During spring break or summer vacation, it is very common for families – especially kids – to spend time outdoors. Parents, be sure to protect them against the sun’s rays!
Everyone is at risk for sunburn. However, children are more vulnerable, since most sun damage occurs in childhood. Similar to other burns, a sunburn will leave the skin warm, red, and painful. In severe cases, it may cause fever, blistering, headache, chills, and a general feeling of illness.
Your local pediatrics of Plano offers tips to keep your kids sun safe.
- Keep babies who are younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight. Find a shade – may it be under a tree, the stroller canopy, or an umbrella.
- As much as possible, dress the family in cool, comfortable clothing that covers the body, like long-sleeved shirts, lightweight cotton pants, and hats.
- Choose clothes that are made with a tight weave. They offer better protection than clothes with a looser weave.
- Wear a hat with at least a 3-inch brim to shield the face, ears, and back of the neck.
- Limit your sun exposure between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm when the UV rays are strongest.
- Wear sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection. Look for child-sized sunglasses with UV protection for your child.
- Don’t forget to apply sunscreen.
- Make sure everyone in your family knows how to protect his or her eyes and skin. Don’t forget to set a good example by practicing sun safety yourself!
How about sunscreen?
Sunscreen can help shield and protect the skin from some skin cancers and sunburn but only if used the right way.
Below are some sunscreen tips from your local pediatrics of Plano:
- Choose a sunscreen that has “broad-spectrum” on the label. This means that it will help shield against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has at least 15 to 30 sun protection factor (SPF).
- Whenever possible, avoid the ingredient oxybenzone in sunscreens due to concerns about mild hormonal properties.
- Choose a sunscreen with zinc or titanium oxide for sensitive areas of the body such as the cheeks, nose, shoulders, and the tops of the ears. They stay visible on the skin after application and come in fun colors that will delight the kids.
Sunburns: when should you call your local pediatrics of Plano?
If your baby is younger than 1 year old and gets a sunburn, contact your baby’s doctor immediately. For older kids, get in touch with your child’s doctor if there is blistering, pain, or fever.
Sources:
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sun-safety.html
https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/children/sun-safety-tips-for-infants-babies-and-toddlers
https://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/sun_safety
