Sun Safety: How to Keep Your Baby Safe in the Sun?

It's officially that time of year when being outside in the sunshine feels just right. This summer will be a great deal of enjoyment in the sun but remember to shield your child and yourself from the sun's harmful rays. The sun can harm exposed skin within 15 minutes. But don't worry, we're here to help. Many parents are concerned about protecting their young ones from the sun. Learn about kid-friendly sun protection tips by reading this article. 

What Causes Sunburns?

In the skin, a substance known as melanin (MEL-eh-nun) reacts to UV radiation. A child's typical skin tone determines how much melanin the skin can absorb to defend itself from UV radiation. Melanin is higher in children with darker skin. However, all children require protection from UV radiation since tanning and burning cause harm to the skin, regardless of skin tone.

A sunburn results when UV radiation exceeds the protective capacity of melanin in the skin. The risk of injury increases with the length of time spent in the sunshine and with the intensity of the sunshine. Tans do not aid in skin protection; rather, they are an indicator of skin deterioration.

How to Relieve Sunburn?

Here are five methods for easing minor sunburn discomfort:

1. To restore lost fluids, give your kid some milk or water.
2. To soothe your child's skin, use cold water.
3. If your child has a sunburn that hurts, give them pain medication. In infants under six months of age, paracetamol should be provided. If the kid is older than six months, provide ibuprofen or paracetamol.)
4. Use medicinal lotions only as directed by your child's physician.
5. Refrain your young one from going outside until their sunburn has completely healed.

All life on Earth receives energy from the sun, yet it may also be harmful. Its ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause skin cancer as well as harm to the eyes and skin. We receive 25% of our lifetime solar exposure during our formative years and adolescence.

Children should be shielded from the sun since they spend quite a bit of time outside, particularly during the summer. If you are experiencing any concerns regarding your child's sun protection, speak with your pediatrician. Call your baby's doctor as soon as possible if they become sunburned if they are younger than a year old. If your older kid has blisters, discomfort, or a fever, get in touch with their doctor.

Top 5 Tips to Protect Your Kids from Sun

Children may enjoy many outdoor activities during the summer months. However, to shield their sensitive skin from the sun's damaging rays, it is imperative to give sun safety first priority. Let’s discuss some helpful advice for protecting your kids' skin from the sun's rays.

Use Sunscreen Frequently

Using sunscreen is one of the most important aspects of sun safety, so select sunscreen with a wide spectrum of at least 30 SPF (Sun Protection Factor). At least half an hour before your child goes outside, liberally apply it to any skin exposed. Once every two hours, preferably more often if your child is perspiring or swimming, reapply.

Seek Shade

When your kids are outside, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., teach them to look for shade whenever they can. Use canopies, umbrellas, or the natural shade that trees offer to create a comfortable, safe space for outdoor activities.

Wear Proper Clothes

Dressing your child in sun-protective apparel can provide additional protection from damaging UV radiation. Choose clothes that are wrapped around the legs and arms, are loose-fitting, and are lightweight. Choose hats with large brims to shield their ears, neck, and face. Remember to use sunglasses with UV protection to safeguard your eyes.

Always Stay Hydrated

It's important to stay hydrated, especially on hot summer days. Encourage your youngster to drink lots of water to avoid dehydration. To guarantee that kids have access to drinking water throughout the day, bring a reusable bottle of water with you anytime you go outside to play.

Be Aware of Reflection

Keep in mind that materials such as water, sand, and cement can reflect sunlight, increasing the amount of UV radiation that is exposed to the skin. When your child is near these surfaces, take additional care since the reflection might exacerbate the sun's damage to their skin. Increase the frequency of sunscreen use and take further precautions.

How to Select the Best Sunscreen for the Sensitive Skin of Your Baby?

It's important to take your baby's sunscreen selection very carefully. To be sure the product is specially developed for their requirements, look for products that expressly declare "baby" or "infant" on the label. Select a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above that offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB radiation.

For newborns with sensitive skin, it's advisable to avoid sunscreens that contain extra perfumes, parabens, or phthalates. To lower the possibility of skin irritation, search for non-allergenic and dermatologist-tested alternatives instead.  

Using sunscreen correctly and frequently enough to seek protection from the sun is essential once you've selected the best option for your child. Make sure there are no cracks in the coverage by liberally applying sunscreen to all exposed skin regions. Focus especially on the hands, feet, ears, and face.

Reapplying sunscreen to newborns is advised every two hours or more often if they are sweating or in the water. Although they can provide some extra protection, sunscreens that are water-resistant must always be reapplied after being in the water.

The Bottom Line!

For children's long-term health and well-being, it is imperative that the sun's damaging rays be shielded from their skin. You can make sure that your kid enjoys this time of year while lowering their risk of sunburns and lasting harm to their skin by adhering to these sun protection tips. Keep in mind that maintaining your protection from the sun is a year-round responsibility, so don't let the summer pass. 

Our staff at Healthy Kids Care at Sunrise are here to answer any questions or concerns.

In Health,

Dr. Atousa