Latest news with #AshleiBianchi
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
I made a common vacation mistake in Punta Cana... it deformed my face
A New Yorker's beach vacation soon turned into a horror story after she made a simple mistake that led her to 'look like E.T'. Ashlei Bianchi, 23, had spent a March afternoon soaking up the sun with her family near a pool in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. But by the time she came inside, the youngster realized that she had developed a slight redness on her face despite covering herself in sunscreen. By evening, her forehead and other parts of her face had begun to swell - which she later noted were the first signs of something sinister. However at the time, Bianchi believed that she was suffering from a mild sunburn and wiped her face with an aloe vera gel while continuing her trip. But things quickly went downhill when Bianchi woke up on the final morning of the holiday to find one of her eyes had swollen shut. She recalled: 'I FaceTimed my mom, and she said I didn't even look like myself, then the family I went with said I looked like E.T. My face started getting worse, and that's when the swelling on and under my eyes happened.' In fear of what may have happened, Bianchi decided to contact a string of doctors and realized that she was suffering from sun poisoning. Sun poisoning is a term often used to describe a severe sunburn. It does not actually result in 'poisoning' but instead causes symptoms such as severe skin rashes, blistering and peeling skin that are more severe than a typical sunburn. Bianchi later explained that her face most likely swelled up due to excessive sun exposure while lying and walking around in areas with no shade for long periods of time - causing her to develop sun poisoning. She said: 'My face started getting worse, and that's when the swelling on and under my eyes happened. My doctor wasn't sure if it was sun poisoning, but I work at a hospital and asked a rheumatologist. 'She said it was sun poisoning so that's what I have been telling people it is.' Sun poisoning usually occurs from prolonged sun exposure without any or inadequate protection such as sunscreens or shade. It remains unclear which kind of sunscreen or other protections Bianchi has used during her trip. The poisoning can also occur with even mild sun exposure in people who are more sensitive to the sun such as Bianchi, who are fair-skinned or have a family history of conditions such as skin cancer. Some of the common symptoms of sun poisoning include dehydration, fever, chills, headache, nausea and vomiting, However in Bianchi's case, she developed severe redness and swelling. By the end of the four-day trip, the young New Yorker's face had become so puffy that she feared she wouldn't be able to get through customs. She said: 'I had to go on my flight and go through customs looking not like myself, and I was scared I wasn't going to be able to get back home. I'm so thankful I made it through. 'I wore my sunglasses the whole trip home, even when it was dark out, because I was so embarrassed.' In fear of what may have happened, Bianchi decided to contact a string of doctors and realized that she was suffering from sun poisoning In most cases symptoms of sun poisoning can be managed at home by taking in electrolytes and applying cool compresses as well aloe vera gel over rashes and peeling skin. In cases of pain, over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen can help. Desperate to find relief, Bianchi even stopped at a pharmacy at the Dominican airport and bought anti-inflammatory medication. She also reached out to her doctor, who prescribed her an oral steroid to curb the swelling - but she couldn't start treatment until she landed back in the States on March 25. Once she reached home, Bianchi began taking steroids and by the fourth day, her face to finally return to its normal shape. She said: 'It wasn't painful, just more uncomfortable. It hurt when I had to close my eyes all the way. 'When I went to the pharmacy, the lady working had wide eyes and went, 'Oh my.' 'Then, when I went through customs in Boston, the guy was like, 'Too much sun?' and I was like, 'Yep!' Now fully recovered, Bianchi is sharing her story as a warning about the dangers of sun exposure – even with sunscreen. She said: 'I would say the dangers of sun exposure are real. I'm lucky my sun poisoning affected my face and not anything else. 'I had no symptoms besides swelling. It's very important to use your sunscreen and wear hats. I think that's where I went wrong. 'I really should have had something besides sunscreen protecting my face. 'But all in all, the sun is no joke, especially in the Caribbean where it's much more potent.'
