‘Traumatised' mum watches doctors ‘peel' her screaming daughter's ‘erupting, bleeding skin' after SPF mistake
Lauren McMaster, 30, was enjoying the sun in her mum's back yard in Luton, Bedfordshire, while her six-year-old
Paisley
McMaster played in the
pool
on July 5.
12
Paisley McMaster, 6, got badly sunburned while playing in the pool on July 5
Credit: Kennedy News
12
The tot's skin broke out in large, pus-filled blisters
Credit: Kennedy News
12
The tot was rushed to hospital where her blistered skin had to be 'peeled' off
Credit: Kennedy News
12
Her mum Lauren McMaster, 30, said she was 'traumatised' by the experience
Credit: Kennedy News
Lauren said her daughter was running in and out of the house so she wasn't in the sun for too long, but the mum still made sure to
She even placed an umbrella over the pool when it got to midday, when the sun is the hottest.
Lauren normally dresses Paisley in a t-shirt to avoid the sun, but she let the youngster try out her new swimsuit - which exposed her shoulders to the sun's rays more than usual.
The mum chose
Read more on sun safety
Later that day, Lauren noticed the tot's shoulders, back and chest were red.
Early the following morning, a "horrified" Lauren woke up to Paisley screaming - her sunburn had worsened and she erupted in "painful"
The mum-of-two took Paisley to Luton and Dunstable Hospital the
next
day where doctors had to burst her blisters and "peel" her skin off.
She describes the ordeal as the "worst experience of her life" and is warning other parents to keep children covered up in the sun.
Most read in Health
"Put clothes on them, do your research," the mum said.
Lauren, from Glasgow, Scotland, said: "We were in Luton at my mum's, in the garden, and she was in and out, it wasn't like she was out all day.
I laid on the beach for just ONE hour but the sunburn was brutal and left me looking like a wasp-stung dog - don't make my mistake
"She was inside watching telly, playing on her iPad and then she was out in the pool with her cousins.
"She wanted to wear her new swimming costume and I said you can wear it for a little while but then she had a swimming top.
"I put sun cream on her every half hour to 45 minutes, because she's ginger. I've always been worried about this happening, but we've been on holiday to Spain and she didn't get like this.
"I put an umbrella over the pool around the middle of the day because I know that's the hottest time of the day.
12
Paisley was 'hysterical and screaming' as she had her blistered skin removed
Credit: Kennedy News
12
The tot begged to go home while it was happening
Credit: Kennedy News
12
She was later covered up in bandages
Credit: Kennedy News
12
It could take up to two years for Paisley's skin to recover
Credit: Kennedy News
"When she was in the shower, I noticed she was a bit red so I put some after sun on her and then got her ready in her pyjamas.
"She woke up at 4am just screaming in pain and the
"The next day the blisters started, very little, and the blisters started forming together to make a bigger blister.
"I called 111 and they called me back the next morning and told me to take her to hospital."
The mum watched horrified as medics removed Paisley's burnt and blistered skin.
"They literally just pinched [blisters] and pulled them from her skin.
"It was the most traumatic thing I've ever watched, it was horrendous.
"They had to rub her skin down, to scrape her skin off.
12
Paisley's skin now looks like she has 'really bad eczema'
Credit: Kennedy News
12
Lauren said the tot would be spending the rest of the summer indoors
Credit: Kennedy News
"She was hysterical, screaming. It was the worst experience of my life, I wouldn't wish that upon my worst enemy. She was begging for them to stop and go home.
"Even touching the sunburn was hurting her so scraping down her skin was the worst experience.
"They had to put plasters on her wounds because the air hitting them was making them worse."
The next morning, Paisley had to return to hospital and her skin started 'bleeding' as doctors reportedly continued to remove and wash her skin.
Sun protection tips
Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn does not just happen on holiday - you can burn in the UK, even when it's cloudy.
There's no safe or healthy way to get a tan. A tan does not protect your skin from the sun's harmful effects.
Aim to spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest. In the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October.
Make sure you:
Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm
Never burn
Cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses
Take extra care with children
Use at least factor 30 sunscreen
Most people don't apply enough sunscreen - adults should aim to apply around six to eight teaspoons of sunscreen if you're covering your entire body.
If sunscreen is applied too thinly, the amount of protection it gives is reduced.
If you plan to be out in the sun long enough to risk burning, sunscreen needs to be applied twice:
30 minutes before going out
Just before going out
Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed skin, including the face, neck and ears, and head if you have thinning or no hair, but a wide-brimmed hat is better.
