Do I need medical attention?

[Sgt_Strider]

So right now I'm in Seoul, South Korea in the middle of my vacation. Last week, I was travelling to Busan and I forgot to bring my sunscreen. I thought it was no biggie and decided to climb a mountain on Jeju Island. On that day, I got a really bad sunburn around the back of my neck. Let's just say the back of my neck was glowing red by the time I got back to my room. I began to freak out because I didn't know I got sunburned. So I took a towel and soaked it with cold water to put on my neck. Then I took a cold shower and prayed that things will get better in the morning. Well, things didn't get better and the back of my neck was really sore. Fast forward to today and it's been 3 days and the skin colour is now changing to a reddish-purplish colour. It's no longer that sore. The problem is this, I'm not sure if I really need medical attention or not. I do have insurance, but I'm not really sure what the procedures are when it comes to seeing a doctor. At the same time, I'm scheduled to leave Seoul for Taipei in about 48 hours and it's the weekend already in Asia. I actually had trouble sleeping last night because I was constantly thinking about the sunburn. It looks pretty bad and some parts of my neck is at least a shade or two darker than the rest of my body. I'm kind of scared about the long term consequences. I should be slapping myself for not even trying to go to a drugstore and buy a bottle of sunscreen. Nonetheless, it's a bit too late to worry about it, but I can't seem to get my mind off it. It's 5:31 AM and I'm scheduled to go to the Demilitarized Zone in Panmunjom. I'm trying not to think too much about it, but it's hard. So what should I do guys? Should I seek medical attention as soon as I arrive in Taipei?

[HBP]

Hit up a drugstore and get some sunburn cream?

I probably wouldn't see a doctor, but that choice is always up to you.

[Sgt_Strider]

Hit up a drugstore and get some sunburn cream?

I probably wouldn't see a doctor, but that choice is always up to you.

Do you think my skin will eventually get back to normal? The reddish-purplish colour is freaking me out!

[lamster00]

From the sounds of it, I think you are scaring yourself. I have previously had really bad sunburned on 3 occasions when i travelled down south. I have been fine a few days later. Go get some aloe vera or some sun burn cream. You will be fine

[HBP]

Do you think my skin will eventually get back to normal? The reddish-purplish colour is freaking me out!

It will be darker than before with a few mutations, but yea, it will go back to normal.

Never had a sunburn before? It'll probably start peeling soon.

[Si98]

Sounds like a bad case of sunburn. Same thing happened to me last year when I was doing garden work. No need to see a doctor. Get some aloe vera cream or gel from a pharmacy. Don't be alarmed when your skin peels and i'm sure it will sooner or later.

[Cr0at1a]

I would not worry. When I was a kid I got such a bad sunburn once that I had BLISTERS!

After a week I was OK.
Stop being a baby

[Shaner]

Of course the skin on your neck is darker than the rest of your body, you get burned. Have you never had a sunburn before, or even a tan?!?

The skin will probably start peeling any day now and will return back to it's normal colour before long. If the burned area doesn't peel, then it wasn't even a bad burn to begin with and you're freaking out over nothing.

At this point burn cream won't do much considering the pain is gone and it's beginning to heal, but you can go get some if you want. Either way, it doesn't sound like you need medical attention of any kind and there won't be any long term repercussions.

[ReDmAn]

your neck is going to fall off

[originalnutta]

walk it off, pussy cat.

[JACKIE26]

If the skin is not broken/blistered you do not need to see a doctor.

Really there is no quick fix for this. There are some things you can do in the meantime to ease the discomfort while the burn heals.

Apply an aloe vera lotion, make sure it is a 100% aloe vera lotion, if you get something that has other ingredients perfumes etc. that will irritate the skin and cause more pain. Or better yet actually get an aloe vera plant and slice it open and apply it directly to the skin this is much more effective than a lotion.

To cut down the pain and swelling get a topical steriod, 1%-2% hydrocortisone cream, all this is is topical Benadryl cream. If all you can find is Preperation H, it will do as it has the same main active ingredient that you need Hydrocortisone. Don't coat yourself in it though, you are not frosting a cake, and apply 2-4 times at most for a few days, twice a day should be enough though.

Drink lots of fluids a sunburn can actually dehydrate you if its bad enough, and that actually will cause more pain.

Lastly, taking some Tylenol or Advil will also help with the pain and inflammation. Also apply cold compresses.

[hagbard]

Sorry to tell you, you're going to die. Can I have your stuff?

[wallop]

Have you met any North Koreans?

There was a thread here asking precisely that.

[originalnutta]

dont worry, thats just fallout from the nuclear testing.

[GangStarr]

This thread is almost as good as OP's

"Where Can I buy Febreze in Hong Kong " thread. http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=592149

[KorruptioN]

Have you never had a sunburn before, or even a tan?!?

This is a very valid question :|

[Flyer]

If you have time to post, you're fine.

[wallop]

If you have time to post, you're fine.

not if you're in the middle of nowhere, alone, afraid, missing your loved ones, etc...

[jcoltage]

not if you're in the middle of nowhere, alone, afraid, missing your loved ones, etc...

I thought he was in Korea not back in Vancouver .....

[kgen]

Why the hell are you asking RFD? Would you really trust the advice of teenagers half way around the world based on a half-synopsis that you've provided? Just go drop by the doctors and get it checked out...

[Sgt_Strider]

This thread is almost as good as OP's

"Where Can I buy Febreze in Hong Kong " thread. http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=592149

Of course it was when you were trolling in that thread.

[Sgt_Strider]

It will be darker than before with a few mutations, but yea, it will go back to normal.

Never had a sunburn before? It'll probably start peeling soon.

I've never had a sunburn this bad before. Well, hopefully you'll be right.

[Sgt_Strider]

Why the hell are you asking RFD? Would you really trust the advice of teenagers half way around the world based on a half-synopsis that you've provided? Just go drop by the doctors and get it checked out...

You're right, I think I've created an opportunity for some people to troll.

[artsreview]

It's not paining, right? Nothing to worry about. At your age, it could take up to two weeks to die off completely and get replaced by healthy skin. Peel of the dead skin daily if you don't want to look like the Thing.

[Sgt_Strider]

It's not paining, right? Nothing to worry about. At your age, it could take up to two weeks to die off completely and get replaced by healthy skin. Peel of the dead skin daily if you don't want to look like the Thing.

There's nothing to peel off right now.

[artsreview]

There's nothing to peel off right now.

Wait a little longer. Maybe when this thread is up to page 5.

[Sgt_Strider]

Wait a little longer. Maybe when this thread is up to page 5.

:lol:

The stage is already set for that man!