Woman Diagnosed With 'Rare' Case of Third-Degree Sunburn Couldn't Walk for a Week—Now She's Urging Others Not to Make the Same Mistake

A woman on TikTok shared how a simple mistake while paddleboarding left her unable to walk for a week. The woman had to be hospitalized after matters escalated. She took to TikTok to warn other people from making the same mistake as her. In a video posted to TikTok, Taylor Faith revealed how her decision not to wear sunscreen led to dire consequences. The incident took place when she decided to go paddleboarding on a sunny day. The TikToker forgot her sunscreen at home and did not pay too much heed to it. Faith thought that would be a good opportunity to tan. The worst possible outcome that she predicted was a sunburn. At the end of her paddleboarding session, her legs ended up severely burned. The burns were a result of the strong sun combined with the fact that she had spent the whole duration underwater. The TikToker was then rushed to the hospital, reports The Mirror.  The doctors diagnosed her with a rare case of third-degree sunburn. All three layers of her skin were damaged by the sun. "I never thought this would happen to me until it did. It’s so bad, a couple days ago I was thinking I’d rather be [dead] than feel that way," Faith was heard saying in the clip. TikToker couldn't walk due to sunburn (Image Source: taylorfaith/TikTok) The TikToker explains how she felt severely ill after spending the duration she did in the sun. She shared how, along with her skin, the blood vessels in her body were damaged as well. “I think this life lesson is gonna turn me into a sunscreen activist,” Faith said in the video.

⚡️🔆 How not to burn in the sun this summer (and ever again). 🔆⚡️

A foolproof guide to suntanning. 1. Remove ALL unsaturated fats/oils from your diet AND SKINCARE: these increase the risk of oxidative damage when exposed to sunlight and make you burn. 2. ONLY use saturated… pic.twitter.com/RE2NPfAds0 — Veronica (@celestialbe1ng) May 11, 2024 The Mayo Clinic website explains the reason for sunburn is caused when excessive ultraviolet (UV) light penetrates the several layers of the skin. The website also suggests getting phototesting done after conferring with your doctor. The website reveals that corticosteroid cream health care providers usually prescribed if the sunburn is severe. Third-degree sunburns can be extremely dangerous and might even require immediate medical intervention. They can cause damage to blood vessels, nerve endings, and deeper tissues. Symptoms of the same include fever, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, muscle cramps, and nausea. An individual is advised to immediately seek medical attention if they observe any of the symptoms.

With sunny spells set to stay, here’s our list of essentials for enjoying the sunlight safely and responsibly. 😎 pic.twitter.com/liKB4h1vyT

— Macmillan Cancer Support (@macmillancancer) June 17, 2025

The FDA advises against individuals stepping out in the sun from 10 am to 2 pm. It is necessary to wear at least a SPF of 30. Depending on the UV index for the day, you might want to up the SPF on your sunscreen. Dr. Edwin Kuffner, who serves as the chief medical officer, notes how it is impossible to reverse a sunburn. “But once you have a burn, you can soothe your skin and give it time to heal,” he notes.