It needs to be reapplied liberally and frequently, and according to the manufacturer's instructions.
This includes applying it straight after you have been in water, even if it's "water resistant", and after towel drying, sweating or when it may have rubbed off.
It's also recommended to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, as the sun can dry it off your skin.
Source:
NHS
Lauren said: "I took her back and they took the plasters off and started ripping her skin off again, she started bleeding.
"They had to wash it and clean it, put different bandages on her.
"They then started to rip her skin off and she was screaming, she was begging for a break.
"At one point I had to say, I can't watch this anymore, you're really traumatising her."
The sun will never see her skin ever again
Lauren McMaster
Paisley was then referred to the Broomfield Hospital burns unit in Essex.
There, the tot was seen by a plastic surgeon who was able to remove her blisters using scissors.
"A plastic surgeon came and he got some scissors, made a little hole and just let the liquid pour out and then cut the blister with the scissors and she was much calmer that way."
The mum said Paisley is now doing better but it could take up to two years for her skin to return to normal.
How to care for sunburn safely
WE should all avoid getting burnt in the sun as it can cause skin cancer.
But if you do get burnt this summer, it's important to take care of your skin safely.
Your skin will likely feel hot to the touch, be sore and painful, and flake or peel after a few days. If your burn is severe, your skin may also blister.
According to the NHS, the best ways to ease
Get out of the sun as soon as possible
Cool your skin with a cool shower, bath or damp towel (take care not to let a baby or young child get too cold)
Apply aftersun cream or spray
Drink plenty of water to cool down and prevent dehydration
Take painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for any pain
Cover sunburnt skin from direct sunlight until skin has fully healed
You should also avoid using petroleum jelly, putting ice or ice packs directly on sunburnt skin, popping blisters, scratching or trying to remove peeling skin and tight-fitting clothing.
Most of the time, sunburn can be treated at home. But you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if you've been out in the sun and:
Your skin is blistered or swollen
Your temperature is very high, or you feel hot and shivery
You feel very tired, dizzy and sick
You have a headache and muscle cramps
Your baby or young child has sunburn
Severe sunburn can lead to heat exhaustion and
Source: NHS
"It looks like really bad
eczema
, she has to be out of the sun for two years, always protected.
"I said the sun will never see her skin ever again," Lauren said.
"She is just happy she can move and that she is not blistered."
Lauren vowed to keep Paisley indoors this
summer
to protect her skin.
"It's been hot and she's not allowed to go in the sun, she has to be covered up. We just stay in and play games," she said.
12
Lauren warned other parents to take extra care with protecting their kids from the sun
Credit: Kennedy News
12
Paisley 'is just happy she can move and that she is not blistered'
Credit: Kennedy News
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The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Traumatised' mum watches doctors ‘peel' her screaming daughter's ‘erupting, bleeding skin' after SPF mistake
A "TRAUMATISED" mum had watch doctors peel off her daughter's skin after the tot got so badly sunburned, her skin erupted in giant yellow blisters. Lauren McMaster, 30, was enjoying the sun in her mum's back yard in Luton, Bedfordshire, while her six-year-old Paisley McMaster played in the pool on July 5. 12 Paisley McMaster, 6, got badly sunburned while playing in the pool on July 5 Credit: Kennedy News 12 The tot's skin broke out in large, pus-filled blisters Credit: Kennedy News 12 The tot was rushed to hospital where her blistered skin had to be 'peeled' off Credit: Kennedy News 12 Her mum Lauren McMaster, 30, said she was 'traumatised' by the experience Credit: Kennedy News Lauren said her daughter was running in and out of the house so she wasn't in the sun for too long, but the mum still made sure to She even placed an umbrella over the pool when it got to midday, when the sun is the hottest. Lauren normally dresses Paisley in a t-shirt to avoid the sun, but she let the youngster try out her new swimsuit - which exposed her shoulders to the sun's rays more than usual. The mum chose Read more on sun safety Later that day, Lauren noticed the tot's shoulders, back and chest were red. Early the following morning, a "horrified" Lauren woke up to Paisley screaming - her sunburn had worsened and she erupted in "painful" The mum-of-two took Paisley to Luton and Dunstable Hospital the next day where doctors had to burst her blisters and "peel" her skin off. She describes the ordeal as the "worst experience of her life" and is warning other parents to keep children covered up in the sun. Most read in Health "Put clothes on them, do your research," the mum said. Lauren, from Glasgow, Scotland, said: "We were in Luton at my mum's, in the garden, and she