It wasn’t long ago that a suntan was considered a healthy glow. However, today we know that tanned skin is damaged skin and that sun exposure can have serious consequences to our physical appearance and health, including the development of skin cancer. Up to two-thirds of all cases of melanoma – the most dangerous form of skin cancer – can be linked to sun exposure.
The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that about 80 percent of the average person’s lifetime sun damage occurs before age 18. Therefore, it’s important to make sure your child is properly protected from the sun.
When your child is outside, remember the ABCs of skin protection:
A = Away. Stay away from the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the sun’s damaging UV rays are most intense.
B = Block. Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher. Sunscreens should block both UVA and UVB. The higher the SPF rating, the more protection your skin has.
C = Cover up. Wear a T-shirt, sunglasses and a hat.
S = Speak out. Talk to your family and friends about sun protection.
Children younger than 6 months of age should not have prolonged exposure to the sun. However, if adequate shade or protective clothing is not available, apply a minimal amount of sunscreen to the baby’s face and hands.
If your child does suffer a sunburn:
• Put him or her into a cool bath or use cool compresses on burned areas.
• Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve the pain.
• Apply aloe gel, hydrocortisone cream or a topical pain reliever to burned areas. Avoid Benadryl and benzocaine, Vaseline or moisturizers that trap heat into the skin.
Remember to examine your child’s skin each month for unusual growths. Skin cancer only partially comes from the sun. Ask your doctor if you are concerned about a growing or changing skin lesion.
FAST FACT: When using SPF 15 sunscreen, a person who normally would
burn in 20 minutes may tolerate the sun 15 times longer (five hours).
Valerie Lyon, MD, is a pediatric dermatologist in the Dermatology Program at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and an assistant professor of Dermatology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She has special expertise in pediatric dermatologic surgery. In her practice, she emphasizes patient education and likes to work with families to adopt healthy skin care routines that are tailored to the individual child.