Sunbed Shock

[SansaStark90]

I’ve been really stupid and gone on the sunbed for twenty minutes and the burns I’ve got - I’ve never seen skin as red. I’ve got like indents to my skin as though I’ve woken to stretch marks on my chest. Will these disappear? I’m in agony. I’ve never burnt and so didn’t know it could cause this kind of pain. I’m shaking shivering. I did this yesterday. Can someone reassure my health anxiety that these indents will all calm down?

Well, yes, if you tell 111 that you have 80% burns, they are rather likely to tell you to go to A&E, as that would be the sensible course of action. At the very least be aware that your skin barrier is impaired, and you're going to be losing fluid. You need to at the very least drink much more than normal, preferably with some electrolytes in some of it (like diarolyte).

Looks like it might be worth seeing your GP?

The OP said she'll be seeing her GP tomorrow.

30 years ago I went on one for longer than 20 mins and also burned,my one and only time. I am paying for it now with skin issues and have been treated for skin cancer and another one has come up recently. No idea why these salons are legal.

I’ve rang 111 and they’ve said a&e. I’ve had a heap of health problems. Spinal surgery etc. and not complained about the pain. I’m literally howling and deep breathing while shaking due to this pain. But I saw my mum today and she said no way do you go to a&e for a bit of sunburn. I may be an adult but she made me feel that silly that yes her opinion has put me off. So I posted on here hoping to hear the same and that my anxiety was telling me to go to a&e.

as they have told you to go are you going to head over there now? Take some water and wear some comfortable clothes

PLEASE go to A&E then. They will give you something for the pain as well as treating the burns. Never mind what your mother said.

You should never burn on a sunbed, so you’ve clearly gone against your skin type and tanning time, 20 minutes is unheard of !!!

Im sure you’re skin will sort its self of out in time but that is scary and dangerous. Unfortunately these places exist and you’ll have to educate yourself on what is safe and isn’t ! Did you not feel like it was too much and to get off the bed ?

OP, your mother has no idea how serious burns can be. Please Go to A&E, now. Your body desperately needs help and the doctors will give it. They won't care how you got burnt, but they will care about rescuing a system in dangerous shock.

I do honestly believe A&E would be best. I think you quite possibly need decent pain relief, fluids, and dressings for the worst patches.

I agree.

But it’s not a bit of sunburn. It’s a lot of what could be very bad burns. NHS website suggests urgent appointment if you are dizzy or shaky. Honestly go to A&E.
Have you been to your pharmacist at all?

Your mother is a fool.

Of course sunburn can require urgent treatment. Listen to 111

Could it have been the previous client used a tingle cream and that’s transferred onto your body ?

Hope you’re on your way OP.

You need to go OP, the good people of MN would soon hand your arse on a plate if they thought for one second you'd be wasting A&Es time, you're not...ignore your mother she's talking nonsense, please go...

Stop using would be safer

Look OP, I'm only saying this because I'm worried for you, but if there was ever going to be a time where you woman up and take action to try and mitigate a problem, surely that should be NOW while you're in the most pain you've ever experienced, you've introduced your pale skin to UV radiation for 20 solid minutes. You need to get medical help.

It'll won't be fun but face this problem head-on!

You'll only worry and wish you'd sought help earlier if you don't.

Go to A & E please. The sooner you get treatment for your burns the better.

Also genuinely worried for you after your update OP. I know a&e is awful, no-one wants to go there, but they'll be able to give you good pain relief and help. Please go if you haven't already.

Best of luck OP. You must be in so much pain! Go with your gut and go to A&E xxx

You won’t be the first person to rock up at A&E with sunburn. I had to go once in my twenties after getting badly burnt the day I came home from holiday - I needed my burn dressing everyday for a week, then I had to keep it moist for weeks. Better a wasted trip than suffering as the burn won’t have come out fully yet so if you can get it seen to they might be able to stop it.

Oh no I've jsut seen this, please say you've gone to A&E

A&E will have seen many sillier things OP (I promise you!).
You do need really good advice and probably treatment.

Hope you feel better soon.

I get that 5.5% might not sound huge, but that’s 1 in 20 people—which is honestly terrifying when you realise how deadly melanoma can be.

What people don’t always realize is that once melanoma metastasizes, it’s basically a death sentence. Survival rates drop dramatically, and treatment options become limited and brutal. This isn’t just about vanity or a temporary tan—it’s about gambling with your life. Prevention is the only real power we have here.

And for that reason I will be very blunt with OP. Sorry. I’m only sharing facts. Knowledge is power in my eyes.

What’s even more concerning is that just one use of a sunbed increases your melanoma risk by 20%.

Forgive me for not sugar coating. I have a relative who had her entire left ear surgically removed due to melanoma.