Sunbed Shock

Hi, hoping you have taken people's advice and asked for some help. Even if you're too embarrassed to go to A&E, you could ring 111; they can either advise you on self care or tell you if you really need to be seen. Please just get some medical advice.

Have you taken some paracetamol for pain relief? I think aloe vera and natural yogurt are recommended to get the heat out of the skin. Tepid water, not cold applied to the skin too. The shivering that you describe does sound like you have heat stroke.

Hi @SansaStark90
Firstly, you made a mistake and you won’t do it again!
I had similar many years ago in my early 20’s. It was like sunburn; it burnt, hot to touch and eventually calmed and the skin peeled.
15 years+ later I’m still here and no long term health effects.
Keep yourself and the skin hydrated x

I had no idea that you could just set your own times on these.

When I used one some years ago-about 30+! the timer was set for you & you had a book that t was written into!

Please just go and get seen at the hospital op. They are not there to judge you, burns can be so dangerous.

Also, DO NOT POP THE BLISTERS!! No matter how tempted you are, don’t do it. It will introduce infection

It's good that you are taking responsibility for your actions, but the blame doesn't entirely lie at your feet. The shop staff have a responsibility to provide accurate and safe advice, and to keep you safe. Especially as a first time user. Regardless of whether or not the member of staff was a young, inexperienced person. You should absolutely be letting the shop owners know.

Head to urgent care / A&E.

I'm not medical. But for burns....

Drink lots of water. Take a cool shower- pat your skin dry- do not rub with a towel it will hurt. Your skin will be hot. It will feel tight. If you scratch, it will hurt. Don't put creams on til after you have seen Dr. Dress in loose fitting clothes. Avoid waistbands as this will hurt.

The little white dots are part of the blistering process. So you will need to go to Dr as they will show you how to dress them and prevent infection. If you are worried about scarring - I would go to the Dr now to know how to treat (and importantly to assess for sunstroke / dehydration).

She shouldn't be going at all - and neither should you!

OP with Irish skin you should be going for 6-9mins max. I’m extremely pale and even 6m makes me uncomfortable. I’m amazed how you actually lasted inside that long. But I’m not going to lecture you as you’ve had enough of that.

I will absolutely direct you to a doctor of some sort. That’s bad.

Christ get yourself some medical attention asap OP. You’ve literally burnt your skin so badly it’s gonna blister. You’ve will need medical attention

Sunbeds should be banned in my opinion. Stupid things

Someone who has severe health anxiety wouldn't go and sit on a sunbed for 20 minutes, surely?

It's also not about freaking her out - melanoma in particular is really hard to spot and can be fatal, she needs to know what to look for and what kind of danger she's put herself in.

You need to call 111. I thought 5-6 minutes was the standard amount even for already tanned skin!

Oh my god. What is wrong with people. Anyone who uses a sunbed is an idiot.

I used to go on these things in my early 20’s for around 20 minutes a time after I’d built up to it. That was in the 80’s though. Don’t think I would now.

You’re a worrier yet you actively choose to sit on a known cause of skin cancer? Hilarious.

Yes to this. Pour after sun on and as soon as it’s absorbed put more on. Just keep going. Your skin will drink it up. I have burnt too many times.

20 minutes! Jeez! Even when I was a seasoned sunbed user the most I did was 12. (Having worked up from 6 on my first go) They shouldn’t have even let you do that!

Show me?

I was just thinking this. There is no good that can come from these awful machines. They are so dangerous and unregulated that’s it’s shocking they haven’t been banned.

I say this as someone who used them in their late teens, early 20’s. I once went on twice in one day, stupid cow.

So show me your proof then. That no one with health anxiety ever went on a sunbed ever…..

sorry to hear about your husband. My friend is going through the same thing. From going on sunbeds also.

Please, everyone who's had even one serious burn (sunbed or actual sun) - keep vigilant for signs of skin cancer. Every burn raises the risk of serious harm.

I had one bad burn once (on holiday somewhere cool and windy but really sunny) and I think it's affected my skin for life. (I'm really pale).

So sorry to hear that x

Well it’s a fact. Anyone concerned about their health will worry about skin cancer. My DH is currently dying from melanoma. He has never used a sunbed.

Of course the salon should be taking responsibility, it sounds like a very big fail on their behalf not to have questioned the amount of time the OP was on a sun bed. I just don’t understand why customers aren’t asked to fill in a questionnaire to ascertain an exact timing, the shop should be reported for neglect, they have duty of care to their customers and OP when you’re feeling better please follow it up.
As for now I hope you’re seeking medical help and that you can get the proper treatment for your burns.