Sun Safety

With one in five Americans developing skin cancer, childhood education about sun safety is a vital step toward reducing risk and improving public health. Besides the immediate effect of sunburn, over time excess UV radiation can cause skin cancer, eye damage, immune system suppression, and premature aging. Children are highly susceptible to harmful UV radiation. Most children have between 50% and 80% of their lifetime sun exposure before age 18.

With the right precautions, kids can safely play in the sun. Here are some effective strategies:

  • avoid the strongest rays of the day…between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day
  • apply sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside…reapply every two hours
  • cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses
  • keep newborns out of the sun
  • avoid tanning and tanning salons

A sunburn can happen to your child, especially after a long day at the beach or park. If your child does get a sunburn, the following tips may help you make him or her more comfortable (from Kids Health):

  • keep your child in the shade until the sunburn is healed
  • have your child take a cool (not cold) bath, or gently apply cool, wet compresses to the skin to help alleviate pain and heat
  • apply pure aloe vera gel to any sunburned areas…it’s excellent for relieving sunburn pain and helping skin heal quicker
  • give your child a pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen and spray on over-the-counter “after-sun” pain relievers. Do not, however, give aspirin to children or teens.
  • apply topical moisturizing cream to rehydrate the skin and help reduce swelling. Do not use petroleum-based products, because they prevent excess heat and sweat from escaping.

If the sunburn is severe and blisters develop, call your doctor.

Kids Health also says, “Being a good role model by wearing sunscreen and limiting your time in the sun not only reduces your risk of becoming sunburned, it reduces your child’s risk, too. By using a variety of sun protection measures, such as keeping your child indoors during peak hours and encouraging your child to wear hats, sunglasses, and long-sleeved shirts, as well as using sunscreen, you can decrease your child’s exposure to the damaging effects of the sun.”

Check out Kids Health for more information.

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June 28, 2006 | Filed Under Health & Safety 

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