Do As I Say Not As I Did
Dec 18th, 2007 by Don Ray
I know that many will be happy when I get off this sunburn theme and back to Panama related posts. Believe me that I would like to be posting other photos, but this is Panama related. Most of the time, in Panama, the sky is clear and bright and there is plenty of sun. Without a little caution, you can easily look just like this.One thing you will see a lot of, in Panama, is umbrellas. Many times when you see them, it will not be on a rainy day, but on a clear bright day. All Panamanians know that that they should protect themselves.
I know, I screwed up. So let my pain remind you to protect yourself. Longs shirts and long paints and a brimmed hat are a good idea if your going to be out a lot. Yes, you may sweat, but would you rather sweat of burn? Sunscreen of at least 40 is also recommended on all areas that the sun will be able to reach.
If you looked hard at yesterday’s post you could see discolorations where blisters are forming. In this photo, taken a few moments ago, they are a little more visible. The dark spots are where there is a hair.
If I have been lying horizontal, for a while, and then get up, I am having excruciating pain. I think it is for two reasons. the blood rushing to the legs is one. Another is that the skin has dried out while I was asleep. Sleeping is not easy. I can only sleep on my back because I can’t turn on my side.
Maybe the doctor’s instructions will be of interest to some. I have two creams. One is an antibiotic & and hydro-cortisone cream. I have to wash my legs with soap and water twice a day. Each time I am to soap and rinse three times. After washing the legs as described, I apply the cream. It is interesting to me, that just touching the hairs on my legs hurts to no end.
The second cream is also a hydro-cortisone cream without the antibiotic. I was told to keep it in the icebox and apply it three times a day. I am also taking tablets that are an antihistamine.
I am just realizing how fortunate that I was, to have been born a human and not a Cornish game hen that was destined for the rotisserie. I have come as close to getting cooked as I care to get
Hi,
Eouch!
Here’s some more treatment that would be a great adjunct to what you’re already using.
Aloe vera is a great natural healing substance for burns. Snap a piece straight from the plant, and gently rub the naturally seeping gel on the burn. Or aloe vera gel, which is, at least here, sole both in pharmacies, and grocery stores, is also really moisturizing and soothing. We’ve got a couple of bottles/ tubes, one with Lidocaine added. We keep the bottles of gel in in the fridge, so it’s also really cooling, which adds to the relief.
Living in Portland, OR, where it rains steady for months at a time, not too much cause for using it most of the time, but even for “kitchen” burns it works wonders. I’m totally redhead complected, so gotta be really careful myself.
Maybe a friend can run get you some. They’ve got to have it locally, I’d think.
Don has a funny (in retrospect) story about being a member of the “Sun Club” in Grand Rapids Michigan…before we met…in his early 20’s, in those crazy early ’70’s. It was a nudist camp, and he took a long long lie down in the sun…on his stomach. Talk about burning where the sun don’t shine…LOL. He said, he mostly had to stand up for a week, and his skin pealed off on his sheets when he tried to lie down and sleep. Uck. OK gross enough.
Best, Charlotte
Hi Charlotte,
Yes, I have used the natural Aloe Vera from the plant. I think I am doing all I need to, I just need time now.
I guess the good thing about your Don story, was that his sunburn was on his back. It could have been worse.
OUCH!!! Makes me hurt just looking at you! Yes, I can definitely see where it’s beginning to blister. I know what you mean about the intense sun there in Panama. I was in Bocas del Toro about three years ago and picked up some serious heat stress from being out in the direct sun too long resulting in severe headache and serious GI upset. I’ll NEVER do that again. And Yes, I did see Panamanians walking around with umbrellas. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
Oh Yeah! And he probably would have deserved it, from what I’ve heard about his youthful reputation!
Cheyl, Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Caution is the word!
Charlotte. I don’t think anyone deserves crispy tater tots.
As a red-head I can relate to your condition…been there done that…and hopfully I won’t again. I can recommend vinegar when the itching starts (usually about when the peeling starts after the blisters do their thing). Stings a bit when you first put it on but it work! Heal well….
Later,
J
I am a ex-redhead. I have used the vinegar and it has helped. Thanks for dropping in and sharing my pain.
Don just came home, and, guess what… it was the tater tots. He says it was awful. Yep I bet.
OK I’m done!
Not as done as he was, I bet!
Well, Don Ray, I’ve resisted as long as I could, but can’t help but to note that in light of your photographs, no doubt your readers are thankful that you hadn’t been at a nudist colony and forgot to put sun screen on your rear end.
They can’t be nearly as thankful as I am.
If you can try to get some Silvadene. It is used in the states for burns but is great for sunburns. Don’t know if doctor script needed or if you can buy it over the counter there. Hope you are feeling better soon. Jan
Haven’t heard of it. I will check on it.
Hey Don!
Maybe the Doc can do something about those corns & bunions next time you’re up on the examining table?!!
Nobody has suggested this; Get down to PriceSmart and score some Ron Abuelo Anejo 7 year old rum. The wife is (somewhat) successfully medicating herself for a disc problem in her neck with Ron Centenario..Maybe the Abuelo would work too?? I gave the bottle I bought in Panama to an old (timer) friend here who fixed the barbed wire fence out back and set straight a whacked out Tico neighbor for me (fence issues, roaming cattle…etc etc..)
So cheer up, get some rest and watch a few movies. We recently viewed & enjoyed; Good Night & Good Luck, Master & Commander and ‘V’ for Vendetta (second time- GREAT FLICK imho)…I also think ‘Children of Men’ could be an instructional movie to watch (Post-Armageddon flick-watched it on the PTY-David bus one time).
Remember, when the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
-Hunter Thompson (I think!)
Have you tried the spray Lidocaine? It makes me hurt to even look at the pictures. We were in Panama for 3 years, never have I felt such intense heat. When it gets “hot” here in the summer, I tell people, you’ve never been to Panama.
Hi Jeanette.
No, but the medicine I am taking seems to be doing all right. Actually, I don’t think that Panama can hold a candle to Texas in the summer. We do have clear skies and no pollution to mask the direct sun.
Thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment.
Don Ray: I know you are close to my age, so, DUH????? I feel for you but DUH????? I keep telling my husband that men don’t ask for directions, or follow instructions learned through a lifetime. I looked at your pictures and I actually feel the hurt you are feeling, but, DUH?? Where are our brains before we do something?
Our hurt reminds us of what we should have done and (now I know what a wife is for. or friends). We all love you. Take care…
Hi Charlotte. Sometimes I think my purpose here is to remind others not to make the same mistakes that I make.
Thanks for dropping in and leaving the comment.
Oh, gosh, that looks so painful. This article is a few days old now, so I hope that you are feeling much better, although I guess you still have the nasty peeling to go through. You poor thing!
Hi La Gringa,
Yes, now I am peeling something terrible. At least the pain is gone.