Scottish Sun
27-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
My mum didn't recognise me after holiday horror sunburn, I looked like E.T – I thought it would turn into a nice tan
She couldn't start treatment until she landed in the States on March 25 NOT HOT My mum didn't recognise me after holiday horror sunburn, I looked like E.T – I thought it would turn into a nice tan Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN'S holiday turned into a nightmare when sunburn made her face so swollen, her own mum didn't recognise her. Ashlei Bianchi said she looked like E.T. after disaster struck two days into her trip to the Dominican Republic. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Ashlei Bianchi headed to Punta Cana for a family holiday before disaster striked Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi 8 She ended up getting sunburnt on her face but didn't think anything of it Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi 8 By evening, things had taken a scary turn when she noticed her forehead and head had swollen Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi The 23-year-old had spent the afternoon soaking up the Punta Cana sun while relaxing with her family around the pool. But by evening, things had taken a scary turn when she noticed her forehead and head had swollen. Despite using suncream, the New York native thought she had just suffered a mild reaction to the sun. The children's hospital assistant says she wiped her face with an aloe vera gel and carried on with her trip. But things quickly went downhill when Ashlei woke up on the final morning of the holiday to find one of her eyes had swollen shut. By the end of the four-day trip, Ashlei's face had become so puffy that even her own mum, Michelle Bianchi, 52, didn't recognise her over FaceTime. Other family members also joked that she looked like alien E.T. On the way to the airport, Ashlei feared her drastically changed appearance meant she wouldn't be able to get through customs. 'I did use sunscreen, but I still got a little red, which was going to happen either way since I'm not used to the sun down there, and we were in the pool all day,' she told What's The Jam. 'I FaceTimed my mom, and she said I didn't even look like myself, then the family I went with said I looked like E.T. I got a very awkward sunburn after using 'the 'best sunscreen ever' - I learned a lesson about the wrong way to apply it 'My face started getting worse, and that's when the swelling on and under my eyes happened. 'It was definitely a mixture of just laying out and being by the resort all day. 'One of the pools barely had any shade, so I was more exposed to the rays. 'I had to go on my flight and go through customs looking not like myself, and I was scared I wasn't going to be able to get back home. I'm so thankful I made it through. My doctor wasn't sure if it was sun poisoning, but I work at a hospital and asked a rheumatologist Ashlei Bianchi 'I wore my sunglasses the whole trip home, even when it was dark out, because I was so embarrassed.' Desperate to find relief, Ashlei stopped at a pharmacy at the Dominican airport and bought anti-inflammatory medication. She also reached out to her doctor, who prescribed her an oral steroid - but she couldn't start treatment until she landed back in the States on March 25. Once home, it took four days of steroids for her face to finally return to normal. Sun poisoning Ashlei said: 'It wasn't painful, just more uncomfortable. 'It hurt when I had to close my eyes all the way. 'When I went to the pharmacy, the lady working had wide eyes and went, 'Oh my.' 'Then, when I went through customs in Boston, the guy was like, 'Too much sun?' and I was like, 'Yep!' 8 Now fully recovered, Ashlei is sharing her story as a warning about the dangers of sun exposure – even with sunscreen Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi 8 Ashlei learned that she had suffered from sun poisoning Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi 8 Her family members also joked that she looked like alien E.T Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi 'I wore my sunglasses on both my flights and throughout the airport even when it was dark.' Ashlei says she later learned she had suffered from sun poisoning. She said: 'My doctor wasn't sure if it was sun poisoning, but I work at a hospital and asked a rheumatologist. 'She said it was sun poisoning, so that's what I have been telling people it is.' I'm lucky my sun poisoning affected my face and not anything else Ashlei Bianchi Now fully recovered, Ashlei is sharing her story as a warning about the dangers of sun exposure – even with sunscreen. She said: 'I would say the dangers of sun exposure are real. 'I'm lucky my sun poisoning affected my face and not anything else. 'I had no symptoms besides swelling. 8 She had no symptoms besides swelling Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi 8 The incident happened just two days into her trip to the Dominican Republic Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi 'It's very important to use your sunscreen and wear hats. I think that's where I went wrong. 'I really should have had something besides sunscreen protecting my face. 'But all in all, the sun is no joke, especially in the Caribbean where it's much more potent.'
