A young mum has spoken out after her baby girl ended up with severe sunburn and blistering during just a few cloudy hours outdoors — a stark reminder that Scotland’s skies can still burn, even when they don’t look sunny.
‘We Thought We Were Covered’
Lauren Leishman, 22, from East Lothian, says she still can’t believe what happened to her 12-month-old daughter, Rhegan.
The family headed to a local farm show in Haddington on June 28. It was chilly, with everyone in jumpers. Lauren put on factor 50 suncream for Rhegan “just to be safe.”
One line: They were outside for barely three hours.
But that evening, the toddler’s face started turning red — and by the next morning, Lauren says Rhegan’s skin was “glowing” and covered in painful, fluid-filled blisters.
Rushed to Hospital for Treatment
Seeing the burns worsen overnight, Lauren and partner Kai took Rhegan straight to the Royal Hospital for Children & Young People in Edinburgh. Nurses treated the baby’s face and hands, warning the skin would likely peel away to raw layers underneath.
One-liner: It was a frightening lesson for a young family who’d done everything they thought they should.
Lauren says she now wants other parents to know that UV rays in Scotland can still cause serious burns — even when it’s cloudy or cool.
Sun Safety Misconceptions
Many people wrongly assume that overcast weather means no risk of sunburn. But UV rays can easily penetrate cloud cover, especially in open spaces like fields or near reflective surfaces.
One quick fact: The NHS says UV rays can be strongest between 11am and 3pm — even when it feels chilly.
Lauren says she reapplied the suncream and thought factor 50 would do the trick. But strong UV exposure, combined with a baby’s delicate skin, turned what should’ve been a carefree family day out into a hospital trip.
A Lesson Learned the Hard Way
Looking back, Lauren says she feels guilty but wants others to learn from their ordeal:
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Always reapply suncream more often than you think.
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Keep babies in the shade where possible.
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Use hats, long sleeves and protective clothing — not just sunscreen.
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Check UV levels on your weather app, even on cloudy days.
One-sentence para: “I’ll never make the same mistake again,” she says.
Baby Rhegan is recovering well, but Lauren says she’ll be doubling down on shade and protective gear whenever they head out — rain or shine.
