Doctors in Perth have issued a warning about the dangers of reflective ultraviolet (UV) rays after several babies were treated for serious sunburn, even in mild or overcast conditions. Ten-week-old Lucy Goddard suffered second-degree burns two weeks ago while in the shade on an overcast day.
Her mother, Courtney Goddard, described the traumatic experience to 7NEWS, saying hospital staff had to remove the top layers of Lucy's skin due to blisters and boils. “Hearing your baby scream through ED is screams you’re not going to forget,” she said.
Perth Children’s Hospital clinical nurse consultant Tania McWilliams explained that UV rays can reflect off surfaces like grass and trees, meaning shade does not guarantee safety. Babies under six months have hyper-sensitive skin and are not recommended to wear sunscreen.
The advice for parents is to check the UV rating before going outside—anything above three is too high—and to go out early in the morning or late in the afternoon, covering children with loose-fitting clothes. Courtney Goddard noted that the day Lucy was burnt, it was raining but the UV index was nine.
Perth Children’s Hospital sees nearly 20 babies with serious sunburn each year. The Cancer Council warns that UV exposure in the first 18 years of life significantly increases the risk of developing skin cancer as an adult. Fortunately, Lucy’s skin is healing well and is not expected to scar.
