Sun Protection
and Sun Burn

Children, especially small children, are more likely to burn in the sun, because they have thinner skin. It only takes 15 minutes for a child’s skin to burn. Excessive sun exposure in childhood can lead to later skin cancer even if it doesn’t seem severe at the time. All in all it’s better to prevent sun exposure than deal with it’s consequences.

Here are some tips to protects your little one’s skin from the harmful rays of the sun:

• Be sure to use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 to 30. Choose products that are particularly designed for tender, young skin. Apply 30 minutes before going into the sun to get maximum protection. Reapply generously every 2 hours, or more frequently if your child is swimming or sweating a lot. It takes about one to two tablespoons to cover the average toddler.
• Avoid sunscreen in children less than 6 months old. Sunscreen is absorbed through baby’s thin skin. It has not been shown to be harmful, but we’re also not sure that it’s entirely safe for this age group. Instead use a long, white tightly woven T shirt and a wide-brimmed hat. You may apply sunscreen to small areas of your infant’s skin such as the face and the back of the hands if it is otherwise difficult to protect them.
• Avoid sun exposure from 10 am to 3 pm - these are the hours when the sun is most intense.
• Be sure to be extra vigilant if your doctor mentions that a medication your child takes may make him more sensitive to the sun.
• Use opaque zinc oxide sunblock for areas that are highly exposed such as nose, cheeks, and ears.

If your child does get a sunburn, cool compresses, Aveeno oatmeal baths and aloe vera lotions can be soothing, but #1 is prevention. Ibuprofen can also help decrease pain if given in the first 2 days after a sunburn.