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A 10-year-old boy has suffered serious burns after using sunscreen that had expired during his vacation.
A 10-year-old boy from the UK, identified as Hector Harvey , was forced to undergo surgery after suffering severe burns while enjoying a family holiday in Cape Verde, an archipelago off the coast of Africa.
Medical authorities have said the injuries could have been caused by the use of sunscreen that had already expired.
Hector’s family, made up of his mother Natalie, her partner Ben and his brother Hugo, noticed that they had run out of sunscreen during the last few days of their holiday.
A family trip that ended in tragedy
They decided to buy a new sunscreen with SPF 90 in a shop inside the hotel where they were staying. However, they did not suspect that this would be the beginning of a traumatic experience for the whole family.
Sunscreen was applied to both Hector and Ben before they headed to the pool on a sunny day, with temperatures reaching 29°C. However, after a few hours, the boy began to show signs of sunburn.
Upon returning to the UK on 24 August, Hector’s mother sought medical assistance and called the emergency services at Birmingham Airport.
How long were you hospitalized?
Doctors at Queen’s Medical Centre assessed Hector and found he had suffered burns covering 9% of his body and large blisters.
Hector remained in hospital for several days and, after his discharge, had to wear bandages for almost a week. Despite the injuries, his mother, Natalie, assures that there will be no visible scars. ” I don’t think he will have any scars, although at the moment his skin is blotchy and has many red spots ,” she explained.
Today, Hector still has affected skin, which Natalie says “looks like hot water has been poured over it.” This condition has forced the family to be extremely cautious in caring for his skin.
Over the next two years, Hector’s skin will be particularly vulnerable, so the family will need to take extra precautions to protect him from the sun and avoid any complications.
Importance of checking product expiration dates
Checking the expiration dates on skin products is crucial to ensure their effectiveness and safety. Expired products , such as sunscreens, creams, and lotions, can lose their protective properties and cause damage to the skin.
Using expired products can not only reduce their effectiveness, but also cause irritation, allergies or even burns.
Keeping an eye on expiration dates helps prevent these risks and ensures that your skin receives the care and protection it needs to stay healthy.