was in and out, it wasn't like she was out all day. I laid on the beach for just ONE hour but the sunburn was brutal and left me looking like a wasp-stung dog - don't make my mistake "She was inside watching telly, playing on her iPad and then she was out in the pool with her cousins. "She wanted to wear her new swimming costume and I said you can wear it for a little while but then she had a swimming top. "I put sun cream on her every half hour to 45 minutes, because she's ginger. I've always been worried about this happening, but we've been on holiday to Spain and she didn't get like this. "I put an umbrella over the pool around the middle of the day because I know that's the hottest time of the day. 12 Paisley was 'hysterical and screaming' as she had her blistered skin removed Credit: Kennedy News 12 The tot begged to go home while it was happening Credit: Kennedy News 12 She was later covered up in bandages Credit: Kennedy News 12 It could take up to two years for Paisley's skin to recover Credit: Kennedy News "When she was in the shower, I noticed she was a bit red so I put some after sun on her and then got her ready in her pyjamas. "She woke up at 4am just screaming in pain and the "The next day the blisters started, very little, and the blisters started forming together to make a bigger blister. "I called 111 and they called me back the next morning and told me to take her to hospital." The mum watched horrified as medics removed Paisley's burnt and blistered skin. "They literally just pinched [blisters] and pulled them from her skin. "It was the most traumatic thing I've ever watched, it was horrendous. "They had to rub her skin down, to scrape her skin off. 12 Paisley's skin now looks like she has 'really bad eczema' Credit: Kennedy News 12 Lauren said the tot would be spending the rest of the summer indoors Credit: Kennedy News "She was hysterical, screaming. It was the worst experience of my life, I wouldn't wish that upon my worst enemy. She was begging for them to stop and go home. "Even touching the sunburn was hurting her so scraping down her skin was the worst experience. "They had to put plasters on her wounds because the air hitting them was making them worse." The next morning, Paisley had to return to hospital and her skin started 'bleeding' as doctors reportedly continued to remove and wash her skin. Sun protection tips Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn does not just happen on holiday - you can burn in the UK, even when it's cloudy. There's no safe or healthy way to get a tan. A tan does not protect your skin from the sun's harmful effects. Aim to spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest. In the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October. Make sure you: Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm Never burn Cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses Take extra care with children Use at least factor 30 sunscreen Most people don't apply enough sunscreen - adults should aim to apply around six to eight teaspoons of sunscreen if you're covering your entire body. If sunscreen is applied too thinly, the amount of protection it gives is reduced. If you plan to be out in the sun long enough to risk burning, sunscreen needs to be applied twice: 30 minutes before going out Just before going out Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed skin, including the face, neck and ears, and head if you have thinning or no hair, but a wide-brimmed hat is better. It needs to be reapplied liberally and frequently, and according to the manufacturer's instructions. This includes applying it straight after you have been in water, even if it's "water resistant", and after towel drying, sweating or when it may have rubbed off. It's also recommended to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, as the sun can dry it off your skin. Source: NHS Lauren said: "I took her back and they took the plasters off and started ripping her skin off again, she started bleeding. "They had to wash it and clean it, put different bandages on her. "They then started to rip her skin off and she was screaming, she was begging for a break. "At one point I had to say, I can't watch this anymore, you're really traumatising her." The sun will never see her skin ever again Lauren McMaster Paisley was then referred to the Broomfield Hospital burns unit in Essex. There, the tot was seen by a plastic surgeon who was able to remove her blisters using scissors. "A plastic surgeon came and he got some scissors, made a little hole and just let the liquid pour out and then cut the blister with the scissors and she was much calmer that way." The mum said Paisley is now doing better but it could take up to two years for her skin to return to normal. How to care for sunburn safely WE should all avoid getting burnt in the sun as it can cause skin cancer. But if you do get burnt this summer, it's important to take care of your skin safely. Your skin will likely feel hot to the touch, be sore and painful, and flake or peel after a few days. If your burn is severe, your skin may also blister. According to the NHS, the best ways to ease Get out of the sun as soon as possible Cool your skin with a cool shower, bath