How to protect your child's skin from the sun

The major exposure age level of the skin to the sun takes place before the 20 years of age. Protecting the vulnerable skin of children helps to reduce the future risk of skin cancer.

Although children of white parents are more susceptible and have more probabilities of getting sunburnt, but nevertheless dark skinned children are not free from the risks. Most parents are not aware that sun burns in early childhood are one of the causes of skin cancers (malignant melanoma, carcinoma of basal cells, carcinoma of flaky cells.et Ce tra) and early signs of aging in adult age.

In general, it is advisable, to keep children, away from exposure to sun in the hours of greater intensity (between 11a.m and 4p.m on sunny days), when the sun’s intensity is at its highest, that is when 70% of the ultraviolet radiation take place.

Sun protecting Cream

- make sure kids are protected with a sunscreen or sun block, and one with a solar protection factor of at least 15(SPF 15). This means that the time for a sun burn to occur is reduced at least 15 times than when the child wasn’t wearing a sun protecting cream.

- It must be a cream with protection of ample phantom, which means blocks UVA rays as well as UVB rays. The lotions that blocks the more dangerous UVA rays with titanium dioxide leaves a white layer on the skin, but this does not bother the children. It’s advisable to avoid the lotions that contain PABA (p-amino benzoic acid). PABA produces frequent allergies, and stains the clothes in an indelible form.

- remember that you must apply the cream or lotion 30 minutes before exposure to the sun and, then, every two hours and after each bath (except if the product’s prospectus or guide says that it is water resistant).

T-shirt and hat

• Always cover to babies and younger children with a clothing e.g. t-shirts (made of cotton) and hats.

• encourage the kids to bathe with their t-shirts on: this also helps to reduce the sun’s penetration. The sport stores sell whole body bathing suits that also offer major protection.

-make sure the kids are dressed in cotton clothes, with bright colors ,because bright colors reflects the sun rays and help the child remain in the right temperature.

Parasol

-do not forget that the skins of new borns are extremely sensible. Until recently, the pediatricians recommended avoiding solar creams until the baby turned six months. Now, several studies have discarded injurious effects on babies, but it should only be used with care, that is, in small quantity. Even with them, the babies must always be protected from the sun.

• Always cover baby’s car with a parasol or make sure his/her hat is always on.

If, in spite of everything, the child get sun burnt:

• Apply a humid cloth in the burned area.

• If the child is above five years, apply congealed vegetable packages (always wrapped in a cloth, never apply directly) on the reddened zone.

• bicarbonate of soda diluted in water or aloe Vera cream helps refresh the skin and calms the burns.

• The creams with a small percentage of hydrocortisone (from 0.5% to 1%) reduce the pain and contribute to the healing process.

• If the child has about 10% of the body sun burnt, and has signs of dehydration (dry skin and lips, confusion, lethargy…), has blisters, fever or complains of pain, you have to call the doctor.