A five-year-old suffered first degree burns and could be scarred for life after having a “chemical reaction” – to sun cream.
Dad Ashley Martin, 23, slathered son Oscar in Banana Boat No Tears SPF 50 sun cream he bought from Tesco before sending him outside to play.
But two hours later Oscar raced in from the garden screaming in agony complaining his “skin was on fire” – and he woke up the next day covered in puss-filled blisters.
Medics initially treated him for sunburn, but when his skin began to peel off and the blisters burst he was rushed to A&E.
Doctors diagnosed and treated the schoolboy for first degree burns caused by a chemical reaction to the cream, his dad claims.
He was referred to a specialist burns unit to prevent further damage and try to prevent permanent scarring.
Furious Ashley, from Newport, South Wales, said: “It was a hot Bank Holiday Monday and I was setting the table for Oscar to have his ham sandwich before he came running.
“He was crying and screaming ‘Mummy, Daddy, I’m burning’.
“He was only out there for two hours, if that. Over the next few days we gave him Calpol, cold showers and the flamazine cream but nothing seemed to be working.
“The doctors said the sun cream shouldn’t be sold over here because it’s an American product and they aren’t as stringent when testing their products.
“You would think a sun cream that has ‘Tear-free’ and SPF 50 plastered on it would be fine so that’s why I didn’t mind spending £10 on it.”
Ashley thought Oscar was sunburned so smothered Aloe Vera across Oscar’s back, chest and shoulders to help alleviate the pain.
But the next morning Oscar’s body was “roasting” and covered in a dozen 6cm blisters.
Concerned Ashley booked an emergency GP appointment later that day where Oscar was diagnosed with sunburn and prescribed flamazine cream.
But he said Oscar spent the night screaming “Help me, I’m burning” and Ashley booked another GP appointment when he claims nurses advised cream and cold showers.
When the blisters burst, Ashley took Oscar to Wythybush Hospital A&E where he said doctors treated the lad for first degree burns brought on by a chemical reaction.
Medics also warned the schoolboy may be scarred for life due to the long period of time Oscar went untreated, he said.
“They were shocked none of the GPs bothered to do a skin test,” he said.
“And because Oscar’s burns were treated as sunburn rather than a chemical reaction he could be left scarred for life across his shoulders and lower back. I’m so angry.
“He spent the rest of his half term indoors. He’s scared to go out in the garden now as he fears it will happen again.”
Two weeks on Oscar still has redness and soreness to his chest, shoulders and back.
“Oscar has to have a T-shirt on at all times. He still can’t have a proper bath as he has to have lukewarm water and sensitive skin products.
“He went back to school this week and he’s had to spend his lunchtime inside while his friends go out and play.”
Furious Ashley has attempted to contact Banana Boat demanding answers but is yet to have a reply.
The dad-of-two is now speaking out to warn parents of the danger posed by the brand.
“I didn’t realise the backlash this product got last year but I just urge parents not to by this product.
“I would just hate to see another kid go through what Oscar has been through.”
Last year mum Claire Tymon, from Hull, claimed Banana Boat left her children’s skin resembling “burnt bacon” while holidaying in Spain.
Despite applying SPF factor 50 Banana Boat UltraMist sun screen several times as instructed Claire says kids Louie, nine, and daughter Millie, 13, were left with horrific burns and also faced being scarred for life.
A spokesman for Banana Boat said: “We are sorry to hear of this case. We take each customer’s concerns seriously and investigate all cases when we are contacted.
“We work diligently to provide high-quality, cost-effective sun protection products, and we are greatly concerned when any person is burned by the sun or encounters a reaction when using our products.
“Our products are tested by qualified independent laboratories using the mandatory European Union and other government agencies test methods and formal quality reviews of the results.”
