Children can't get sunburnt on cloudy days

What the research found

Australian guidance says UV radiation can pass through light cloud cover. It says UV can still be damaging on cool or cloudy days, and you can't see or feel it. Some cold days have high UV levels, while some hot days have low ones. A US paediatric guide says up to 80% of the sun's UV rays can get through clouds.

A Paris study measured UV on sunny days in spring. It found clouds were inefficient at protecting against UV, and UV levels stayed high despite lots of cloud. A one-hour walk reached at least one minimal erythema dose (the amount that starts to redden skin) for skin types I to IV. A review also lists cloud cover as just one of several things that affect how much UV reaches the skin.

A 2004 survey of 965 Maltese secondary students found 'you cannot get too much sun on a cloudy day' was one of the most common misconceptions. The belief is widespread, but the science does not back it.

What it doesn’t mean

• This does not mean children need sun protection every day. Protection is recommended when the UV Index is 3 or higher, so check the daily forecast rather than judging by the look of the sky.
• Sunburn can look different on darker skin. It may show as hot, sensitive, itchy or peeling skin rather than redness.
• If a baby under 1 year gets sunburnt, call a doctor right away. For older children, see a doctor if there is blistering, pain or fever.