Everyone knows the importance of using sunscreen, but one man’s horrifying experience is just another reminder that lathering up before heading outside is essential for one’s health.
A guy from Texas named Cade Huckaby discovered the hard way that if you don’t protect your skin from the sun’s rays, it can be devastating.
Huckabay posted a series of images on Twitter earlier this month, showing off his swollen head. The post has been retweeted over 100,000 times. What’s most disturbing is one image in which he actually pushes his finger into his forehead and leaves a dent.
He wrote in the caption: “One time I shaved my head, got severely sunburned, & swelled up just a little bit.”
His words are an understatement; it’s clear that the damage is quite significant. He noted in the comments, “At one point I could put a dent in my forehead and it would stay there for like half an hour.”
Ouch.
He added that he had recently shaved his head and “this happened…word to the wise, wear sunscreen.”
Huckaby told Yahoo Lifestyle that prior to this incident his head was covered by either hair or a hat, so his scalp had never been exposed to this type of sun damage. When asked whether he sought medical attention following the incident, he told Twitter followers that he used Advil and ice to treat the burn.
He revealed: “I knew the swelling was just from the burn, and I wasn’t having any other symptoms of something more serious being wrong with me. I was perfectly healthy other than my head being a few sizes overgrown.”
The incident happened about a month ago, and his head has since returned to normal size.
One of Huckaby’s friends added her own tale of woe about getting too much sun. She posted a pic of her face with one eye sealed shut, writing: “I really feel for you dude this is day 4 of sun poising when I finally could open one eye.”
While his friends jokingly referred to him as Gru from “Despicable Me” and other animated characters, a sunburn is no joke. People who experience serious side affects such as a fever, chills, severe pain, dizziness, fatigue, and other symptoms are advised to contact a doctor for help.
To avoid a sunburn, you should wear sunscreen and protective clothing, such as a hat, long-sleeved shirts and pants, and UV-blocking sunglasses.
