The importance of Suncream

We are all aware by now that the dangers of going out in the sun unprotected spread further than the hot red pain of sun burn yet it has been reported in the news over the last week that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of children being admitted to hospital with severe sunburn.  Some schools have even taken the measure to not allow children to play outside at lunch time in order to ensure the children are kept safe from the sun! Imagine not being allowed to play outside because it is too nice? Is this a step too far? Who is responsible for ensuring that children do not get sun burnt at school?

I am lucky that my children are very good at having their suncream applied and my eldest will even remind me if he thinks I’ve forgotten.  As a family we have got through three bottles of suncream so far in 6 weeks or so. My son suffers from eczema and has quite sensitive skin. It has taken me until this summer, when he is almost 4, to find a suncream that his skin is happy with. It has been an expensive case of trial and error and I’m relieved to have finally found something I can trust and won’t be deviating from it any time soon but typically it’s not a bargain price point.  I was surprised to discover this week that suncream is actually classed as a “luxury item” and as such is subject to VAT!   Suncream is so expensive and it is certainly making a dent in my grocery budget.  It is so vital to protect our children from the sun as the effects can be so far reaching, sunburn in children is much more likely to lead to cancer in adulthood.  The more I think about it the more I wonder if suncream for children should actually be available on prescription or subsidised, surely it would save the government money in the long run. Prevention is better than the cure!

Author:- Colette Burgess from We're going on an Adventure