When kids are outdoors, it's important to protect their skin from too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays (UV rays), which can lead to skin cancer, skin damage, aging and eye injury. Here are some sun care tips to keep in mind:
- Use Sunscreen
Experts recommend that all kids — no matter their skin tone — wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Whatever sunscreen you choose, make sure it's broad-spectrum (protects against both UVA and UVB rays) and if kids are in or near water, is labeled water-resistant. Apply a generous amount and reapply often.
- Avoid the Strongest Rays of the Day
Try to stay in the shade when the sun is at its strongest (usually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the northern hemisphere). If kids are in the sun during this time, apply and reapply sunscreen — even if they're just playing in the backyard. Most sun damage happens during day-to-day activities because it's easy to overlook using sunscreen then. Remember that even on cloudy, cool or overcast days, UV rays reach the earth. This "invisible sun" can cause unexpected sunburn and skin damage.
- Cover Up
One of the best ways to protect skin is to cover up. To see if they offer enough protection, put your hand inside clothes to make sure you can't see it through them. Some clothes have an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) against the sun, so check the labels. Babies have skin that burns more easily, so they should be kept out of the sun whenever possible. If your baby must be in the sun, dress them in lightweight clothing that covers the body, including hats with wide brims to shadow their face.
- Double-Check Medicines
Some medicines make skin more sensitive to UV rays. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any prescription (especially antibiotics and acne medicines) and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines your kids take can increase sun sensitivity. If so, take extra sun precautions. The best protection is simply covering up or staying indoors because even sunscreen can't always protect skin from sun sensitivity.
These tips can help protect your family from harmful sun exposure. If your child does get a sunburn, take the following actions to treat and relieve symptoms:
- Have your child take a cool (not cold) bath, or gently apply cool, wet compresses to the skin to help ease pain and heat.
- Apply a moisturizing cream with aloe vera or aloe vera gel (available in most drugstores) to any sunburned areas.
- Give your child a pain medicine like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease the pain and itching. (Do not give aspirin to children or teens.) Over-the-counter diphenhydramine also may help ease itching and swelling.
- For painful sunburned areas in kids over 2 years old, apply a thin layer of 1% hydrocortisone cream to help with pain. (Do not use petroleum-based products, because they prevent excess heat and sweat from escaping. Also, avoid first-aid products that contain benzocaine, which may cause skin irritation or allergy.)
- Make sure your child drinks plenty of liquids.
If blisters develop, call your doctor. Tell your child not to scratch, pop or squeeze the blisters, which can get infected and cause scarring.
Keep your child out of the sun until the sunburn is healed. If your child needs to go outside, make sure the sunburned areas are completely covered. Any further sun exposure will only make the burn worse and increase pain. If your child has fever, chills, a headache, feels sick to their stomach or confused after getting a sunburn, call your doctor. They might need a health care visit to feel better.
And don't forget to be a good role model. Use sunscreen, wear sunglasses and limit your time in the sun. You'll reduce your risk of sun damage and teach your kids good sun sense.
Source: Information provided by Nemours Children’s Health through its award-winning Nemours KidsHealth website. For more on this topic, visit KidsHealth: Sun Safety