Educational Article

---

Here you will find educational articles on topics relating to your family’s health. Click here for our articles archive.

Sun Safety

One blistering sunburn during childhood more than doubles a person’s chances of developing skin cancer later in life and unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun in as little as 15 minutes. Kids don’t have to be at the pool, beach, or on vacation to be overexposed to the sun. Your child’s skin needs protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever he goes outside for a period of time, and parents need to be vigilant about sun protection at all times.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is part of the electromagnetic light spectrum that reaches Earth from the sun. The wavelengths are shorter than visible light, making them invisible to the naked eye. There are three classifications of wavelengths: UVA, UVB, UVC. Both UVA and UVB extend to the earth, but UVC rays are mostly absorbed by the ozone layer. UVA rays account for up to 95 percent of all UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. UVB rays damage the skin’s outermost layer and are the rays that cause sunburn and sun poisoning. UVA penetrates the skin deeper than UVB, and plays a major part in aging, wrinkling, and skin cancer.

Below are sun safety guidelines for children 0-6 months, 6-12 months, and over one year.

Infants under 6 months should be kept out of the sun as much as possible, because their skin is too sensitive for sunscreen. Babies are extra susceptible to the sun’s damaging effects, because their skin possesses little melanin, the pigment that gives color and protection to skin. To protect infants under 6 months:

• Use removable mesh window shields to keep direct sunlight from coming in through car windows
• Dress your baby in lightweight clothing that covers both the arms and legs
• Dress your child in a wide-brimmed or bucket hat to protect the face, neck, and ears from sun exposure.

After 6 months, it is safe to begin using sunscreen on babies, but it is important to note all sunscreen products do not have the same ingredients and protection. If your child’s skin reacts badly to one brand, try another, or call one of our pediatricians to discuss the reaction. Although your baby can now wear sunscreen, avoiding the sun or seeking shade is his best defense against sunburn. Apply SPF 15+ to your child at least 30 minutes before going outdoors. Sunscreen should be applied every two hours, or after swimming or excessive sweating.

For children older than one year, follow these general steps to protect from the sun’s harmful rays. Educating your children on the sun’s harmful effects and the importance of protection is vital to creating life long sun safety habits.

• Seek shade: UV rays are the strongest midday, from 10am-4pm. It is best to plan indoor activities during this time, if possible. If not, seek shade under a tree, umbrella or tent to prevent sunburn.
• Cover up: Clothes made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection from the sun. When possible, have your child wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants for protection. Keep the clothing lightweight, so as not to overheat your child on hot days.
• Wear a hat: Hats with wide brims offer the best protection from harmful UV rays. Wide-brimmed hats help shade the face, scalp, ears and neck. Although baseball caps are popular, they don’t offer protection for the ears and neck. If a baseball cap is worn, be sure to apply extra sunscreen to these exposed areas.
• Wear sunglasses: Studies show that protecting the eyes from ultraviolet rays can help to prevent cataracts later in life. Look for sunglasses that wrap around your child’s head, and block as close to 100% of UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• Apply & reapply: Along with covering up and seeking shade, sunscreen aids in protecting the skin from harmful rays. Be sure to evenly apply over all areas of skin exposed to the sun, with special attention to the face, ears, nose, lips, and tops of feet. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, after swimming or exercise.

Keep in mind applying sunscreen does not mean children should play in the sun all day. Combine sunscreen with hats, protective clothing, sunglasses and limit sun exposure during the peak sun times. It is also important to note that cloudy days don’t mean sunscreen can be forgotten. Clouds don’t block UV rays, only slightly filter them, so sunburn is still possible on days where the sun isn’t present. For more tips and information on sun safety, call our office at (252) 636-1919, or discuss your concerns with a CarolinaEast Pediatrics physician during your child’s next appointment.

Source:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Skin Cancer Foundation