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What is sun poisoning? Condition caused woman's eye area to swell up on holiday

Orla McGlynn was told she was suffering from sun poisoning. (Orla McGlynn/SWNS)
Orla McGlynn was told she was suffering from sun poisoning. (Orla McGlynn/SWNS)

A woman has shared how she was left struggling to open her eyes after she experienced severe sun poisoning.

Orla McGlynn, 22, a waitress from Stockport says that as she was wearing SPF moisturiser she didn't apply suncream during a long weekend in Cornwall.

The first sign that she was unwell came when McGlynn noticed the area around her left eye became badly inflamed, which she initially put down to tiredness.

"I woke up feeling a bit swollen, but I just thought that was normal morning tiredness," she says. "But I flew home later that day and it just got worse. It took two days to really come up."

Read more: A complete guide to sun protection and SPFs, after Hugh Jackman reveals new skin cancer scare, Yahoo Life UK, 7-min read

McGlynn's severe sunburn left her with a swollen face. (Orla McGlynn/SWNS)
McGlynn's severe sunburn left her with a swollen face. (Orla McGlynn/SWNS)

Following a trip to the hospital, McGlynn was given antihistamines and ibuprofen and advised to wear sunglasses.

"I'm back to normal now," she says of the experience. "It took about three days to clear up and I had to wear my sunglasses whilst waitressing at the pub!"

McGlynn has some simple advice to others to help them avoid suffering from the same condition: "Wear suncream," she adds.

Read more: Skin cancer survivor: Mum who never sunbathes has two tumours removed from her face, Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read

More sun poisoning warnings

The waitress isn't the only person to warn of the dangers of sun poisoning recently. Earlier this year, a woman went viral on TikTok after claiming she had developed the condition.

Her video depicted a series of photos of her condition progressively worsening. In one slide, the woman's forehead is visibly swollen and in another, the swelling has spread to both of her eyes.

"Went for a nap and woke up to both of my eyes swollen," she added, alongside a photo of her inflamed face. "Both of my eyes were shut and I couldn't see anything."

Towards the end of the TikTok, the woman shared photos of the skin on her face which had started to peel after a few days, and reminded viewers to always wear sunscreen.

What is sun poisoning?

Sun poisoning is extreme sunburn which occurs when the skin is exposed to intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds.

Dr Ross Perry, medical director of Cosmedics skin clinics says it is very different than feeling just sunburnt or having sun stroke and tends to happen a few hours after long periods of sun exposure.

Symptoms of sun poisoning

  • nausea

  • headaches

  • severe dehydration

  • red inflamed skin

  • a fever - feeling hot and cold

  • blisters

"You can also develop a severe rash, feel lightheaded and on occasions faint," Dr Perry adds.

Although not strictly a medical term, Dr Perry says sun poisoning is deemed as the worst type of sun reaction you can get and is due to exposure from UV rays.

Aside from not protecting yourself well enough in the sun, this also happens when you are severely dehydrated.

Depending on the severity, sun poisoning can last several days or even weeks.

If you’re experiencing any signs of an infection such as crusting, bleeding, or open skin Dr Perry says it is best to seek medical attention.

"Sun poisoning tends to affect individuals with fairer skin than those with a medium to olive skin tone," he adds.

How to avoid sun poisoning

  • Keep well protected from the harmful rays by wearing an SPF of at least 30 all year round.

  • Avoid excess sun exposure, particularly in the midday sun

  • Seek shade

  • Wear appropriate loose fitting clothing, a hat and sunglasses

  • Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of fluid

Read more: Former sunbed user left with bald patch after skin cancer created hole in scalp, Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read

Treatment for sun poisoning

  • Cold baths

  • Cold compresses

  • Steroids

  • Antibiotics

  • Ibuprofen for pain

  • In severe case scenarios IV fluids for dehydration

Watch: One in five millennials and Gen Xers didn’t wear sunscreen as teens