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
My mum didn't recognise me after holiday horror sunburn, I looked like E.T – I thought it would turn into a nice tan
A WOMAN'S holiday turned into a nightmare when sunburn made her face so swollen, her own mum didn't recognise her. Ashlei Bianchi said she looked like E.T. after disaster struck two days into her trip to the Advertisement 8 Ashlei Bianchi headed to Punta Cana for a family holiday before disaster striked Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi 8 She ended up getting sunburnt on her face but didn't think anything of it Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi 8 By evening, things had taken a scary turn when she noticed her forehead and head had swollen Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi The 23-year-old had spent the afternoon soaking up the Punta Cana sun while relaxing with her family around the pool . But by evening, things had taken a scary turn when she noticed her forehead and head had swollen. Despite using suncream, the New York native thought she had just suffered a mild reaction to the sun. The children's hospital assistant says she wiped her face with an aloe vera gel and carried on with her trip. Advertisement READ MORE ON TANNING But things quickly went downhill when Ashlei woke up on the final morning of the holiday to find one of her eyes had swollen shut. By the end of the four-day trip, Ashlei's face had become so puffy that even her own mum, Michelle Bianchi, 52, Other family members also joked that she looked like alien E.T. On the way to the airport, Ashlei feared her drastically changed appearance meant she wouldn't be able to get through customs. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous 'I did use sunscreen, but I still got a little red, which was going to happen either way since I'm not used to the sun down there, and we were in the pool all day,' she told 'I FaceTimed my mom, and she said I didn't even look like myself, then the family I went with said I looked like E.T. I got a very awkward sunburn after using 'the 'best sunscreen ever' - I learned a lesson about the wrong way to apply it 'My face started getting worse, and that's when the swelling on and under my eyes happened. 'It was definitely a mixture of just laying out and being by the resort all day. Advertisement 'One of the pools barely had any shade, so I was more exposed to the rays. 'I had to go on my flight and go through customs looking not like myself, and I was scared I wasn't going to be able to get back home. I'm so thankful I made it through. My doctor wasn't sure if it was sun poisoning, but I work at a hospital and asked a rheumatologist Ashlei Bianchi 'I wore my sunglasses the whole trip home, even when it was dark out, because I was so embarrassed.' Desperate to find relief, Ashlei stopped at a pharmacy at the Dominican airport and bought anti-inflammatory medication. Advertisement She also reached out to her doctor, who prescribed her an oral steroid - but she couldn't start treatment until she landed back in the States on March 25. Once home, it took four days of steroids for her face to finally return to normal. Sun poisoning Ashlei said: 'It wasn't painful, just more uncomfortable. 'It hurt when I had to close my eyes all the way. Advertisement 'When I went to the pharmacy, the lady working had wide eyes and went, 'Oh my.' 'Then, when I went through customs in Boston, the guy was like, 'Too much sun?' and I was like, 'Yep!' 8 Now fully recovered, Ashlei is sharing her story as a warning about the dangers of sun exposure – even with sunscreen Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi 8 Ashlei learned that she had suffered from sun poisoning Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi Advertisement 8 Her family members also joked that she looked like alien E.T Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi 'I wore my sunglasses on both my flights and throughout the airport even when it was dark.' Ashlei says she later learned she had suffered from sun poisoning. She said: 'My doctor wasn't sure if it was sun poisoning, but I work at a hospital and asked a rheumatologist. Advertisement 'She said it was sun poisoning, so that's what I have been telling people it is.' I'm lucky my sun poisoning affected my face and not anything else Ashlei Bianchi Now fully recovered, Ashlei is sharing her story as a warning about the dangers of sun exposure – even with sunscreen. She said: 'I would say the dangers of sun exposure are real. 'I'm lucky my sun poisoning affected my face and not anything else. Advertisement 'I had no symptoms besides swelling. 8 She had no symptoms besides swelling Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi 8 The incident happened just two days into her trip to the Dominican Republic Credit: Jam Press/Ashlei Bianchi 'It's very important to use your sunscreen and wear hats. I think that's where I went wrong. Advertisement 'I really should have had something besides sunscreen protecting my face. 'But all in all, the sun is no joke, especially in the Caribbean where it's much more potent.' The Importance of SPF WITH summer finally here, here's everything you need to know about SPF. 1. Protects Against UV Radiation: SPF shields your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, specifically UVA and UVB rays, which can cause sunburn, premature aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer. 2. Reduces Risk of Skin Cancer: Regular use of SPF can significantly lower the risk of developing various types of skin cancer, including melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. 3. Prevents Premature Aging: UV exposure accelerates the aging process, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. SPF helps maintain youthful skin by blocking these aging effects. 4. Maintains Even Skin Tone: Sun exposure can cause hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Using SPF regularly can help prevent these issues, leading to a more even and radiant complexion. 5. Essential for All Skin Types: Regardless of skin type or tone, everyone is susceptible to UV damage. SPF is crucial for all skin types to maintain healthy skin and prevent damage. 6. Everyday Necessity: UV rays can penetrate through clouds and windows, making daily SPF application essential, even on cloudy days or when indoors.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
