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Your Kids and the Sun
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Suncare for Babies
We can all see that babies have delicate and sensitive skin which can be easily injured by the sun. Babies also have more skin surface area compared to adults, and therefore a sunburn will be more serious. Protecting Your Baby's Skin
Keep babies under one year old out of direct sunlight, either in a covered stroller, under an umbrella or in the shade. This will not only protect their skin against sun damage but will also prevent dehydration or sunstroke. Shield their skin with hats and loose fitting clothing. Closely knit fabrics block out most of the sun's rays. Long sleeved shirts and long pants will cover up most of the body. It is recommended that you do not use sunscreens on babies under six months old. Choosing a Sun Screen
Dermatologists advise using broad spectrum, SPF 15 or higher sun screens to screen out as much as possible of the sun's ultraviolet rays. Look for the Canadian Dermatology Association logo on sunscreen products to be on the safe side. Choose a milky lotion for young children. Sunscreens containing alcohol may burn or sting a child's skin and eyes. Use waterproof products for swimmers and beach goers. Waterproof sunscreens are formulated to stay on in water for up to 80 minutes. Apply a SPF 15 lip balm to the lips. Applying Sun Screens
Children over the age of six months can wear a sunscreen. Always test a small amount of sunscreen an your child's inner forearm. Do not wash this area for two days and then check to see if there are any signs of an adverse reaction. Remember to apply a sunscreen at least 15 to 30 minutes before your kids go outside. Use generous amounts of the product and don't forget the ears, nose, tops of the feet and backs of the knees. Apply carefully around the eyes. Reapply the sunscreen frequently and liberally. A word of caution: No sunscreen offers complete protection from the sun's rays. Try to limit amount of time your family spends out in the sun, especially during the peak hours of II a.m. to 4 p.m. |
What is an SPF?
The SPF or sun protection factor of a sunscreen refers to the protection offered against the sun's ultraviolet B rays, known to cause both sunburn and skin cancer. The SPF of a product relates to the time it would take for your skin to burn when wearing a sunscreen compared to the time it would take for your skin to burn without any protection. In theory, you could stay out in the sun fifteen times longer without burning your skin if you used a SPF 15 sunscreen. In practice, people often don't use enough of the sun screen or don't reapply it and its effectiveness is therefore limited. Bearing in mind how people use sunscreens and the products' ability to screen out ultraviolet rays, sun screens with a SPF of 15 or higher are recommended. Most sunscreens are now labeled "broad-spectrum" and that means they offer protection against a wider range of the sun's rays, including part of the ultraviolet A rays. Recent research suggests that ultraviolet A rays contribute to skin aging, wrinkling and probably the development of skin cancer. The Shadow Test
You can get young children involved in sun protection by showing them how to do the shadow test. It's important to stay in the shade when the sun is directly overhead and its rays are strongest. While your toddler might not be able to tell the time, an easy test is to see if a person's shadow is shorter than they are, and if so it is time to come in or get under some shade. When the shadow is longer than the person, it is safer to go out and play. Summer Camp Tips
When you are packing backpacks for summer camp, don't forget to put in a hat, protective clothing and a SPF 15 sun screen. Remind your kids to stay in the shade as much as possible on outdoor trips. This will not only protect their skin but will also keep them cool and will avoid dehydration. Treating A Sunburn
For babies under one year old, a sunburn should be treated as an emergency. Call your family doctor. If a child one year or older has a sunburn with severe pain, headache, blistering, lethargy or fever, call your doctor. To treat a mild sunburn: Give plenty of fluids: Acetaminophen may be given for pain: Cold compresses can be applied to the red area; A mild cold cream or hydrocortisone 1/2% may also be used. When On Medication
If your children are on medication, check with your doctor before allowing them into the sun. Adverse reactions to sunlight, such as a rash, redness or swelling, can be a side effect of various drugs. |
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