Published: July 30, 2008 12:09 am            

Fun in the sun

But you have to play it safe outdoors

FAIRMONT — When you think of sun safety for your child, the first thing you probably think of is sunscreen.

In fact, Sun Safety for Kids has a motto: “Put on a lot. And don’t miss a spot!”

Erin Hager agrees. Her daughter Sarah, who will be 4 in August, loves playing outside in the warm summer sun.

And when that sun heats up, Mom whips out the sunscreen.

“That’s the biggest thing. Any time I think Sarah will be out in the sun for more than a few minutes, she gets a good coating. And she wears a hat whenever she can to protect her head.

“Any time she can be in the shade, we take advantage of that.”

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.

Because Sarah is in school, she’s inside during the hottest times of the day. So weekends are her big time for fun in the sun.

Hager will cover her daughter with sunscreen of SPF 45 or greater “on her cheeks, forehead, chin, hands, even her toes,” she said.

“She tans easily, so it’s not hard to see where she needs sunscreen.”

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life.

A person’s risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns at any age.

“It’s been so hot these past couple of weeks, she wants to come in. But most of the time she wants to be out there.”

Hager doesn’t wait for Sarah to ask for water.

“I keep offering it to her often, definitely every half hour. If it’s hot or if she’s active, more than that. I make her take a little sip, even if it’s just a little bit.”

Olivia O’Connor, 5, is well protected against harmful sun rays, said mom Jennifer Wyne.

“Sunscreen, of course, if she’s going to be out in the sun for a while. And a hat. Those are the main things. She’s not fair complected, so she doesn’t burn like a lot of kids do.”

She’ll reapply sunscreen (any SPF of 50 or higher) frequently, she added. Olivia also has some added protection.

“She usually wears T-shirts so her shoulders don’t get burned. We have a lot of shaded areas at the house, but if she’s directly out in the sun, she puts a T-shirt on.”

Sunglasses and hat round out her summer play attire.

“And we always have a water bottle with us, as well.”

These good moms do what the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends to protect your children from the sun’s harmful rays.

• Sunscreen is the first line of defense.

First you have to learn your ABCs of sunscreen: UVA, UVB and SPF.

UVB rays are strongest in the summer months when the Earth rotates closest to the sun. (That’s why it’s so hard to get a tan in the winter.) They’re just strong enough to penetrate the epidermis, which is only as thick as a silk scarf. When they stimulate melanocyte cells to produce more melanin, the result is a tan.

UVA rays are the same strength year round. They go deep into the second layer of skin, causing wrinkles and discoloration. They also can inhibit the immune system from doing its job to prevent cancer.

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen; this screens out both UVA and UVB rays. In the “star” rating, four stars is the highest UVA protection available over the counter.

Next, there’s SPF. That stands for Skin Protection Factor and indicates how well a product screens UVB rays. The number rating tells you how much longer you can stay in the sun without getting sunburned.

Most sunscreens are not safe to use on babies under the age of 6 months.

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors. And remember to use sunscreen even on cloudy days and when you will be near water, sand, snow and concrete.

Reapply sunscreen every two hours.

Don’t forget to protect the nose, tops of ears, and feet, back of your neck, part in your hair, face and lips, and back of legs.

And always wear sunglasses that block UV rays.

Apply enough, apply it evenly, keep applying it (about every two hours) and don’t miss any spots.

Go for an SPF 15 or greater.

Do a “patch” test by putting a small amount of sunscreen on the inside of your child’s wrist the day before you plan to use it to test for irritation or allergies.

If an irritation or rash develops at any time, try another product. Ask your child’s doctor to suggest one that will not irritate.

A cream or lotion may be less drying to young skin than a gel- or alcohol-based product.

Remember: Scented products are more apt to attract insects. Besides, your baby is sweet enough.

Sunscreen should not be used on babies under 6 months old, who should be exposed to the sun as little as possible.

Coat your child’s skin liberally and evenly. Rub in well. If your baby or toddler is squirmy, apply the sunscreen to your hands first.

Apply the sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and reapply every 2 hours. If your child is playing in the water or sweating a lot, reapply more often.

Don’t forget the hands, ears, nose, lips and the area around the eyes. Zinc oxide on the nose and ears can provide extra protection. An SPF 15 lip balm should be applied to the lips, and toddlers may enjoy applying it themselves. UV-blocking sunglasses will protect the vulnerable eye area.

Never put baby oil on your child before going outdoors. It makes the skin translucent, letting solar rays pass through more easily.

To earn the Seal of Recommendation, a manufacturer must prove that its product sufficiently and safely “aids in the prevention of sun-induced damage to the skin.”

• This is your second line of defense

Make sure that your baby’s stroller or carriage provides adequate shade, with a hood or other shade-providing structure.

Your baby should have fresh air and light but ideally, not at the peak times of the day. Schedule your baby’s stroll around the neighborhood in the early morning or late afternoon, when the sun’s rays are less powerful.

Your baby should wear a sun hat or bonnet with a wide brim whenever he or she is outside.

Make sure your baby’s arms and legs are covered by tightly woven (but loose-fitting) clothing.

Consider buying clothing with UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) ratings. UPF clothing is specifically designed to block the sun’s harmful UV radiation from damaging the skin (widely known as UVA/UVB/UVC rays). Exposure to such UV radiation can not only cause sunburn, but also long lasting damage resulting in premature skin aging and/or skin cancer. To help the consumer better determine the protection a garment has, a UPF rating system has been developed.

Older children should wear hats or caps with brims that face forward to shield the face. They should wear sunglasses with at least 99 percent UV protection and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

E-mail Debra Minor Wilson at dwilson@timeswv.com.

        

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