Too many children are sun tanned because parents are increasingly abandoning sun cream, NHS England warns

The image of a sun-kissed child on a summer's day may strike most parents as the picture of health.

But health experts claim that a golden glow may be more harmful than it appears as they warn that too many children are becoming sun tanned because parents are increasingly abandoning sun cream. 

The warning comes as research from NHS England and the Met Office found almost two fifths of parents mistakenly believe that suntans are a sign of good health.

NHS England said the findings showed a "worryingly relaxed attitude" towards sun care among the parents of young children, highlighting the fact that one in ten parents of children aged 2-7 admitting they have encouraged them to sunbathe.

The study, of 1,000 parents with children aged 11 and under, found that more than a fifth do not apply any sunscreen on their child until they are visibly starting to burn.

A similar number (20 per cent) said they wait until their child asks for sun screen before applying it.

This is despite the fact a strong link has been found between sunburn in childhood and the development of skin cancer in later years, making it a vital time for parents to ensure their children are protected.

Dr Nigel Acheson, an NHS England Medical Director, explained this is because "children’s skin is much more vulnerable to UV rays than adult skin", adding "it’s important that parents keep children well protected when out in the sun and avoid encouraging them to sunbathe or tan". 

Despite the health warnings, seven per cent of parents with children aged 6-11 said they allowed them to use a sunbed. 

In addition, by the time their child has reached eight years old, 23 per cent of parents expect them to apply sunscreen themselves.

The research suggested the figures could in some way be explained by a vanity factor, with almost half (44 per cent) of those surveyed commenting that a tan looked attractive.

The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) also suggested it could be down to mixed health messages parents receive.

Nina Goad, from the BAD, said: “Parents receive a lot of health messages that they have to absorb and pass on to their children, and sometimes these messages can be conflicting, which adds to confusion. However, there is one simple message for parents - sunburn and tanning are both signs of sun damage and are dangerous. 

"This doesn’t mean that children shouldn’t go outside and play, just that basic precautions are taken when it's sunny.

“By instilling good sun protection behaviour at an early age, you give your children the best possible chance of avoiding health issues in the future, particularly skin cancer, the most common cancer in the UK.”

With 40 per cent of children experiencing sunburn in the last two years, the Met Office and NHS England have launched a skin cancer awareness campaign called 'Cover Up Mate'.

The campaign advises parents to ensure  exposed parts of a child's skin with sun protection factor 15 or above, even on cloudy days, as well as dressing them in a wide brim hat to shade their face and neck on sunny days. 

On Monday a month old baby was rushed to Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, Sussex after suffering severe sunburn during the heatwave.

According to the hospital, the baby was one of 13 children admitted due to burns in recent weeks, with many suffering injuries from barbecues.

Consultant plastic surgeon Nora Nugent told the Brighton Argus: “No parent intends for their child to get sunburnt and accidents do happen.

“On hot, sunny days, sunburn can happen very quickly even when you’re not outside very long.

“We encourage those looking after children to spend a few minutes applying sunscreen before they go out in the sun and to remember to reapply the sunscreen regularly.”