Sunbed Shock

Really sorry you’re going through this. Self inflicted or not makes no difference, every single one of us has does something daft. Hopefully in a few days the worst will have passed.

I feel for you OP. I am white as a ghost so couldn’t tan if I tried. If I am not wearing factor 1000 I burn quickly. So clearly, even though I generally very very careful, I have ben caught out when the weather is cloudy but the UV is high. I have been burnt pretty badly and had sunstroke. I always feel like a complete idiot when I have done it to myself when I know to be more careful. We all do stupid things sometimes. The pain is crazy. I remember just having a cool soaked towel over me at night for about a week. It does pass though. Just don’t get go use a sunbed again. They just aren’t worth it. Go for a fake spray.

@BloominNora Thanks so much for explaining the statistics. I too get annoyed by how statistics get misinterpreted (even the BBC does it!) and then people spread scare stories. It's good to learn the truth.

OP I hope you are back at A&E or will be there shortly. I hope you are safe as you sound very poorly. Please do not leave without proper treatment. You can do this - you have got to.

No, not cold water! Cool or lukewarm water

OP. Look at the advice on the NHS website or follow the instructions from 111, not randoms on Mumsnet

I spent a week at the beach in California with my relatives when I was 12 - we’d pack a big cooler and play in the surf all day.
And as a reward I got the worst sunburn of my life and spent every night vomiting.
And then every day we’d be back on the beach, playing in the surf.
I never got skin cancer - I don’t know why.
There’s nothing wrong with your skin colour as it is. Don’t risk everything to change it.

OP I'm from a very hot country with harsh UV. One of the worst. If your skin is at the stage of large blistering or large areas of swelling you must go back to A&E because you are at risk of infection which is the killer. If you believe you have sunstroke or are in shock you must go back to A&E.

If not, fluid and rest. Your first image looked like average southern hemisphere sunburn but you describe something different.

Also, for burns, a gentle COLD shower. 20 minutes of cold running water, gentle pat dry if possible and if skin has been burnt where the epidermis is exposed then cling film wrapped over exposed areas is essential to prevent infection.

That's it OP. The rest ignore, but going back to A&E would help your anxiety if nothing else.

I’m so sorry you’re in so much pain with this 😬. Just to give my experience…I got incredibly burnt having PUVA light treatment for my psoriasis many years ago (basically uva light unit and you take a tablet to make you more sensitive to it).. it was all time monitored at the hospital but on one occasion my thighs got so burnt I could barely move my legs. I can’t imagine having that level of burn all over ☹️. Definitely go to a&e to get it checked over especially if you’re feeling unwell with it. Hope you feel better very soon

Irish heritage and workhouse white here and rarely burn. Rarely tan but rarely burn. I have family members who burn within minutes. I swear by petroleum jelly and ice packs on burns ( and I know my stuff because I am accident prone). A nurse told me it is a good treatment but they don't recommend it anymore because it's flammable and there were incidents with cigarettes.

Are you safe to make your way to A&E? You sound very ill.

I hope you get better treatment this time x

OP, I agree - do go back to A&E. You'll probably see someone different. Surely they have treatment for burns and some pain relief.

Feel very sorry for you! I would not have known about 20 mins either.

Thank you for this.
As someone who used sunbeds many years ago when I was very young (but hasn’t been on one for over 20 years), this thread has really triggered my health anxiety. Thank you for this interpretation of the statistics. Im going to stop reading the thread now before something else frightens me to death!

Sending a virtual hug OP. I know you say you feel like you've been 'doubly stupid' but you come across as a really lovely person (ok, one that shouldn't have done 20 mins on the beds but what's done is done and you live and learn).

please be kind to yourself. Hoping you get some better and more consistent care this time xxx

Hi @SansaStark90 , sorry you’re going through such a rough time of it. I hope A&E is a more effective experience this time.

my daughter experienced a severe burn and she was treated by the plastics department. They used Vaseline under the dressings. I’m not suggest you spread this everywhere but on the more severe patches this might be helpful

That looks really painful, OP. I second (third) the suggestion of Aloe Vera gel. I found it helped take the heat out of the sunburn. I had a tepid bath, air-dried myself, then spread the Aloe Vera gel over the affected area.

Hello - another poster suggested writing it down. Could you try that - write how you feel and what your body looks like and what you’d like to happen. Then if you feel overwhelmed you can read it out or hand it over. Of If I get teary or frustrated I find it hard to get my words out.

good luck and keep us updated. I hope you get treated

I'm so relieved that you're going back to A&E. 🙂

Oh and if you have super dark eyes I’m going to guess Ashkenazi Jew on the genes. My partners family is exactly like you describe. Super white, dark hair, but any sun and they look darker than Greek with no burning - even Egyptian coloured. Just white to deep brown. Not the white, red, light tan brown, peeling skin journey that my Celtic skin goes through,

Good luck OP, I hope you get proper help this time.

Glad you’re going back OP.
I hope you get better care this time and that you feel better soon.

Im going to go back to a&e.

Good. Write things down if you think that will help you advocate for yourself.