Life Tips 24/06/2025 00:47

Left with third-degree bu::rns and unable to walk for a week, a woman recounts her major mistake: "I'll never forget this."

Woman left with third-degree burns and unable to walk for a week reveals her major mistake: ‘I’ll never forget this’
Chasing a Sun-Kissed Glow? It Could Land You in the Hospital
Planning to soak up some summer rays? You may want to think again.
One woman’s sunny day adventure took a terrifying turn, leaving her with third-degree burns so severe she couldn’t walk for a week.
Taylor Faith (@.taylorfaith) shared her harrowing story on TikTok, warning others of a painful mistake she’ll never forget. Heading out for a paddle boarding session, she realized too late that she had run out of sunscreen. Rather than stopping to buy more, she figured she’d just end up with a bit of a tan — or at worst, a light sunburn.
But after spending eight full hours under direct sun on the water, her legs were severely burned. She ended up in the hospital, where doctors diagnosed her with a rare and dangerous third-degree sunburn — the most severe kind, affecting all layers of the skin and often requiring emergency care.

“I never thought something like this could happen to me — until it did,” she wrote in a follow-up comment.
“It got so bad I actually wished I wasn’t alive to feel it.”

What Makes Third-Degree Sunburns So Serious?
According to the Mayo Clinic, sunburns occur when ultraviolet (UV) radiation penetrates the skin deeply enough to damage cells. The body reacts with inflammation, which causes the red, painful symptoms most of us recognize.
While minor burns generally heal on their own in a few days, third-degree burns are far more serious. The Cleveland Clinic warns they can destroy nerve endings, sweat glands, blood vessels, hair follicles, and even muscle tissue.
Victims may also suffer from heat-related illnesses such as dizziness, confusion, nausea, rapid breathing, fever, muscle cramps, and extreme fatigue. Taylor reported being violently ill for hours after her sun exposure.

“My internal organs and blood vessels were seriously affected,” she said.
“I’ve definitely learned my lesson — I think I’m about to become a sunscreen advocate.”

The Lasting Effects of Severe Sunburns
While the immediate pain of sunburn can subside, the long-term effects are far more concerning. Frequent sun damage accelerates skin aging, leading to early wrinkles, sagging, uneven pigmentation, broken capillaries, and a coarse, leathery texture.
Even more alarming, repeated burns increase the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, one of the deadliest forms. The risk is especially high for burns sustained during childhood and adolescence.
Who’s Most at Risk?
Anyone can be affected by UV damage, but certain individuals are more vulnerable:
  • People with fair skin, freckles, blue eyes, or light-colored hair

  • Those who frequently tan or use indoor tanning beds

  • Individuals living at high elevations or closer to the equator

  • People who spend extended time outdoors for sports, swimming, or work

Smart Sun Protection: What You Can Do
Protecting yourself doesn’t mean avoiding the sun completely. According to the FDA, you can reduce your risk of sunburn by:
  • Limiting sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when UV rays are strongest

  • Wearing sun-protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses

  • Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher

  • Applying sunscreen generously to all exposed areas — including ears, lips, neck, feet, hands, and scalp if your hair is thinning

  • Reapplying sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently if swimming or sweating

Most adults need about one ounce of sunscreen (roughly a shot glass) to fully protect their skin.
If You Already Have a Burn…
“You can’t undo sun damage, but you can help your skin recover,” says Dr. Edwin Kuffner, chief medical officer at Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.
He suggests:
  • Taking cool baths or showers for relief

  • Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids

  • Using over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen to ease discomfort

  • Keeping the skin moisturized, especially with aloe vera gel

If you must be outside with sunburn, it’s generally okay to apply sunscreen to non-blistered areas, but avoid applying to open or raw skin.
Taylor’s painful ordeal serves as a stark reminder that the sun is more powerful than we often realize. A little prevention goes a long way — don’t skip the sunscreen.

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