My mum didn't recognise me after holiday horror sunburn, I looked like E.T – I thought it would turn into a nice tan
A WOMAN'S holiday turned into a nightmare when sunburn made her face so swollen, her own mum didn't recognise her. Ashlei Bianchi said she looked like E.T. after disaster struck two days into her trip to the Dominican Republic. 8 8 8 The 23-year-old had spent the afternoon soaking up the Punta Cana sun while relaxing with her family around the pool. But by evening, things had taken a scary turn when she noticed her forehead and head had swollen. Despite using suncream, the New York native thought she had just suffered a mild reaction to the sun. The children's hospital assistant says she wiped her face with an aloe vera gel and carried on with her trip. But things quickly went downhill when Ashlei woke up on the final morning of the holiday to find one of her eyes had swollen shut. By the end of the four-day trip, Ashlei's face had become so puffy that even her own mum, Michelle Bianchi, 52, didn't recognise her over FaceTime. Other family members also joked that she looked like alien E.T. On the way to the airport, Ashlei feared her drastically changed appearance meant she wouldn't be able to get through customs. 'I did use sunscreen, but I still got a little red, which was going to happen either way since I'm not used to the sun down there, and we were in the pool all day,' she told What's The Jam. 'I FaceTimed my mom, and she said I didn't even look like myself, then the family I went with said I looked like E.T. I got a very awkward sunburn after using 'the 'best sunscreen ever' - I learned a lesson about the wrong way to apply it 'My face started getting worse, and that's when the swelling on and under my eyes happened. 'It was definitely a mixture of just laying out and being by the resort all day. 'One of the pools barely had any shade, so I was more exposed to the rays. 'I had to go on my flight and go through customs looking not like myself, and I was scared I wasn't going to be able to get back home. I'm so thankful I made it through. 'I wore my sunglasses the whole trip home, even when it was dark out, because I was so embarrassed.' Desperate to find relief, Ashlei stopped at a pharmacy at the Dominican airport and bought anti-inflammatory medication. She also reached out to her doctor, who prescribed her an oral steroid - but she couldn't start treatment until she landed back in the States on March 25. Once home, it took four days of steroids for her face to finally return to normal. Sun poisoning Ashlei said: 'It wasn't painful, just more uncomfortable. 'It hurt when I had to close my eyes all the way. 'When I went to the pharmacy, the lady working had wide eyes and went, 'Oh my.' 'Then, when I went through customs in Boston, the guy was like, 'Too much sun?' and I was like, 'Yep!' 8 8 8 'I wore my sunglasses on both my flights and throughout the airport even when it was dark.' Ashlei says she later learned she had suffered from sun poisoning. She said: 'My doctor wasn't sure if it was sun poisoning, but I work at a hospital and asked a rheumatologist. 'She said it was sun poisoning, so that's what I have been telling people it is.' I'm lucky my sun poisoning affected my face and not anything else Ashlei Bianchi Now fully recovered, Ashlei is sharing her story as a warning about the dangers of sun exposure – even with sunscreen. She said: 'I would say the dangers of sun exposure are real. 'I'm lucky my sun poisoning affected my face and not anything else. 'I had no symptoms besides swelling. 8 8 'It's very important to use your sunscreen and wear hats. I think that's where I went wrong. 'I really should have had something besides sunscreen protecting my face. 'But all in all, the sun is no joke, especially in the Caribbean where it's much more potent.' The Importance of SPF WITH summer finally here, here's everything you need to know about SPF. 1. Protects Against UV Radiation: SPF shields your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, specifically UVA and UVB rays, which can cause sunburn, premature aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer. 2. Reduces Risk of Skin Cancer: Regular use of SPF can significantly lower the risk of developing various types of skin cancer, including melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. 3. Prevents Premature Aging: UV exposure accelerates the aging process, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. SPF helps maintain youthful skin by blocking these aging effects. 4. Maintains Even Skin Tone: Sun exposure can cause hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. Using SPF regularly can help prevent these issues, leading to a more even and radiant complexion. 5. Essential for All Skin Types: Regardless of skin type or tone, everyone is susceptible to UV damage. SPF is crucial for all skin types to maintain healthy skin and prevent damage. 6. Everyday Necessity: UV rays can penetrate through clouds and windows, making daily SPF application essential, even on cloudy days or when indoors.
