Friday, June 01, 2012
Friday, September 17, 2010 Michelle asks

Q: Second Degree Sunburns

I went to Bear Lake 6 weeks ago Saturday and was only out in the sun Actinic keratosis Fontanelles - sunken Liver spots Sun protection Sunburn Sunburn first aid Sunken fontanelles (superior view) for 3-4 hours. I used SPF 50 twice Twice-a-day and thought I'd be ok. The next morning I woke up with horrible pain in my legs and nausea that led to vomiting, dizziness, fever and exhaustion. The leg pain was so bad that 4 Ibuprofen Ibuprofen overdose Ibuprofen Ibuprofen childrens Ibuprofen dye free Ibuprofen ib Ibuprofen infant's drops Ibuprofen-hydrocodone Ibuprofen-oxycodone Ibuprofen-oxycodone hydrochloride Ibuprofen-pseudoephedrine every 8 hours barely touched it. When I got out of bed and all the blood rushes to my legs it was so painful that all I can do was cry. I consider myself a fairly tough person (when I had a gallbladder attack I didn't even cry), but I could barely walk. It literally took me 40 minutes to stand up out of bed. I asked my doctor and he said for deep second degree sunburns it just takes time and that I should be patient. Well my legs are still bright red slightly swollen and painful and are highly sensitive. What should I do? I've been putting lotion and aloe on them but they are still peeling and starting to itch but it hurts to try and scratch them. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for your time!
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Answers (1)
Merely Me, Health Guide
10/ 2/10 12:59pm

Hello Michelle

 

I am so sorry this happened!  It sounds like you had symptoms of sun poisoning. 

 

How are you feeling now?...I know some time has passed since you wrote this. 

 

I would definitely ask your doctor about ways to prevent this from happening again.  It seems maybe you are very sensitive to the sun.  Are you taking any medications which can make you more photosensitive?

 

Let us know how you are doing.  Thank you for your question.

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10/ 2/10 3:17pm

Thanks! I'm feeling much better now, although it's taken more than 2 months.  I have some scarring and my legs are still really red (about the same color as when I received the burn), and turn splotchy purple when I get cold. It's kind of weird.  They are still super sensitive.  I do have fair skin that freckles and a little bit of natural orange in my hair. I am taking a couple medications, but my doctor said they shouldn't have caused any sun sensitivity.  Is the discoloration and sensitivity something I'm going to have forever?

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By Michelle— Last Modified: 12/27/10, First Published: 09/17/10