A holidaymaker has issued a warning to anyone planning on enjoying the summer sun after experiencing sun poisoning. TikTok user @orlamcglynn travelled to Cornwall at the end of May on holiday when she noticed her face began to look a bit red.
Orla claimed she wasn't 'that badly burnt' but soon noticed the effects of the heat - in a TikTok video, she can be heard asking her friends if she "looked a bit burnt", reports CornwallLive. A little later, she described herself as "looking quite cute" after her face began to swell.
The swelling appeared to grow worse on her flight home. Orla proceeds to dab her face with a cloth, seemingly to soothe her skin.
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The swelling continued after Orla returned home, with both eyelids growing red and sore. The TikToker contacted NHS 111 for medical advice.
Her next video showed her in an NHS A&E waiting room, hiding her swollen eyes behind dark sunglasses. In the clip, her left eye was barely able to open. Back at home, Orla captioned one photo: "Jokes over now tears are forming." She has since urged others to wear suncream and to look after their skin.
According to WebMD, sun poisoning doesn't really mean you've been poisoned. It is often the term used for a severe case of sunburn. Severe sunburn can cause the following:
- Skin redness and blistering
- Pain and tingling
- Swelling
- Headache
- Fever and chills
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Dehydration
WebMD advises those suffering from the above symptoms to get out of the sun, take a cool (but not cold) shower and apply cool compresses to the affected area. You are also advised to drink extra fluids for a few days and take ibuprofen to relieve the pain. You should seek medical attention if the affected area begins to blister and swell or if you begin suffering from a fever, an upset stomach, a headache or begin experiencing signs of dehydration.
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