'I was left disfigured after 15-minute nap in my garden'
As she dozed with temperatures hitting the high 20s, her sunglasses slipped off, leading to a frightful shock when she awoke: one eye had swollen so extremely that it had blisters and white spots. Jean, despite her diligence with SPF 30 protection, faced a brutal bout of pain, later confirmed by doctors as sun poisoning.
Compounding her troubles, shingles reared its ugly head, complete with an agonising rash, fever, and nausea – all outcomes of the viral aftermath that tormented her even almost two months post-incident.
Speaking about the incident, Jean reflected on the lead-up to the ordeal: "It was coming up to the first Bank Holiday in May and the sun came out, so I got out my sun lounger. I'm not much of a sunbather - but I fell asleep for a short time."
She detailed the harrowing effects the day following the mishap: "But the next day I woke up and couldn't open my eye and I was in so much pain. I was bright red, swollen and blistered and my face felt like it was on fire," reports the Mirror.
"When I went to the hospital I was told the sun poisoning had caused shingles - I couldn't believe it. I was given antiviral tablets, creams and eye drops - but six weeks on, I'm still swollen and in pain. I had only been sitting outside for 10 or 15 minutes - people don't realise the danger of sunbathing."
The following day, Jean was shocked by her own reflection, leading to a state of panic; her husband Timothy, 67, a retired handyman, remarked that her skin had become 'bright red', prompting them to dash to A&E.
Jean, from Kidderminster, explained: "My face was so disfigured I could barely recognise myself. There were little white spots under my skin and it was burning."
After being seen by a specialist and undergoing examination with sophisticated equipment, Jean's worst fears were confirmed; she had indeed developed shingles due to her immune system being weakened by sun poisoning.
Jean shared how her GP attributed her aggressive sun poisoning to her recent sun exposure, which in turn triggered the shingles outbreak. Despite initial treatments, Jean had to go back for a follow-up visit where she was prescribed additional medication to combat persistent symptoms.
She recounted: "I didn't go out for weeks and I had to wear sunglasses or close the curtains because my eyes were sensitive to the light. I'm still on medication now - I've still got blisters under my brows, and my forehead is inflamed.
"I have nerve tablets for the pain and eye drops and night cream to soothe it. But it's still really painful, I feel like banging my head against the wall. The corner of my eye is the worst."
Despite her suffering, Jean's doctors have given her hope that her condition will improve over time. She's now on a mission to raise awareness about the dangers of sun exposure, even if it's brief.
Jean believes her ordeal began when she fell asleep and her glasses slipped off, leaving her eyes exposed to intense UV rays despite being closed.
She cautioned: "There are people who go out not wearing sunglasses or a hat and lie on the beach with no sun cream on. I was careful and this happened to me - they don't realise the danger.
"I never dreamt anything like this could or would happen. I don't want it to happen to anyone else."
- Seek shade between 11am and 3pm.
- Avoid getting sunburned.
- Wear appropriate clothing and sunglasses.
- Be extra cautious with children.
- Always use sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I nearly died after being injected with fake Botox… doctors sent me home after mistaking key side effect
GAZING up at all the medics around her bed, Kaylie Marie Bailey realised with horror that they were fighting to save her life. Around an hour earlier she had been helped into bed at Sunderland Royal Hospital after collapsing in a toilet. Advertisement 6 Mum Kaylie Marie Bailey tells of her nightmare after terrifying reaction to a beauty jab - and the tell-tale signs you should look out for Credit: Glen Minikin 6 Kaylie Marie ended up fighting for her life at Sunderland Royal Hospital's A&E Credit: Family Handout Unknown to Kaylie she had then stopped breathing and staff had rushed to her aid. Earlier that night, the mum-of-three had lost consciousness at home after suffering a terrifying reaction to what she incorrectly believed to be an authentic Botox treatment that she had treated herself to a couple of weeks earlier. She says of waking up in hospital: 'I must have blacked out, because when I came round there were about 20 people around me and I could hear them yelling instructions to each other. There was also a tube down my throat.' Advertisement Kaylie Marie was later told a resuscitator had been used to restart her breathing. The 36-year-old was one of 28 people in County Durham injected with a batch of fake Botox that appears to have been contaminated with the lethal The product used was Toxpia, an unlicensed South Korean anti-wrinkle solution illegal to sell or supply in the UK. It was responsible for Britain's biggest botulism outbreak in 100 years and Kaylie Marie's case was among the most serious. Her life was saved by medics who resuscitated her using a manual respirator to push oxygen into her lungs. Advertisement 'Law change' Public health officials are investigating the source of the outbreak but so far Durham police have not launched an inquiry. At her home in Peterlee, a month after being injected, Kaylie Marie wears an eye patch to correct double vision, and supports her weak right arm, which she can barely lift, on her knee. Tweakment Trials - Botox 'It's disgraceful that anyone can become a Botox specialist and start injecting people without any screening and with no qualifications,' she says tearfully. 