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| Protecting children from the sun |
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Reviewed by Dr Stuart Crisp, paediatric specialist registrar and James Ferguson, consultant dermatologist
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Why is it important to protect children from the sun?
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Too much sun is particularly harmful to very young children,
who should be kept out of direct sunlight.
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Protecting children from the sun not only prevents painful
sunburn, it also significantly reduces the risk of developing
skin cancer later in
life.
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50 per cent of total lifetime sunlight exposure occurs in
childhood.
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Breezes or water can cool the skin of children playing in the
sun so that excessive exposure to sunlight is not noticed.
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Some children are sensitive to sunlight and might develop a
rash.
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| Protecting children from the sun reduces the risk of skin
cancer developing later. |
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How to protect children in the sun
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Remember that infants must be kept out of the sun entirely,
while children with light skin will burn easily.
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If the child is not exposed to direct sunlight, sunscreen is
not usually necessary.
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Children should be encouraged to play in the shade wearing good
protective clothing.
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Sunscreen use does not allow an increase in the time spent in
sunlight.
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Make sure you use enough sunscreen; half a handful
(approximately 20ml) is usually enough for the child's entire
body.
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Remember that some sunscreens come off through contact with
water, sweating or rubbing with a towel.
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Re-apply sunscreen several times during a day in the
sun.
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Keep children out of the sun between 10am and 2pm, when the
sun's rays are at their strongest.
Five things to remember
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Small children should always be kept in the shade.
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Avoid the sun between 10am and 2pm.
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Stay in the shade as much as possible.
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Good protection is provided by light clothes and a
hat.
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Children should be given sunscreen with a high SPF.
What you should know about sunscreen
There are several different ways to specify a lotion's sun
protection factor (SPF), so remember to check which system is being used when
you buy a sunscreen. For example, American SPF numbers are usually twice as
high as the SPF numbers on European products. This means that an American SPF 8
sun cream is in fact equivalent to European SPF 4. Ask the pharmacist if you
are in doubt.
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Re-apply suncreen several times during the day.
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Remember that even when it is cloudy, 30 to 50 percent of the
ultraviolet rays can still reach us, depending on how overcast the weather is.
What to do if a child gets sunburn
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Always consult a doctor if a small child or baby has been
sunburnt.
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Consult a doctor if blisters or a rash appear.
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Consult a doctor if the skin is very red and painful. Consider
calamine lotion to
cool sunburn.
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Cool the sunburnt area in tepid water (approximately 25ºC) for
30 minutes to an hour.
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Be careful the child does not get cold.
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A pharmacist will be able to provide advice about aftersun
products, some of which may be useful for cooling and remoisturising the
skin.
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Based on a text by Dr Eric Olsen
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Last updated 16.02.2005
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