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?

Are you being serious? I should report the receptionist. But I’m being accused of being serious

First degree burn means red skin.
Second degree burn means blisters.
(Third degree means black/burned away all your skin including nerves, I don't think that's relevant there).

It sounds like you have a combination of first and second degree burns. I'm so sorry you received substandard healthcare. I usually find it helpful to bring a friend to advocate for me when I'm in pain. Please do consider going again but with a friend.

You would be surprised. I actually completely forgot about this until OP posted about the tomatoes.

When young and stupid a friend of mine leant on an old fashioned induction hob when plastered (I don’t know the name but the old hot metal plates one - not the modern heatless glass ones).

We all looked at her hand and were like holy Christ! That is going to be really bad. It was already puffing, white, welting within minutes.

Being in a foreign country and incredibly drunk she refused to seek healthcare. Instead passing out with her hand in a pan of water; which upon waking turned out to be a now watery unwashed pan of tomato ratatouille sauce.

And her hand looked like nothing had ever happened to it! I still don’t understand it tbh. But yes I think there probably is something about tomatoes actually.

Yes, was just about to ask…is anyone with you OP? To help you?

People are being blunt because they’re concerned about you and trying to persuade you to go back vs home remedies for small burns. the first visit sucked but just go back, rather than arguing the toss on here, get what treatment you need, it’s unlikely to be the same person and just advocate for yourself as best you can, write it in a text note in your phone if needed or take someone with you to explaining your shivering, the extend of the burbs etc

I am a fan of Burnshield and always have 6 sachets in the house. I keep the Hydrogel in as well.

I have had to replace these numerous times over the years. It's quite something if I think back to all the times we have needed them.

I think I have PTSD about burns, it stems back to when I was a teenager, my youngest brother, who was a toddler at the time, was burnt on 80% of body with 3rd degree burns. He was in hospital for a month.

I even use burnshield on sunburn.
It works so well and whenever I get the chance to, I ask people to get a few in to keep handy.

It doesn't matter how old the girl in the shop was - sunbeds can be dangerous and the staff need to be responsible, not leave it to clients to decide on times. Can you report this to someone? Also - get some medical advice.

Lycopene in tomato based products- particularly ketchup, soup, juice and tomato puree has some protective factors from UV rays. Consuming these products helps neutralise free radicals. I didn't know about applying directly to sunburn, but it stands to reason it would potentially help sun injury - probably not this severe case though.

Thank you! I mean I’ve somehow managed to feel doubly stupid for following this advice but when the receptionist said that her daughter used them on holiday and a pp recommended it, I thought usually people who live in hot countries have the best remedies so followed this advice.

Im going to go back to a&e.

Been thinking of you OP, really hoping it settles for you soon. You must be in so much pain. Really feel for you. Please be kind to yourself, you didn’t do this on purpose!

Yes I think you should go back. The chills / potential shock is the alarming thing about your case.

Dont take no for an answer! Goodluck 😊

Hi OP. Sorry to hear that you are suffering so badly. If the codeine isn't helping with the pain, I think you should go back to a&e and ask for another doctor. Depending how big the hospital is, it should have a burns and plastics department that they can liaise with. Lay it on thick with them that you feel really unwell and the pain isn't subsiding with painkillers. They should not let you leave in that much pain.

I hope you get seen properly this time at A and E. What a horrible situation to be in. Is someone coming with you, so they can support you and help you out if you feel you are not getting what you need? It is so horrible being in pain and being worried about your health. It makes it doubly hard to speak up for yourself x

I've been to hospital on more than one occasion for sunburn/sunstroke. Every single time I was placed on IV fluids.
As was my DD last year when she become unwell while whilst participating in a sport event.

So I was quite surprised when you were just sent away with some codiene

. Aloe vera gel, tepid bath and ibuprofen was my top tip for home remedies. Coming from a hot country dweller.

I hope 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.

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

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

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,

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

On my mums side, she has Ashkenazi and Romani ancestry, and my dad’s family are from Kildare. And that’s only what I know of, I’d love to know more!

I’m going to be more assertive. I do struggle but I need to do it. I said could you give me fluids and she said, so you are asking to be admitted? I said well not admit but just give me them. As I’m saying this I’m pulling my tshirt down to show him so I felt a numpty as he wasn’t asking me to do that. I tried. But I’m going to be blunt this time.

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

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.

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

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