How to Protect Kids from the Sun

Too many parents wrongly assume that the sun is only dangerous when it’s shining brightly. The fact is, the sun’s rays are dangerous no matter what time of the year, and too much exposure during childhood can lead to serious problems later in life.

Parents should pay special care to protect their kids when playing outdoors. Here are a few simple tips to prevent overexposure to the sun:

• Protect infants
  Keep babies younger than six months out of direct sunlight, protected by the shade of a tree or an umbrella.
• Seek shade
  When possible, find a shaded area or take a break indoors to avoid sun exposure for extended periods of time.
• Limit outdoor play
  UV rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so it’s best to avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun during midday.
• Cover up
  Protective clothing that cover the arms and legs and wide brim hats can keep kids protected from sun damage.
• Always apply sunscreen
  Choose a sunscreen made for kids with a SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15.  Apply to all areas of the body, and reapply every few hours.
• Sunglass are not longer just fancy but a necessity.
• Sunglasses help protect the eye’s delicate lining from damage due to sunlight and wind.  Encourage your child by your own example.

Sunburn is an obvious sign of sun damage, but a child doesn’t have to get a burn to experience the negative consequences of too much exposure to the sun. The effects of chronic sun exposure can also contribute to wrinkles, freckles, toughening of the skin and even cancer later in adulthood.  In fact, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, just one blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles a person’s chances of developing skin cancer later in life.

As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” By setting good examples and teaching kids the importance of sun safety now, parents can significantly lower their child’s risk of developing skin cancer and other signs of sun damage as an adult.

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Founder of Healthy Chats, Dr. Chrystal de Freitas is a pediatrician, author and mother of three children who has a special interest in health education. She completed her pediatric training at the University of Washington, in Seattle, WA, and has been in private practice for 22 years. She practiced with North County Health Services in Encinitas, for 6 years. In 2004, Dr. de Freitas opened her solo private practice of pediatrics, Carmel Valley Pediatrics in San Diego, CA.