My nose is permanently red after sunburn 5 years ago – strangers make comments but even doctors are baffled
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JESSICA McGirr's nose has been left permanently red after getting sunburnt while on holiday in Tenerife over five years ago.
"The redness has ruined my self-confidence and I now wear makeup every day to hide it,' the 24-year-old, who currently lives in New York, US, said.
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Jessica's nose is permanently red which no doctor can diagnose
Credit: Jam Press/Jessica McGirr
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The mark appeared after getting burnt while on holiday in Spain
Credit: Jam Press/Jessica McGirr
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The 24-year-old feels let down by the health system
Credit: Jam Press/Jessica McGirr
"I get many comments from strangers asking me what's wrong with my nose or asking if I am sick," she added.
The young woman from Ireland was on a boat trip on the Spanish island when she nodded off under the blazing sun without any sunscreen on.
She spent around four hours exposed to strong UV rays and when she woke up burnt all over and with a bright red nose.
The initial marks took about a week to go down. But two weeks later, her nose was still red and sore.
'The skin on my nose was very textured and would often bleed and scab," the advert operator said.
'For the first three years after the burn, my nose was very inflamed,
"It is more calm at the moment," she said. "It's still very red but the texture is smoother.'
Sunburn can cause lasting damage to the skin, including premature aging, the development of precancerous lesions, and a significantly increased risk of skin cancer.
These harmful effects may not appear immediately and can take years, or even decades, to manifest.
Jessica has seen three different doctors about her nose but no one has been able to help her.
HSE issue skin cancer warning as Ireland set to bask in high temperatures this weekend
'No diagnosis has been made which is very frustrating because I wish I knew why this happened and if there could be a cure," she said.
At first, she was prescribed some creams and treatments for acne.
'Very let down'
When they didn't work, she was recommended to go to a skin clinic and get laser, which is sometimes used to help even out skin pigmentation.
She said: "I got four sessions of intense pulsed light therapy but saw no results.
'I've had visual skin evaluations and blood tests but no doctor ever gave me a diagnosis.
'They denied it being rosacea due to it only being on my nose and it staying consistently red.'
Jessica claims she hasn't been treated seriously and some doctors have simply told her to avoid spicy foods.
She said: 'I feel very let down by the healthcare system at home as no doctor ever seemed to care or wanted to refer me to a specialist.
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The Irish lass will never leave the house without makeup on
Credit: Jam Press/Jessica McGirr
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Strangers think her red nose makes her look ill
Credit: Jam Press/Jessica McGirr
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Jessica is desperate for answers
Credit: Jam Press/Jessica McGirr
'I now wear factor 50 sunscreen every day.'
She would like to seek further help, but she's concerned it could end up being a waste of money.
'If I knew a treatment would work, I would love to try it," she added.
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