or damp towel (take care not to let a baby or young child get too cold) Apply aftersun cream or spray Drink plenty of water to cool down and prevent dehydration Take painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for any pain Cover sunburnt skin from direct sunlight until skin has fully healed You should also avoid using petroleum jelly, putting ice or ice packs directly on sunburnt skin, popping blisters, scratching or trying to remove peeling skin and tight-fitting clothing. Most of the time, sunburn can be treated at home. But you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if you've been out in the sun and: Your skin is blistered or swollen Your temperature is very high, or you feel hot and shivery You feel very tired, dizzy and sick You have a headache and muscle cramps Your baby or young child has sunburn Severe sunburn can lead to heat exhaustion and Source: NHS "It looks like really bad eczema , she has to be out of the sun for two years, always protected. "I said the sun will never see her skin ever again," Lauren said. "She is just happy she can move and that she is not blistered." Lauren vowed to keep Paisley indoors this summer to protect her skin. "It's been hot and she's not allowed to go in the sun, she has to be covered up. We just stay in and play games," she said. 12 Lauren warned other parents to take extra care with protecting their kids from the sun Credit: Kennedy News 12 Paisley 'is just happy she can move and that she is not blistered' Credit: Kennedy News
The Irish Sun
16-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
My £280-a-day ketamine habit left me peeing every 2 seconds, plagued by ‘ket cramps' and passing out in the bath
DANIELLE Littlewood was just 19 when she tried ketamine for the first time - a drug that would soon turn her world upside down. "I watched ket take everything from my life," the 21-year-old from Southport, Merseyside, said. Advertisement 6 Danielle says ketamine 'took everything' Credit: Kennedy News 6 The ex-party girl warns the drug left her in crippling pain Credit: Kennedy News 6 Danielle was using two bags of ket a day at her lowest point Credit: Kennedy News "It took my car [and] it ruined a lot of relationships because I couldn't pay anyone back." The former party girl revealed the left her desperate for the toilet "every two seconds". She was often confined to the bath for hours on end to ease 'ket cramps', where she would sometimes pass out. "I couldn't get changed, couldn't move, constantly laying on the bathroom floor shaking," Danielle said, recalling the peak of her addiction. Advertisement "Once I fell asleep and woke up to the bathtub nearly overflowing," she added. 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'The pain was like someone stabbing me' Just three months later, Danielle was rushed to hospital with 'ket cramps', stabbing, excruciating stomach pains. 'It was the worst pain I've ever felt,' she explained. 'I couldn't wee, I was in the bath constantly, I was on the toilet all the time. Advertisement 6 The 21-year-old says she was 'always ketted' — even at the shops Credit: Kennedy News 6 She couldn't go more than seconds without needing the loo Credit: Kennedy News 'I had to crawl from the shower to my bed. "For days, I was stuck in bed. I tried to control the pain with paracetamol and a hot water bottle.' Advertisement As her tolerance grew, Danielle needed more ketamine to feel the same effect, pushing her to take two bags a day, spending £280 a week. By then, she was 'constantly on the toilet, every two seconds.' 'My bladder couldn't hold much at all," she said. "As soon as I had a drink, I had to rush straight to the toilet.' THE TOLL 'K' TAKES ON YOUR BODY KETAMINE can lead to death by putting pressure on the heart and respiratory system. But its other effects on the body, which are often irreversible, are horrifying, too. 'Ketamine bladder syndrome is one of the worst symptoms,' Dr Catherine Carney, an addiction specialist at This is where the breakdown of ketamine in the body causes inflammation in the bladder wall. It leaves people unable to hold urine and passing chunks of their bladder tissue. Some users face the prospect of having their bladders removed entirely. Dr Carney explains: 'The lining of the bladder can shrink over time and be extremely painful for those experiencing it. 'This can often lead to lower abdominal pain and pain when passing urine, as well as bleeding. 'It's usually what has forced people to get help because they can't tolerate it any more. 'We've had young men in agony, wetting the bed. 'Their whole life is focused on where there's a toilet because they can only hold urine for ten minutes. 'For a teenager or someone in their early 20s, that's absolutely life-changing. 'In some cases, the bladder damage progresses to the kidneys and people get kidney failure, too. 'This is developing in people who have been using for two years, so it is relatively quick.' Dr Carney adds that the urine samples of new guests checking into the clinic are often just a 'pot of blood'. This is followed by weeks of agony coming off the drug. An irony of ketamine use is people tend to take more and more to numb the pain of the side-effects it causes. Dr Carney says: 'There's nothing that we can give which is as strong as a medical anaesthetic (the ketamine). We can use codeine-based products or anti-inflammatories. 