Protect Your Kids from the Sun

While it's rainy, windy, and 43 degrees in Omaha as I post this, I know there are plenty of other places where people are welcoming spring and soaking up the rays. While we pediatricians definitely encourage outdoor activity, please be sure to protect your kids from the sun. Make it a routine each spring to check the expiration date on your sunscreen and toss the ones that have expired. Believe me, I know from personal experience that sunscreen can actually expire.

Again, topic copied from American Academy of Pediatric's Healthy Children.

What's the best way to protect my child in the sun?

Follow these simple rules to protect your family from sunburns now and from skin cancer later in life.

* Keep babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight. Find shade under a tree, umbrella, or the stroller canopy.
* When possible, dress yourself and your kids in cool, comfortable clothing that covers the body, like lightweight cotton pants, long-sleeved shirts, and hats.
* Select clothes made with a tight weave - they protect better than clothes with a looser weave. If you’re not sure how tight a fabric’s weave is, hold it up to see how much light shines through. The less light, the better.
* Wear a hat or cap with a brim that faces forward to shield the face.
* Limit your sun exposure between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, when UV rays are strongest.
* Wear sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection (look for child-sized sunglasses with UV protection for your child). - UVB!
* Use sunscreen.
* Set a good example. You can be the best teacher by practicing sun protection yourself. Teach all members of your family how to protect their skin and eyes.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen can help protect the skin from sunburn and some skin cancers, but only if used correctly. Keep in mind that sunscreen should be used for sun protection, not as a reason to stay in the sun longer.

How to Pick Sunscreen

* Use a sunscreen that says “broad-spectrum” on the label - that means it will screen out both UVB and UVA rays.
* Use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. The higher the SPF, the more UVB protection the sunscreen has.
* Look for the new UVA “star” rating system on the label. - this is news to me!
o One star is low UVA protection.
o Two stars is medium protection.
o Three stars is high protection.
o Four stars is the highest UVA protection available in an over-the-counter sunscreen product.
* For sensitive areas of the body, such as the nose, cheeks, tops of the ears, and the shoulders, choose a sunscreen or sunblock with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. While these products usually stay visible on the skin even after you rub them in, some now come in fun colors that kids enjoy.

Sunscreen for Babies

* For Babies younger than 6 months. Use sunscreen on small areas of the body, such as the face and the backs of the hands, if protective clothing and shade are not available.
* For babies older than 6 months. Apply to all areas of the body, but be careful around the eyes. If your baby rubs sunscreen into her eyes, wipe the eyes and hands clean with a damp cloth. If the sunscreen irritates her skin, try a different brand or try a sunscreen stick or sunscreen or sunblock with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. If a rash develops, talk with your child’s doctor.

How to apply sunscreen

* Use enough sunscreen to cover all exposed areas, especially the face, nose, ears, feet, and hands and even the backs of the knees. Rub it in well.
* Put sunscreen on 30 minutes before going outdoors. It needs time to absorb into the skin.
* Use sunscreen any time you or your child might sunburn. Remember that you can get sunburn even on cloudy days. Also, UV rays can bounce back from water, sand, snow, and concrete so make sure you’re protected.
* Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. Sunscreen wears off after swimming, sweating, or just from soaking into the skin.