Jean Hill, who was left with shingles after developing sun poisoning (Image: Emma Trimble / SWNS)
Jean Hill, 67, from Kidderminster, Worcestershire, decided to enjoy the warm weather on May 1 by reading in her garden deckchair as temperatures soared into the late twenties.
The unsuspecting grandmother-of-two then took what was meant to be a short rest on her sunbed, but dozed off for “10 or 15 minutes”, during which her sunglasses slipped off.
Upon waking, Jean carried on with her day, oblivious to the nightmare that awaited her the next morning when she found her eye swollen shut, blistered with white spots, and in excruciating pain.
Despite having applied factor 30 sunscreen, doctors informed her that she had suffered sun poisoning, which had compromised her immune system enough to trigger shingles – an intensely painful and itchy rash caused by an infection, often accompanied by fever and nausea.
Even after receiving medication, Jean, who is retired from her job as a cleaner, still experiences soreness and pain in her face nearly two months later.
Jean Hill was left with a puffy and blistered face after developing sun poisoning. (Image: Jean Hill / SWNS)
Jean recounted the ordeal, saying: “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.
“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.”
She added: “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 sat outside for 10 or 15 minutes – people don’t realise the danger of sunbathing.”
Jean developed sun poisoning after falling asleep in the sun (Image: Emma Trimble / SWNS)
After a seemingly innocent spell catching rays in her own backyard, Jean confronted a nightmarish reflection in her mirror the next morning—her own visage unrecognisable.
Her husband Timothy Hill, 67, a retired handyman, witnessed the alarming transformation, describing her as ‘bright red’, prompting a swift visit to A&E.
Jean expressed her dismay, saying: “My face was so disfigured I could barely recognise myself.
“There were little white spots under my skin and it was burning.”
Medications which Jean has been taking for two months since getting an infection and shingles after (Image: Emma Trimble / SWNS)
Further medical consultation unveiled the need for specialist attention, which led to a grim diagnosis using advanced medical equipment.
Additionally, Jean learnt her sunbathing had devastatingly compromised her immune system, giving rise to her infection, according to her doctor.
Subsequent to receiving prescription antivirals to contend with the shingles, she faced ongoing medical appointments due to persistent symptoms.
Jean lamented: “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.”
Jean was left with a puffy and blistered face after developing sun poisoning. (Image: Jean Hill / SWNS)
Jean’s doctors have assured her that the condition will eventually resolve.
However, she is determined to raise awareness about the potential damage caused by the sun – highlighting that even brief exposure can have severe consequences.
Jean believes her troubles started when she dozed off and her glasses slipped off, exposing her closed eyelids to intense UV rays.
She cautions: “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.”
The official NHS guidelines for sun safety include:- staying in the shade between 11am and 3pm- avoiding sunburn- wearing appropriate clothing and sunglasses- taking special care with children- using sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