'Some antidepressants help at night, but the pain is hard to manage in the early days. 'Most people that come to us, the bladder will improve to the point that they don't need to have it removed. 'But once you've got a bladder that has shrunk to the size of 70ml, that's never getting better.' She would spend her days rolled up on the floor into a ball, which was the only position she felt comfortable. Or in a bath where the heat would ease her agony. Advertisement "The pain was like someone stabbing me," she added. Doctors warned her that if it continued, she'd need a catheter. She eventually managed to get off the drug. "[When detoxing], the first few days were so painful," Danielle explained. Advertisement "But by the end of the week my bladder started to feel better again," she added 'Everyone is on ket' The ex-addict said ketamine has exploded in popularity among young people due to how cheap and easy it is to get, with many now using it instead of alcohol. "I was always ketted. I'd go everywhere ketted, even to the shop. It's the new drug now," she said. "Everyone is on ket, especially my age. When you go out partying, people are using ket, it's become more popular than cocaine," she added. Advertisement 6 Now in recovery, she urges others to stop before it's too late Credit: Kennedy News "People aren't really drinking anymore, just using that instead. It's so easy to get a hold of, and it's so much cheaper. I spent £40 a day." Now in recovery, Danielle is urging other young people to steer clear before it's too late. "I don't want anyone else to go through this because so many people have started to get on the ket," she said. Advertisement "I'm very lucky I stopped now and can turn this around." She added: "I'd really say stop before it gets worse, it will happen to you. Read more on the Irish Sun "I always used to think it wouldn't happen to me, that my bladder's not going to get that bad. "I really hope people can stop before it's too late. It causes permanent damage." Advertisement GETTING HELP: If you think that you have a drug addiction then please contact your GP. You can also If you are having trouble finding the right help, call the FRANK drugs helpline on 03001236600 Or
The Irish Sun
14-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
I blamed my sore knee on a drunken injury – then my leg SNAPPED sitting on the sofa and I was left fighting for my life
WHEN Lucy Worthington's knee began to ache, she assumed it was just a drunken injury. But after physio failed to sort it out, she realised it was a killer condition hiding in plain sight - one which would see the 27-year-old snap her leg in half while she was sitting on the sofa. 8 When Lucy Worthington got knee pain she blamed it on a drunken injury Credit: Kennedy News & Media 8 Months later her leg snapped as she sat on the sofa and she was rushed to hospital Credit: Kennedy News & Media 8 The 27-year-old from Bristol was left fighting for her life - begging doctors to save her Credit: Kennedy News & Media Lucy, from Bristol, UK, tells Sun Health: "I started getting pain in my right leg around my knee. "So I went to my GP who referred me for an X-ray in February, and they told me the X-ray was clear and there was nothing to report. "I thought I had just gotten drunk and hurt myself falling over. "As time went on and the pain wasn't going away, I thought what I was told - that it was a "I do a lot of When the 'intense' pain did not get better after three physio sessions, the the talent acquisition recruiter went back to the GP who reportedly referred her for an MRI scan at Bristol Royal Infirmary in August 2024. "The pain started getting worse and I got a lump,' Lucy said. 'It was a big lump that was growing just above my knee, so I went back to my doctor. "It felt like someone was crushing my knee, or grabbing it and twisting it, it was a very intense horrible pain that no painkillers would help. I was prescribed codeine and morphine and none of it would work. "I saw the physio three times, the pain wasn't getting any better and the lump kept growing. The symptoms of sarcoma cancer including tummy pain "On the third time I saw her, she said 'I'm not happy doing anything else with you until you've had some more imaging', so she urged me to go back to my GP. "As soon as my GP felt the lump, her face dropped. She realised something was seriously wrong and referred me for an MRI scan. "I was diagnosed with There are more than 100 subtypes of Soft tissue My mum heard the earth-shattering scream and ran in... At first i thought i just dislocated my knee but i couldn't lift my leg up, it wasn't hanging on to anything. Lucy Worthington Bone sarcoma, which is much rarer, starts in the bone, most commonly affecting the legs. say more than 5,100 people are diagnosed with the disease each year. "The tumour was 14cm, around the size of a grapefruit," Lucy says. "It was so scary to be told this all. It sounds silly because you always attribute this to older people, in your 20s it's not something you think about. 