Question
Ask the Expert: My three-year-old child was exposed to UV light for nearly an hour. What are the potential effects on the child? Will it affect their future growth?
Answer
The damage caused by UV light to the human body is proportional to the intensity and duration of radiation, meaning the greater the dose, the more severe the harm. Short-term exposure can result in skin redness, itching, and allergic rash. Prolonged exposure can cause significant damage to the skin tissue, and sufficient doses can even lead to skin cancer. UV light exposure to the eyes is also very harmful, with short-term, high-dose exposure causing redness, swelling, tears, and difficulty opening the eyes.