Warning over reflective UV after baby suffers second-degree burns

WARNING: Graphic images

Doctors have raised the alarm about the dangers of reflective ultraviolet (UV) rays for children.

Several babies have recently presented at hospital emergency departments in Perth with serious sunburn, even after spending time in mild and overcast conditions.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Babies suffering serious sunburn even in shade.

Ten-week-old Lucy Goddard was treated for second-degree burns in hospital after being sunburnt two weeks ago.

“They remove the top layers of the skin which is where the blisters and the boils were sitting,” her mother Courtney Goddard told 7NEWS.

“Hearing your baby scream through ED is screams you’re not going to forget.”

The family had been outside but in the shade on an overcast day.

Lucy’s burns are from what is called reflective UV.

“(The UV rays are) reflecting off the surrounding environment, so the grass [and] the trees,” PCH clinical nurse consultant Tania McWilliams told 7NEWS.

“Just because they’re in the shade doesn’t mean they are safe.”

Babies under six months have hyper-sensitive skin and it is recommended they do not wear sunscreen.

The advice is to check the UV rating before heading out — anything above three is too high, go outside early in the morning or late in the afternoon, and cover up with loose-fitting clothes.

Generally, almost 20 babies are referred to Perth Children’s Hospital with serious sunburn every year.

“The weather doesn’t mean anything for the UV levels. (That’s) something we learnt the hard way,” Goddard said.

“The day she got burnt, it was raining, and the UV was nine.”

Protecting children from sunburn is critical and the Cancer Council says exposure to UV radiation in the first 18 years of life greatly increases the chance of developing skin cancer as an adult.

Thankfully, Lucy’s delicate skin is healing well and is not expected to scar.