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'I got sunburn so badly my own mother didn't recognise me'
Ashlei needed strong medication for days when she got home and a doctor explained what had happened A woman's holiday turned into a nightmare when sunburn made her face so swollen her own mum didn't recognise her. Ashlei Bianchi said she looked like ET two days into her trip to the Dominican Republic. The 23-year-old had spent the afternoon soaking up the Punta Cana sun while relaxing with her family around the pool. But by evening she noticed her forehead and head had swollen. Despite using suncream, Ashlei thought she had just suffered a mild reaction to the sun. The children's hospital assistant says she wiped her face with an aloe vera gel and carried on with her trip. But Ashlei woke up on the final morning of the holiday to find one of her eyes had swollen shut. By the end of the four-day trip, Ashlei's face had become so puffy that even her own mum, Michelle Bianchi, 52, didn't recognise her over FaceTime. Other family members also joked that she looked like alien ET. On the way to the airport, Ashlei feared her drastically changed appearance meant she wouldn't be able to get through customs. 'I did use sunscreen, but I still got a little red, which was going to happen either way since I'm not used to the sun down there, and we were in the pool all day,' she said. 'I FaceTimed my mum, and she said I didn't even look like myself, then the family I went with said I looked like ET. 'My face started getting worse, and that's when the swelling on and under my eyes happened. It was definitely a mixture of just laying out and being by the resort all day. One of the pools barely had any shade, so I was more exposed to the rays. 'I had to go on my flight and go through customs looking not like myself, and I was scared I wasn't going to be able to get back home. I'm so thankful I made it through. I wore my sunglasses the whole trip home, even when it was dark out, because I was so embarrassed.' Desperate to find relief, Ashlei stopped at a pharmacy at the Dominican airport and bought anti-inflammatory medication. She also reached out to her doctor, who prescribed her an oral steroid - but she couldn't start treatment until she got home on March 25. Once home, it took four days of steroids for her face to finally return to normal. Ashlei said: 'It wasn't painful, just more uncomfortable. It hurt when I had to close my eyes all the way. 'When I went to the pharmacy, the lady working had wide eyes and went, 'Oh my.' I wore my sunglasses on both my flights and throughout the airport even when it was dark.' Ashlei says she later learned she had suffered from sun poisoning. She said: 'My doctor wasn't sure if it was sun poisoning, but I work at a hospital and asked a rheumatologist. 'She said it was sun poisoning, so that's what I have been telling people it is.' Now fully recovered, Ashlei is sharing her story as a warning about the dangers of sun exposure – even with sunscreen. She said: 'I would say the dangers of sun exposure are real. I'm lucky my sun poisoning affected my face and not anything else. 'I had no symptoms besides swelling. It's very important to use your sunscreen and wear hats. I think that's where I went wrong. I really should have had something besides sunscreen protecting my face. 'But all in all, the sun is no joke, especially in the Caribbean where it's much more potent.'
