Details of sun protection

Sun protection in the snow

In the snow, there is a high risk of sun damage to exposed skin because UV levels can be a lot higher and you can be exposed to almost twice the dose of UV. This is because at high altitudes UV is more intense than at low altitudes, and the snow can reflect up to 90 per cent of UV radiation.

Make sure you apply a generous amount of sunscreen to all exposed skin 20 minutes before going outside and re-apply every two hours.

Treatment for sunburn

Children can get sunburnt in as little as ten minutes, and depending on the severity, it can take a few days or weeks to heal. Treatment aims to help your child feel more comfortable.

• Give your child plenty of water to drink so that they are well hydrated.
• Cool you child’s skin with cold compresses or a cool bath.
• If required, give your child simple pain relief medicine, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
• Prevent further UV damage by keeping your child indoors.

Signs of severe sunburn include blisters, swollen skin and severe pain. If your child has any of these signs, take them to see your GP.

Sometimes children can get heatstroke, along with sunburn. If your child’s sunburn is accompanied by fever, headaches or nausea and vomiting, take them to the GP