Safe in the sun

Sun exposure and protection is a complex and contradictory area of child health. On the one hand, fresh air and sun are vital for children’s development. Sunlight, for example, is an important source of bone-building vitamin D. On the other hand, too much sun in childhood can seriously increase the risk of skin cancer in later life. Given this, it’s worrying that recent research published in the British Medical Journal shows that the majority of parents still don’t use sunscreens regularly to protect their children.

The study also suggests that adults and children who do use sunscreens may actually be at increased risk of developing skin cancer. This is because high SPF (sun protection factor) creams give sun worshippers a false sense of security, encouraging them to stay out in the sun much longer than they should.

Another twist to the story is that concerns are being raised about the safety of the chemicals used in sunscreens. Benzophenones and PABAs can cause allergic reactions.

So what’s a parent to do?

If you’ve seen your child suffering the agony of severe sunburn, you wouldn’t be blasé about protecting their skin in the future. Skin cancer, like all cancers, is a slow developing disease, often with decades between the trigger (in this case overexposure to the sun) and the emergence of the disease. Research shows that six episodes of serious sunburn before the age of 18 doubles the risk of developing skin cancer as an adult.

On balance, despite the concerns raised above, if your child is going to be out in the sun for extended periods then suncream is essential.