How Can I Protect My Children from the Sun | ExpatWoman.com
 

How Can I Protect My Children from the Sun

Here are few advice to prevent sunburns.

Posted on

14 January 2014

Last updated on 30 August 2021
How Can I Protect My Children from the Sun
Sunburn can cause pain, fever and dehydration and just one sunburn during childhood raises the risk of melanoma (the most important type of skin cancer). 
 
Here are few advice to prevent sunburns. 
  • Keep children out of direct sunlight during the peak burning hours of 10 am to 4:00 pm. If it is not possible to practice indoor activities, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella or a pop-up tent. 
  • Apply sunscreen - sunscreen ought to provide a broad spectrum of protection and should contain chemicals such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that protect against both UVA and UVB rays. The higher the Sun Protection Factor (SPF), the better. Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before heading outdoors and reapply it every two hours. Don't forget to protect ears, noses, lips and the top of feet. 
  • Keep a child's skin covered with clothing is best. You can find clothing such as swimsuits and t-shirts made with sun protection built into it. 
  • Get a hat; hats that shade the face, scalp, ears and neckcare are easy to use and give great protection. 
  • Wear sunglasses. Children should wear polarized sunglasses when outdoors.

Too much sun hurts

  • Turning pink unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun's UV rays even as little as 15 minutes. If your child's skin looks a little pink today, it may be burned tomorrow morning. To prevent further burning, get your child out of the sun. 
  • Tan. There's no other way to say it, tanned skin means damaged skin. Any change in the color of your child's skin after time outside indicates damage from the UV rays. 
  • Cool and cloudy. Children still need protection. UV rays, not the temperature, do the damage. Clouds do not block the UV rays.
  • Oops! Kids often get sunburned when they are outdoors for longer than expected. Remember to plan ahead and keep sun protection hand, in your car, bag or your child's backpack. 
  • Keep in mind that the sun's rays bounce of surfaces like water, snow, cement, and sand. 
 
Information from: 
Dr. Altman, chief of Academic General Pediatrics Medicine at Children and Women's Physicians of Westchester.
Baby Center Medical Advisory Board
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
 
 
 

 

 

 
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At Odyssey Nursery, children learn and progress at their own pace under the respected Washington State Early Learning Benchmarks curriculum and the Reggio Emilia approach. Children are given the opportunity for self-development and self-discovery through this educational approach, and trilingual education. They have six branches Odyssey Nursery branches in UAE. In Dubai, you can find them at Umm Suqeim, Burj and Living Legends; and in Abu Dhabi in Khalifa City A and their newest branch in Al Mushrif.

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