Children warned to keep away from sun

Children who get sunstroke even once during their childhood will carry the risk of melanoma all their life.

And protecting children from UV rays does not stop on sunny days because clouds do not prevent the sun’s rays penetrating, Chris Fearne, who chairs a children’s NGO, said yesterday.

The organisation, called Celebrities for Kids, launched its fourth educational video during the hottest week of the year so far.

In the video called Mind the Sun, local TV presenter Moira Delia warns that exposure to harmful rays can have long-lasting effects on children. It leads to premature wrinkling and loss of elasticity, and makes children more susceptible to infectious diseases, including viruses and cold sores.

Dr Fearne, who is a consultant paediatric surgeon, said that, despite the name, more children suffered cold sores during the summer than in winter.

Apart from damaging the skin, UV rays increase the risk of skin cancer and also lead to the development of cataracts in the eyes.

Too much sun exposure, especially during childhood, is thought to be a contributing factor in 90 per cent of skin cancer cases.

Dr Fearne said that, while the incidence of melanoma in Malta had doubled over the past 25 years, the mortality rate stands at one in every six sufferers.

Sunglasses, UV protective clothing, including bathing suits and hats, high factor sun block, and staying out of the sun’s reach between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. reduce the risk to children’s health.