damaging rays. Your skin remembers each sunburn and each suntan
year after year.All skin cancers are harmful and some, especially malignant melanoma, can
be deadly if left untreated. Malignant melanoma is the second most common form of cancer
in women 25 to 34 years of age. Sun exposure in early childhood and adolescence
contributes to skin cancer.
The sun and your baby's skin:
Your baby's skin is very delicate and it's up to you to protect it. Sunburns hurt.
Sunburns can also cause dehydration and fever. Too many sunburns and too much sun exposure
over the years can cause not only skin cancer, but also wrinkles and possibly cataracts of
the eye. Most of the sun exposure (between 60% to 80%) happens before we turn 18 years of
age. That's because children spend more time outdoors than most adults, especially in the
summer.
The dangers of sunburns:
Research has shown that two or more blistering sunburns as a child or teen increase the
risk of developing skin cancer later in life. It is very important, therefore, to protect
babies and children from sunburn.
A baby's sensitive skin is thinner than adult skin and a baby will sunburn more easily
than an adult. Even babies with naturally darker skin need protection.
It's up to us to protect our baby. A baby can't tell when he or she is too hot or
beginning to sunburn. A baby can't move out of the sun and into the shade without help.
Protecting your baby:
These simple rules can be followed to protect the baby from sunburns now and from skin
cancer later in life:
Babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of the direct sunlight. The baby should be
moved to the shade or under a tree, umbrella, or the stroller canopy. Dress your baby in
clothing that covers the body, such as comfortable lightweight long pants, long-sleeved
shirts, and hats with brims that shade the face and cover the ears. Select clothes made of
tightly woven fabrics. Clothes that have a tighter weave (the way a fabric is constructed)
generally protect better than clothes with a broader weave. If one is not sure about how
tight a fabric's weave is, then the clothing can be held up to a lamp or window to see how
much light shines through. The less light, the better. Clothing made of cotton is both
cool and protective. ?When using a cap with a bill, make sure the bill is facing forward
to shield the baby's face. Child-sized sunglasses with UV protection are also a good idea
for protecting the child's eyes.
Remember...
1.The sun's rays are the strongest between 10 am and 4 pm.
2.Try to keep your baby out of the sun during these hours.
3.The sun's damaging UV rays can bounce back from sand, snow, or
concrete; so be particularly
careful in these areas.
4.Most of the sun's rays can come through the clouds on an overcast day;
so use sun protection
even on cloudy days.
Sun myths:
MYTH:A suntan is good for your baby.
FACT: A tan is a sign of skin damage.
MYTH:Babies can't get sunburned on a cloudy day.
FACT: Most of the sun's rays can come through clouds and cause sunburns.
MYTH:Baby oil is good sun lotion.
FACT: Baby oil causes the skin to burn faster and offers no protection at
all.
MYTH:Baby needs the vitamins that the sun provides.
FACT: A proper well-balanced diet and minimum sunlight will give your
baby all the necessary
vitamins.
Sunscreen for your baby:
For babies under 6 months of age, sunscreen may be used on small areas of the body such as
the face and the back of the hands if adequate clothing and shade are not available. For
older children, test the sunscreen on the baby's back for a reaction before applying it
all over. Apply carefully around the eyes, avoiding the eyelids. If your baby rubs
sunscreen into her eyes, wipe the eyes and hands clean with a damp cloth. If the sunscreen
burns her eyes, try a different brand or try a sunscreen stick or sunblock with titanium
dioxide or zinc oxide. If a rash develops, talk to your pediatrician.
When choosing a sunscreen, look for the words "broad-spectrum" on the label.(It
means that the sunscreen will screen out both ultraviolet B (UVB) and ultraviolet A (UVA)
rays). The sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least 15. Use enough sunscreen and rub
it in well, making sure to cover all exposed areas, especially your baby's face, nose,
ears, feet and hands, and even the backs of the knees. Put it on 30 minutes before going
outdoors. The sunscreen needs time to work on the skin. Choose a water-resistant or
waterproof sunscreen. Sunscreens that are "waterproof" should be reapplied every
2 hours, especially if your baby is playing in the water. Zinc oxide, a very effective
sunblock, can be used as extra protection on the nose, cheeks, tops of the ears, and on
the shoulders. Remember...?Sunscreens should be used for sun protection and not as a
reason to stay in the sun longer.
Sunburn can be dangerous
If your baby gets a sunburn and is under 1 year of age, contact your pediatrician at once
- a severe sunburn is an emergency. For babies over the age of 1, tell your pediatrician
if there is blistering, pain, or fever. Remember...
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