'I was Googling my symptoms but I never actually thought it would be cancer. "I had a gut feeling it might be something serious but I was in shock, it didn't really set in. 'I was told it's likely curable depending on how my body reacts to the 8 "I thought I had just gotten drunk and hurt myself falling over," says Lucy Credit: Kennedy News & Media 8 Lucy started to develop a lump above her knee so she went back to the doctor for answers Credit: Kennedy News & Media 8 It turned out the pain in her knee was caused by a tumour which was now breaking out the bone. "The tumour was 14cm, around the size of a grapefruit," says Lucy Credit: Kennedy News & Media The symptoms of sarcoma cancer The most common symptom of soft tissue sarcoma is a lump somewhere on the body. But this doesn't necessarily mean cancer - there are all sorts of reasons for lumps and swellings, but it must always be checked by a GP. The lump is usually found deep under the skin and might be felt before it can be seen. The lump is usually solid to the touch, painless and hard to move around under the skin. It will continue to grow and as it does, it can become painful. Other symptoms depend on where in the body the lump is. These can include: Tummy pain and constipation if there is a sarcoma near the tummy A cough that does not go away if there is a sarcoma near the lungs Source: NHS But before her treatment could start, in September 2024, things would come to a head when Lucy would snap her leg due to She says: "Because of the type of cancer, I had no bone density in my femur so I just sat on the sofa and broke my leg. "I had been to the bathroom and I walked back to the sofa on a walking stick because they told me not to put all my weight on one leg. "My femur just shattered and it split my tumour in half. The pain was horrific, I broke the strongest bone in the human body. "My mum heard the earth-shattering scream and ran in, called 999 and the longer the ambulance was taking, the more pain I was in. She called them back and told them I have bone cancer. "At first i thought i just dislocated my knee but i couldn't lift my leg up, it wasn't hanging on to anything. At hospital, Lucy feared that she would die 'any minute'. "I definitely thought I could die - when I broke my leg and was admitted to hospital, me and my family thought I could die any minute, I was really not well. "They thought they were going to have to "I had to sign an on-table decision that if he thought it was necessary, he could amputate. "I went into this surgery not knowing if I would wake up with a leg or not. It was like a scene from Grey's Anatomy. I was crying and telling him he saved my leg.' 8 'I was told it's likely curable depending on how my body reacts to the chemo," says Lucy. She is pictured having her hair shaved Credit: Kennedy News & Media 8 Lucy finished her chemotherapy in June and is looking forward to getting her life back on track Credit: Kennedy News & Media Thankfully, the surgeon was able to save her leg, but it wasn't plain sailing for Lucy afterwards. She said: "I kept getting sepsis and wasn't responding to chemo very well so in the beginning it was very worrying.' But she finished her chemo in June and is 'excited to get her life back on track'. 'I'm feeling amazing, so happy,' she says. 'I'm a bit scared of the scans to come in case it comes back or has gone anywhere else, but now I'm excited to get my life back on track.' She wants to warn others to take symptoms seriously. Her pain and lump were the only signs, other than 'If the tumour hadn't grown out of the bone it could have been too late,' she says. 'So any aches or pains please get them checked because you never know." What are the causes of knee pain and when is it serious? Knee pain can arise from various sources, including injuries, medical conditions, and mechanical issues. It can usually be treated at home, but you should get help if it's not getting better within a few weeks. Causes can include: Sprains and strains These include ligament tears (e.g., ACL injuries), cartilage tears, fractures, dislocations, and sprains. You might have pain after overstretching, overusing or twisting, often during exercise. Or, your knee is unstable or gives way when you try to stand, you are unable to straighten or heard a 'pop' during injury. Tendonitis Tendonitis is when a tendon in the knee becomes inflamed, causing pain usually between your kneecap and shin. It is often caused by repetitive running or jumping. Arthritis Some medical conditions can cause pain without obvious injury. Arthritis (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis) causes pain and stiffness in the knees that can make it difficult to move or walk. There may also be swelling. Gout Gout causes pain and skin that is hot and red. The attacks are sudden and cause very bad pain. When to Worry: You should consult a healthcare professional if you experience: Anything urgent: Severe pain, inability to bear weight, joint deformity, a sudden "popping" sound, sudden swelling, or signs of infection (e.g., redness, warmth, fever). Persistent issues: Pain that disrupts daily life or sleep, reduced range of motion, knee instability, locking sensations, or persistent swelling, numbness, or worsening symptoms over time. Source:
