HOSPITAL cases of babies suffering sunburn have jumped 60 per cent, NHS figures reveal.
A total of 182 were treated over the five years to the end of summer 2021 — up from 111 in the previous five.
GettyNHS figures reveal hospital cases of babies suffering sunburn have jumped 60 per cent[/caption]
Many more cases may be on the cards at the next count if last year’s scorching summer is any guide, experts believe.
In one from 2017, a month-old baby had to be treated for third-degree burns at a specialist unit at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, West Sussex.
Many others involved second-degree sunburn, which causes severe pain, blistering and swelling and affects two layers of skin.
Charity Melanoma Focus is calling for VAT to be removed from sunscreen to make it more affordable.
Boss Susanna Daniels said: “Sunburn in childhood can increase the risk of melanoma in later life.
“Just one serious sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing it, so it’s crucial that children are protected from the sun and that they are taught sun safety behaviours from a young age.
“Melanoma skin cancer is the most serious form of skin cancer and the 5th most common cancer in the UK, with around 16,700 new cases and 2,333 deaths every year.
“Fortunately, the vast majority of cases are preventable if people take the necessary precautions.
“Everyone should be regularly applying high factor (SPF30+) sunscreen, wearing a hat, UV-protected sunglasses and seeking shade in the heat of the day and ideally babies and young children should be kept in the shade.
“To reduce the cost of this vital product, we are calling on the Government to remove the Value Added Tax (VAT) for sunscreen making it more accessible to those who cannot afford it.”