main reason was to “explore a new place and/or immerse in a local culture.” 22.9% said they traveled alone because it was “more fun when I’m 100% in control.”

Moreover, 52% of people plan on traveling solo before the end of the year. Much of that will be within the United States, Fifty Grande shows.

New Jersey is filled with areas that are prime for solo travel exploring. Of course, Atlantic City has a major nightlife scene. There are pristine golf courses all throughout the state, some of which are in close proximity to New York City (if you want to head in for dinner or a show). Finally, there are miles of beachside attractions along the Atlantic and historic sites deep in the heart of the Garden State. So, let’s take a look at the two New Jersey destinations that were named best for solo travel. They happen to over a hundred and thirty miles away from each other, and vastly different in terms of what you can explore there.

  • Princeton

    Home to the Ivy League Tigers, Good Housekeeping calls out the historic sites this central New Jersey town house to offer. “Princeton Battle Monument honors the battle fought and won by George Washington in 1777.” The University Art Museum and the Morven Museum and Garden often attract tourists from all over the world. Lastly, Carnegie Lake is one of the most serene spots in the state.

    Carnegie lake in Princeton, New Jersey featuring old bridge on the background

    Getty Images

  • Cape May

    “Spend your day wandering the cute shops, sunbathing at the beach or climbing the 199 steps to the top of Cape May Lighthouse in Cape May Pointe State Park,” Good Housekeeping suggest. Cape May draws a lot of visitors in the summer months. It’s very common that you will find families, couples, and solo travelers among them. In addition to one of the most beautiful lighthouses on the east coast, you can visit winery’s, theaters, safaris, or just rest along the shore of the beautiful beaches.

    Cape May branded Lifeboat on the beach with the ocean in the back

    Getty Images

 

Joel Katz is the Morning Show Personality, Assistant Program Director, Podcast Host, Voiceover artist, audio producer, and Digital Content Writer for Magic 98.3. Joel has been working in New Jersey radio since college and started at Magic in 2002 as the Morning Show Host, “I can’t think of another place where I’d fit more perfectly; it’s just a great company with awesome people.” Joel is married to Kathleen, his elementary school sweetheart (they were each other’s first dates at age 9), shares a birthday with his oldest son, Ty, and has twins, Kiera and Liam. Joel runs at least 3.1 miles every day and enjoys playing basketball, doing laundry, saving his turn signal for when he really needs it, kissing dogs through a fence, using coasters, making that cool noise by rubbing his fingers on balloons, and chasing after ping pong balls on a windy cruise ship.

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