'The law needs to change to regulate the aesthetics industry, because there are people out there who are playing with people's lives.' Kaylie Marie's world was turned upside down when, on May 30, she contacted a local beautician on Facebook Messenger, asking for a Advertisement It was a decision that very nearly robbed her one-month-old son Albie and her two other children, Olly, 12, and Leo , eight, of their mum, and it has left Kaylie Marie's future health under a cloud of uncertainty. That day, she went for her Botox appointment at a hair salon in Blackhall Rocks, County Durham. She had had Botox four times before, but not for about 18 months. The salon owner was renting out a room at the back to a beautician who was visiting the area for a two-day stint. Kaylie Marie says: 'After having my little boy I wanted to give myself a makeover and feel nice again. I have always hated the frown line that creeps back on my forehead. 'I was slightly late for my appointment and felt as though the beautician was in a rush. 'I asked for three spots to be injected — the sides of my eyes, my forehead and between my eyes. Advertisement 'But as soon as she injected me, it stung and my eyes started watering. The beautician joked about it and said, 'I seem to be making everyone's eyes water today'. 'I couldn't shake it off' 'As I was about to pay my usual £150, she said 'that will be £75'. I was surprised it was so cheap and now I'm wondering whether she was charging less because she had paid less for the chemical.' 'I thought nothing of the stinging and was back in my dad's car within ten minutes.' Over the weekend, Kaylie Marie began to feel dizzy and ill and her left eye wasn't opening fully. She told herself it just needed to settle, but on the Monday, while driving Olly to a school appointment, she realised something was wrong. Advertisement 6 Kaylie Marie, pictured before being injected with fake Botox, was later told a resuscitator had been used to restart her breathing. Credit: Glen Minikin 6 Kaylie Marie was later told a resuscitator had been used to restart her breathing Credit: Glen Minikin 'There was a bus in front of me which suddenly split into two, driving side by side,' she says. 'I blinked to correct my vision, but nothing happened. I was stuck with terrible double vision and couldn't shake it off.' With three young children to look after, she felt she had no choice but to carry on, despite her partner Craig Perry, 38, expressing concern. Advertisement It was her sister Danielle, 39, who told her to seek medical help when she saw her eye drooping. It was Friday, June 6 and after securing a GP appointment, she was taken to A&E. Kaylie Marie says: 'My vision was so bad it looked like everyone in the waiting room was sitting with their twin. 'I was given morphine and a CT scan, but was sent home when a consultant diagnosed ptosis, which just means a drooping eyelid. I started to lose consciousness, to think about the children. I'm dying, I thought. 'Instinctively I knew they had got it wrong, but what could I do?' She soldiered on for another week, unaware the botulism bacterium were damaging her central nervous system. Advertisement It was a fortnight after the fake Botox injections that a correct diagnosis was finally made and she was sent to hospital by her GP. Kaylie Marie says: 'In the week since I'd last been in the hospital, news of the botulism outbreak had started to spread. The hospital had treated other women. I was told there was an anti-toxin, but it was in such short supply and so expensive it was only being given to the most urgent cases, and I didn't qualify.' As Friday, June 13 was drawing to a close, Kaylie Marie's breathing was becoming shallower and shallower, until it stopped completely. She says: 'I'd rushed to the loo where I was sick and collapsed. What to look out for... GOVERNMENT-approved organisation Save Face, which campaigns for safer cosmetic procedures, has this advice: Always visit a trained healthcare practitioner such as a doctor, nurse, dentist or a prescribing pharmacist. Avoid cheap treatments and time-limited offers – it may indicate that corners are being cut. Know the full name, credentials and contact details of the person who is treating you. Do not visit a practitioner who only operates on social media and who will not disclose this information. Arrange a consultation and don't be afraid to ask questions. Discuss your concerns and desired outcomes. Ask what products they use and what aftercare will be available. Ask to see the unopened box of product/medicine that is to be used and make a note of the brand and the LOT number (take a photo) for future reference. Don't be afraid to walk away if you do not feel comfortable. 'I was helped back into bed, but I could feel myself getting weaker and breathing was becoming a struggle. I started to lose consciousness and began to think about Craig and the children. 'I'm dying,' I thought.' Advertisement Kaylie Marie was later moved to intensive care, where she was eventually given the anti-toxin. She remained in hospital for three more days before being discharged. 'Make people think' Amanda Healy, County Durham Director of Public Health, said: 'We are working closely with colleagues at United Kingdom Health Security Agency to investigate the cause of these adverse reactions. 'I would encourage anyone who has recently undertaken an aesthetic procedure and is experiencing any of the symptoms listed to contact NHS 111 or, if it feels life-threatening, go to A&E.' A spokesperson for Sunderland Royal Hospital said: 'When the patient was discharged following her first attendance, she was advised to visit her GP if her condition worsened. It was explained her symptoms were likely to be related to botox, which can resolve without specific treatment. 'As soon as there were regional communications about this issue, actions were taken quickly and staff were made aware. Advice was sought when she was admitted later in June.' Advertisement Kaylie Marie says: 'I took legal advice as soon as I was well enough. 