Brit, 27, shares urgent warning never to sunbathe wearing jewellery after he was left bedbound for five days
Ben Parsons was on holiday with his family in the South of France when he fell asleep on a beach for six hours, having only applied a single layer of factor 30 sun cream.
7
7
7
The 27-year-old says he woke up several times throughout the mammoth nap but didn't realise how strong the sun was because the wind was keeping him cool.
It was only when he left the beach to return to his family's villa that he realised he was "in trouble" - his whole body was covered in a painful, bright red burn.
But the worst of the burns were from where the gold necklace he was wearing had "reflected the sun like a laser beam"- causing pus-filled blisters to erupt from his chin down to the base of his neck.
Ben was left bedbound for five days due to the severity of the burns, which were so painful he says it felt like his skin was ripping or stretching every time he moved.
He says the ordeal "ruined" his holiday as he was unable to go outside and enjoy the sunshine.
The sales executive is now warning sunseekers to regularly apply SPF and take their jewellery off when sunbathing.
Ben, from Weybridge, Surrey, said: "I was lying down and the necklace was on my chest pointing up at my neck.
"It was like the necklace had reflected and magnified the sun into a laser beam and it's been sizzling there.
"Once I got up from the beach I was in pain and that was when I realised I'd definitely [been] burnt.
"But then once I got back to my house, which was another hour from the beach, that's when I realised that I was in a bit of trouble.
"It got progressively worse for the next two days to the point where I was bedbound.
"I couldn't move without being in pain because I was so burned that every time I moved it felt as if my skin was ripping or stretching.
"I didn't leave my bed for the next four or five days because I was in such excruciating pain.
"I didn't end up going back to the beach for the rest of the holiday and I had to stay laying down in bed.
7
7
"It definitely ruined my holiday because I didn't get to see sunlight again for the next week and a half and then even getting up for dinner and lunches was painful.
"Even having my eyelids open hurt."
Luckily a family member on holiday with them was a nurse so got a cream to treat the burns, and wrapped bandages around his neck to protect his scorched skin.
Now, Ben is encouraging other people to apply SPF and take their jewellery off when sunbathing in order to avoid the same fate.
Ben said: "I would definitely say always be extra careful when wearing jewellery because whether it's real gold or not, it can potentially reflect off onto you.
"I definitely recommend taking all jewellery off so this sort of thing doesn't happen.
How much sun cream do you really need?
THE NHS says adults should apply six to eight teaspoons of sunscreen over the entire body at each application.
Given you should reapply every two hours, that is a lot of sun cream.
Dr Kentley, MRA ambassador, tells Sun Health: 'Cover your first two fingers from bottom to top in sun cream and that should be enough for your face and neck each day.
'For the rest of the body, it should be around 30ml, which is the size of a shot glass.
'But that is a lot! It would mean going through about a bottle a day.'
It's just a measurement to keep in mind – just remember you should probably be applying a lot more than you think.
"Also apply sun cream regularly so you don't end up ruining your holiday and all of the money you spent to get there."
While you may be at higher risk of sunburn while basking in the sun on holiday, you can also scorch your skin in the UK - on cloudy days too.
And there's no safe or healthy way to get a tan.
A tan does not protect your skin from the sun's harmful effects, despite myths about a "base tan".
To best protect yourself from sunburn - which can lead to skin cancer - make sure to:
Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm
Cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses
Use at least factor 30 sunscreen
Reapply after swimming or sweating
7
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Atai and Recognify's schizophrenia drug fails to meet main goal in trial
July 25 (Reuters) - Atai Life Sciences ( opens new tab and its partner Recognify Life Sciences said on Friday their experimental drug did not meet the main goal in a mid-stage trial for patients with schizophrenia-linked cognitive impairment. U.S.-listed shares of atai dropped about 17% in extended trading. The trial enrolled 242 patients with cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS), which affects memory, attention and decision-making in people with the mental illness. Recognify said patients taking the drug, inidascamine, showed some improvement in cognitive tests compared with a placebo, but the results were not statistically significant. Despite the drug missing the main goal, Recognify said patients on inidascamine showed consistent signs of improvement in areas such as processing speed and verbal learning, with positive trends on a test assessing real-world cognitive abilities. The drug was well-tolerated, with no signs of sedation, weight gain, or movement-related side effects, which are common with existing schizophrenia treatments. CIAS remains one of the most challenging and underserved areas in mental health, with no FDA-approved treatments. Atai and Recognify's setback adds to a string of failures in CIAS drug development, including last year's decision by Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX.O), opens new tab to halt its own CIAS drug program after disappointing results. Cognitive deficits affect about 80% of people with schizophrenia, a condition that impacts roughly 24 million individuals globally, according to the World Health Organization. Standard treatment for schizophrenia typically involves antipsychotic medications that help manage hallucinations and delusions, but often do not address cognitive symptoms. Recognify, which is majority-owned by Berlin-based Atai, said it will continue to analyze full trial results and present further data at upcoming scientific meetings. Atai said it intends to focus resources on its own pipeline of psychedelic-based therapies for mood-affecting disorders, while continuing to support Recognify's efforts.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Nutritional expert shares popular snacks parents think are healthy... but should actually not be fed to kids
