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SAFE FUN IN THE SUN
Sun protection is essential for your little one’s safety when on holiday and also during hot summer days

It’s so important to remember just how sensitive and susceptible to burning the skin of a baby or young child is. So whatever you’re planning, be it holiday abroad or good times in the garden, never forget to provide your child with proper protection from those harmful rays.

Q. Just how harmful is sun exposure? A. It is generally believed that children are at least 3 times more sensitive to the sun’s rays than adults. Although it is rare for babies and toddlers to get skin cancer, sunburn during early years can be related to development of skin cancers later. So the greater the level of protection taken at an earlier age, the lower the likelihood of skin cancer in later life. Q. Is protection only needed in direct sunlight? A. No – you can still get sunburn under light cloud. Special attention should be paid near sand and water, since these surfaces reflect up to 85% of the sun’s damaging rays.

Q. At what age should protection first be used?
A. Most importantly, keep babies under the age of 6 months out of the sun completely as they burn easily and are not able to handle getting overheated. There are many safe sun creams available for children over 6 months old; pick one that offers UVA and UVB protection and has a SPF of 25 or higher (especially if your child has light skin).

 

General rules for sun cream application
Did you know that most exposure to harmful rays happens during childhood? In fact, 80% of a person’s lifetime sun exposure occurs before they’re 21. Fortunately, regular sun protection during childhood will drastically reduce the risks:

• Always apply a child-suitable high factor cream (25 or more)
• Apply a generous layer of sun cream at least 30-45 minutes before your child is exposed to the sun
• Cover all exposed areas, especially the face, nose, ears, feet and hands (don’t forget backs of knees and behind ears)
• Reapply the sun cream every 2 hours ( or more frequently if the child is swimming or perspiring heavily)
• Use sun cream outside even if cloudy in hot weather
• Avoid being in the sun at its hottest, usually between 10am and 4pm (UV levels are highest around noon)

A quick tip: teach your child to apply their own sun cream as part of their daily routine (just check they do it correctly).

 

Other essential sun protection
 

• Pushchair parasols : great onboard protection
• Protective clothing and sun hats : keep your child well covered even in the shade with t-shirt or loose cotton clothing. All-in-one sun suits are also a good idea, offering protection for shoulders and legs. Sun hats and peaked caps should also cover the back of the neck.

A quick tip : try to get your baby used to wearing a hat as soon as they can sit up; toddlers need encouragement to keep theirs on, but it’s essential that they learn to do so.

 

• Children’s sunglasses : provide invaluable protection against over-exposure to reflected UV. They should not be toy sunglasses, but should offer the same UV-protection level as with adults. Shatter-proof polycarbonate lenses are generally recommended. Look for the British Standard BS2724: 1987 on the label.

TREATING SUN BURN:   If your child does accidentally get sun burnt: Bathe with cool (not cold) water, and apply cool compresses Calamine lotion may also help (not generally available abroad) Oil preparations like Vaseline are NOT recommended as they can keep in heat and sweat and make the child feel worse Discourage your child from scratching to avoid any infection   EXPOSING THE JARGON:   We shed light on what that terminology actually means: UVA: Stands for ultraviolet A – largely unaffected by the ozone layer and penetrates skin deeper than UVB; can inflict the most damage and can cause skin cancer UVB: Stands for ultraviolet B – gets partially absorbed by the ozone layer and in atmosphere but some reaches the earth; generally felt to be more responsible for premature aging SPF: Stands for sun protection factor – a laboratory measure grading the ability of a sun screen to filter out rays; the higher the number, the greater the protection

Extra little health issues to keep in mind on holidays:

• Food rules and water precautions
  When visiting exotic locations, never take risks with food or water. Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to food poisoning, and what may not affect your stomach may be dangerous for a child’s digestive system; the hardened rule for food is peel it, boil it, cook it, or forget it! As for water, give your child boiled (and cooled), specially treated, or bottled water (ensure the seal is unbroken and that the sodium content (Na) is less than 20mmols per litre). Unweaned babies should drink only breast or formula milk, prepared with boiled water.

• They’re repellent!
  Insects like mosquitoes and gnats love to bite small children and make them miserable. Fortunately there are safe and effective insect repellents you can use to protect your child. Do always remember to check that products are approved for children, and follow the manufacturers’ instruction. Other useful precautions include making sure clothing exposes as little of your child’s skin as possible, and use light coloured clothes that do not attract insects. Fragrances can also attract unwanted attention, so use unscented soaps and detergents.

• Heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration
  Heat stroke or exhaustion is rare in children as they lose heat effectively. It occurs almost exclusively to unacclimatised infants pushing themselves to the limits. Sweat removes both salt and water from the body, which may lead the child to collapse due to dehydration and overheating. So always keep a close eye on little ones, ensuring they don’t get too excited and encouraging them to keep drinking suitable liquids.
  
  A dehydrated child tends to have a dry tongue; check this by putting a freshly washed finger into the child’s mouth. In babies, a sunken fontanelle (soft spot) is also a sign of dehydration. In extreme cases, heat exhaustion/dehydration can prove fatal, so if your child does show any signs (such as profuse sweating, drowsiness, listlessness, is unresponsive, or unable to drink), seek medical attention immediately.