Let's start with a health warning - sunscreens should not be used on babies younger than six months old and being covered by baby clothes is not enough, so keep them in the shade.
The perils of over-exposure to sunlight are now widely publicized and it is generally understood that babies and children must be just as protected as adults. Changing fashions have a lot to answer for in creating modern day problems: Victorian societies thought that a pale colored skin was most desirable, but then a tanned skin emerged as the color that indicated a healthy and sought-after lifestyle.
But living permanently in a climate where sunshine is the norm soon reveals the real strength of the sun and just how rapidly burnt skin can happen. Anyone who regularly needs to be out in the midday or afternoon sun soon adopts the habit of wearing a sun hat, sun glasses, protective sunscreen or whatever else it takes to avoid skin burns.
Particularly at risk are young children and babies. Their skin is far more sensitive than adults and it burns more quickly. So to repeat the warning at the top of these notes, please keep your young babies in the shade and not exposed to direct sunlight. Be aware that sunshine can reflect off other surfaces and use baby clothes and a parasol or canopy to make sure there is no risk of sunburn.
A lot of people think that if they cover up with a T-shirt or blouse that that will be adequate protection from the sun however the amount of protection they afford very much depends on the color and the fabric. The best everyday clothing to protect your child and yourself from the sun's harmful rays is made of closely woven material in dark colors not the white T shirt that you slip on at the beach.
You should also bear in mind that the head needs it's own protection. A hat with wide brims can keep sunlight away from the neck, the face and the ears. Damage to eyes can be avoided by making sure your child uses sunglasses.
Technology has been used in an attempt to stop or at least minimize the effect of sunburn. Some suppliers now offer clothing for children that has sun protection built in. Right now, though, choices are limited and prices are relatively expensive. In addition, a product called Sun Guard can be added to your washer loads of laundry and it claims to offer protection of up to UPF30, staying effective through twenty washes.
Those parts of the skin that cannot be covered by hats or clothing need a strong enough sunscreen for protection. For babies who are more than six months old and for children, follow the advice of skin specialists and use at last a SPF15 factor screen. With the rapid development of different products in recent years, sun blocks are available that can be used on even the most sensitive of skins.
One key factor for both children and adults is to make liberal use of sunscreen. Put it on half an hour before you're going out into the sun and re-apply it every couple of hours. Reduce the interval if you're swimming. Cover all exposed parts including the back of the neck and the feet, even underneath the straps of your swimsuit. Remember, though, that none of this applies to babies who are six months old or less - they should be always in the shade.
The sight of an adult or child or baby suffering with red skin after sun exposure, or even blisters, is a painful one to behold - but not as painful as it is for the one experiencing it. Usually the cause is too much time or too little sunscreen and too little appreciation of the risk of skin cancer. Until the skin has had chance to recover, sufferers should stay in the shade and away from more exposure to the sun.
One final point: sun exposure is undoubtedly beneficial to everyone, children and adults alike. It causes our bodies to generate vitamin D which in turn strengthens teeth and bones. But we only need a few minutes of exposure to give us all we need! - 22783
The perils of over-exposure to sunlight are now widely publicized and it is generally understood that babies and children must be just as protected as adults. Changing fashions have a lot to answer for in creating modern day problems: Victorian societies thought that a pale colored skin was most desirable, but then a tanned skin emerged as the color that indicated a healthy and sought-after lifestyle.
But living permanently in a climate where sunshine is the norm soon reveals the real strength of the sun and just how rapidly burnt skin can happen. Anyone who regularly needs to be out in the midday or afternoon sun soon adopts the habit of wearing a sun hat, sun glasses, protective sunscreen or whatever else it takes to avoid skin burns.
Particularly at risk are young children and babies. Their skin is far more sensitive than adults and it burns more quickly. So to repeat the warning at the top of these notes, please keep your young babies in the shade and not exposed to direct sunlight. Be aware that sunshine can reflect off other surfaces and use baby clothes and a parasol or canopy to make sure there is no risk of sunburn.
A lot of people think that if they cover up with a T-shirt or blouse that that will be adequate protection from the sun however the amount of protection they afford very much depends on the color and the fabric. The best everyday clothing to protect your child and yourself from the sun's harmful rays is made of closely woven material in dark colors not the white T shirt that you slip on at the beach.
You should also bear in mind that the head needs it's own protection. A hat with wide brims can keep sunlight away from the neck, the face and the ears. Damage to eyes can be avoided by making sure your child uses sunglasses.
Technology has been used in an attempt to stop or at least minimize the effect of sunburn. Some suppliers now offer clothing for children that has sun protection built in. Right now, though, choices are limited and prices are relatively expensive. In addition, a product called Sun Guard can be added to your washer loads of laundry and it claims to offer protection of up to UPF30, staying effective through twenty washes.
Those parts of the skin that cannot be covered by hats or clothing need a strong enough sunscreen for protection. For babies who are more than six months old and for children, follow the advice of skin specialists and use at last a SPF15 factor screen. With the rapid development of different products in recent years, sun blocks are available that can be used on even the most sensitive of skins.
One key factor for both children and adults is to make liberal use of sunscreen. Put it on half an hour before you're going out into the sun and re-apply it every couple of hours. Reduce the interval if you're swimming. Cover all exposed parts including the back of the neck and the feet, even underneath the straps of your swimsuit. Remember, though, that none of this applies to babies who are six months old or less - they should be always in the shade.
The sight of an adult or child or baby suffering with red skin after sun exposure, or even blisters, is a painful one to behold - but not as painful as it is for the one experiencing it. Usually the cause is too much time or too little sunscreen and too little appreciation of the risk of skin cancer. Until the skin has had chance to recover, sufferers should stay in the shade and away from more exposure to the sun.
One final point: sun exposure is undoubtedly beneficial to everyone, children and adults alike. It causes our bodies to generate vitamin D which in turn strengthens teeth and bones. But we only need a few minutes of exposure to give us all we need! - 22783
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