It's good to play outdoors in the sunshine and family friendly activities can really make for an enjoyable time. However, unprotected exposure to the sun can cause skin and eye damage, immune system suppression and in the worst case cancer.
It's important for everyone to guard against the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays, but keeping children safe in the sun without dulling their enthusiasm for playing out of doors is a problem many parents or guardians face. The good news is that protecting children doesn't have to be time consuming or expensive.
Who are Most at Risk from Sun Exposure?
- Children with moles on their skin, or whose parents have a tendency to develop moles.
- Children with very fair skin.
- Children with light coloured eyes, in particular blue eyed children.
- Children who have a family history of skin cancer.
Some Simple Sun Protection Measures for Children
Limit Sun Exposure -
- It is generally recommended to stay out of the sun as much as possible between 10am and 4pm. However, this is not always possible or practical, so avoiding the sun between noon and 2pm when the sun is at its strongest is helpful.
Always Use Sunscreen/Sunblock -
- Ensure the sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Follow the directions on the product labels and choose sun protection of SPF 15 or higher. For young children, particularly fair skinned or children not used to playing outside where sun exposure isn't common an SPF of 30 to 50 would be prudent.
- Apply generously and regularly; include the lips and ears. Re-apply every 2 or 3 hours.
- The waterproof facility of the sunscreen may last up to 80 minutes when children are in the water but regardless of the directions on the label it's best to re-apply as soon as they come out of the water.
Cover Up -
- Choose loose clothing with a tight weave, i.e you can't see through it. This provides the most effective protection and wearing a t-shirt in the sea or swimming pool can increase the protection for sensitive areas,such as shoulders and the back.
Wear a Hat -
- Hats with a wide brim or a peak that shade the face are best.
Sit in the Shade -
- At the beach or poolside an umbrella or parasol will provide shade. A light-weight pop up tent may be an option to provide a sheltered place for children to rest and play.
Wear Sunglasses or Protective Eyewear -
- When choosing sunglasses look for a recognised safety standard, such as the European CE mark of quality.
- Ensure the label clearly states the glasses provide 100% protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
- It can be difficult to convince children to wear sunglasses but encouraging them to choose a style and colour they like can help.
Double Check Medications -
- It's wise to check with the family GP or a pharmacist before exposure to the sun if children are on any medication. Some products can increase the skin's sensitivity to UV rays and additional skin protection may be required.
Of course it goes without saying that sun protection is important on 'sunny days,' but the harmful UV rays can still cause damage on cloudy days. So it is advisable to use sun protection measure at all times.
Finally, special care is needed for infants under 6 months old. Their skin is unable to tolerate sunscreen and so should be kept out of the sun at all times.
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