An expert nutritional therapist has revealed the popular snacks parents think are healthy – but shouldn't actually be fed to kids. With the summer holidays in full swing, families will be scrambling to find activities to occupy their little ones. And it's no secret that giving them something to eat can fill the gap for a while. But Amber Silverman is urging parents to be careful when choosing a healthy snack, as what might seem nutritious is actually doing children more harm than good. 'One of the most common things I hear from parents is: "I honestly thought that was healthy," and it's completely understandable,' the nutritional therapist, from London, told NeedToKnow recently. 'Supermarkets are full of products that look wholesome, often plastered with phrases like "no added sugar" or "made with real fruit,"' she warned. 'But once you take a closer look, the reality isn't always quite so rosy.' Here are the most common lunchbox and cupboard offenders. Fruit Snacks Amber, a mom-of-two, said that labeling on fruit snacks often states that 'real fruit' is involved, but it can be extremely misleading. She explained: They're usually little more than processed sugar, syrup, and flavorings. 'Even when fruit purée is listed as an ingredient, it's stripped of the fiber and nutrients you'd get from eating real fruit.' And the same goes for fruit pouches, which are better than ultra-processed snacks, but still aren't as good as the real deal. Smoothies and juices Amber, 54, said that while smoothies are a great way to get kids' five-a-day in, they're only beneficial if made from scratch. She warned that bottled versions often contain fruit concentrates, sweetened yogurt, or added sugars – and are surprisingly high in calories. And juice is no better. Amber added: 'Even the pure kind is still very high in natural sugars and lacks the fiber that slows down sugar absorption in whole fruit. 'It's easy to forget that one small carton of juice might contain the equivalent of sugar of several pieces of fruit. 'Better to stick with water most of the time and keep juice as an occasional treat – or just eat an orange.' Flavored Yogurts Amber said that yogurts in little tubes or pots are usually marketed towards children, and can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet. But there's little benefit for your tot. She dished: 'Low-fat versions are particularly sneaky, as the fat is usually replaced with added sugar to keep them tasting good. 'A better option? Go for plain, full-fat yogurt and stir in some fresh fruit yourself.' Granola and Cereals Oats, nuts, and sometimes a bit of dried fruit may seem like a winner, but what's really hiding in the ingredients? Amber said: '[They're often] held together by glucose syrup or other sweeteners and can contain just as much sugar as a chocolate bar. 'Not ideal if you're after something genuinely nourishing that'll keep kids going through the day. '[And while] cereal is quick and convenient, even the ones labelled with 'whole grain' or 'fortified with vitamins' can be high in sugar and low in fibre. 'They may give a short burst of energy, but that's usually followed by a mid-morning crash – and a grumpy, hungry child asking for snacks.' Veggie Straws and Chips If the phrase 'veggie' is used, it must be healthy, right? Wrong. 'Sadly, not. They're often made with potato starch and oil, with just a dusting of powdered vegetables for color,' Amber explained. 'Nutritionally, they're not much better than ordinary crisps.' Whole Wheat or Multigrain Crackers Reaching for crackers might seem like a quick, tasty, and nutritional option to feed your tot when they're hungry. But, like most foods, the labels are misleading. Amber said: 'Just because something has 'whole wheat' or 'multigrain' on the label doesn't mean it's automatically a healthier option. 'Many of these snacks still contain refined flours, low-quality oils, and not much in the way of actual nutrients. 'If you're buying crackers, check the label and look for ones made with 100% wholegrain and minimal added ingredients.' Amber advised parents to opt for savory snacks over sweet – such as cheese, homemade hummus, edamame beans, and nuts and seeds. She said eating refined sugars can be 'detrimental' to kids. The mom continued: 'It creates unstable blood sugar levels, where the highs and lows can have an adverse effect on behaviors. 'Common symptoms of this would be irritability or anger, fatigue or lethargy, headaches, mood swings, and attention problems. 'This can impact their learning at school and at home – and how they interact with people around them. Refined sugars are also linked to inflammation in the body, which in turn is linked to a diseased state. 'In the medium to long-term, there may be impacts on immune function and other health concerns when refined sugars are consumed daily or very regularly.' She also noted that refined sugars impact teeth, weight, and digestive health – which can also damage developing brains. Since it has addictive qualities, these difficulties can last even into adulthood. While it can feel overwhelming trying to make the right choices, she says the best method is to stick to real, whole foods and recognizable ingredients. And don't be afraid to whip up simple meals from scratch. She concluded, 'Feeding your child isn't about being perfect. It's about balance, awareness, and building habits over time. 'One less fruit snack and one more real apple might not seem like a big deal today, but over months and years, it adds up.'
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Atai Life Sciences schizophrenia drug fails to meet main goal in trial
July 25 (Reuters) - Atai Life Sciences ( opens new tab and its partner Recognify Life Sciences said on Friday their experimental drug did not meet the main goal in a mid-stage trial for patients with cognitive impairment linked to schizophrenia. U.S.-listed shares of atai fell about 14% in extended trading. Recognify said patients taking the drug, inidascamine, showed some improvement in cognitive tests compared with a placebo, but the results were not statistically significant. The trial enrolled 242 patients with cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia, which affects memory, attention and decision-making in people with the mental illness. Despite the drug missing the main goal, Recognify said patients on inidascamine showed consistent signs of improvement in areas such as processing speed and verbal learning, with positive trends on a test assessing real-world cognitive abilities.