'It was soon found that the beautician doesn't have insurance as she claimed so I'm unlikely to get meaningful compensation. 'She apologised and said there was a problem with the product on a nationwide level.' Kaylie Marie is yet to discover what lasting damage the botulism may have done. She says: 'I'm stuck in the house with double vision, weakness in my arms and doctors are unable to say when or if I'll fully recover. Advertisement 'These injections have become part of everyday life, but I hope that this will make people think very carefully about who they go to — or whether to go at all.' 6 The mum-of-three had lost consciousness at home after suffering a terrifying reaction to a Botox treatment two weeks earlier Credit: Glen Minikin 6 Kaylie Marie was later moved to intensive care, where she was eventually given the anti-toxin Credit: Glen Minikin A spokesperson for Sunderland Royal Hospital said: "When the patient was discharged following her first attendance, she was advised to visit her GP if her condition worsened, or did not improve after a few weeks, for a referral to an eye specialist. "It was explained her symptoms were likely to be related to botox, which can resolve without requiring specific treatment over time. Advertisement "Advice was sought when she was admitted later in June and treated in line with guidance. "Botulinum toxicity is a very rare condition. It is not seen by the majority of doctors during their careers. "As soon as there were regional communications about this issue, actions were taken quickly and staff were made aware in case patients presented. "Clear ways to manage any patients who needed treatment were set out. This included seeking specialist advice on the antitoxin used as a treatment."
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Irish Times
Public warned to avoid e-cigarettes from two brands after EU health alert
The HSE's National Environmental Health Service (NEHS) is warning the public to stop using e-cigarettes from two differentbrands as they are wrongly labelled as containing no nicotine. The products, for which European Safety Alerts have been issued, were found to contain nicotine at concentrations up to 30 mg/ml, following analysis by the State Laboratory. The products involved are: McKesse MK Bar 700, blueberry, blackcurrant mango and blueberry pear flavours; and Bank Box 18000 Puffs, watermelon ice, strawberry watermelon and blueberry ice flavours. People can return them to the shop where they were bought and retailers have been asked to stop selling them. READ MORE HSE principal environmental health officer Margaret Ruddy said: 'In response to finding non-compliant and unsafe products on the Irish market, the HSE National Environmental Health Service will continue to exercise its full legal powers to protect public health, this includes product seizure, product destruction and prosecutions. 'Retailers should be checking both the products themselves and their suppliers' details before selling them on to consumers.' Retailers who sold or distributed the products have been told to display a recall notice on their premises or on social media.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Garden experts issue urgent artificial lawn warning as kids and pets could be at risk
BRITS have been warned that their fake lawns could be harming their children and pets. Artificial grass traps traces of animal wee and poo, with the resulting bacteria a risk to people, cats, dogs and other wild critters, say experts. 1 Artificial grass could be a danger to kids and pets (stock image) Credit: Getty The report said: "While synthetic lawns are a popular low-maintenance option, they don't clean themselves." It added: "Many households don't realise that artificial grass must be cleaned regularly - especially when pets are involved. "Artificial grass can trap pet urine and faecal bacteria, if not rinsed and sanitised. "That build-up can release harmful vapours and bacteria, posing risks to your pet's health." It said the recent heatwave had turned mock turf into "a breeding ground for pests and a source of serious bacterial contamination". The report commissioned by went on: "Pet urine doesn't soak into the ground like it would with natural grass - instead it lingers on the surface or underneath, especially if left untreated." Researchers found fans of astroturfed back yards had suffered maggot and fly infestations, ammonia build-up from pet urine, E. coli and salmonella exposure, and unpleasant pongs during hot temperatures. While pets had been hit with skin infections and paw irritation. Most read in Fabulous Lawn Tips If real grass is more your thing in the garden, there's a good chance the scorching weather recently has been turning your lawn yellow. But don't worry, there's a simple fix. Watch the moment home owner walks over their new-build's lawn and shows how landscaping turned it into a water bed You can transform your grass this summer with a completely free step. Scattering grass seed is the only way you can boost growth in sparse patches of lawn. However, this solution often faces a significant problem when it comes to wildlife. Birds often feed on grass seeds, swooping into your garden to peck them from your lawn. To protect your grass seed while you wait for growth, one gardening fanatic suggests: "Cover your grass seeds with grass cuttings to protect them from the birds. "Grass cuttings hold a lot of water so [they] will make it grow faster, proper green fingers." More gardening hacks An everyday £3 household item also helps to fertilise your flowerbeds this summer. Another budget buy will leave your lawn looking healthier than ever in a matter of days. And another hack helps to fertilise your soil this summer season. Read more on the Irish Sun Plus, a B&Q gadget that will elevate your lawn for just £8.50. A 30p food item can also help to keep your garden nourished this summer.
