Child Skincare It’s especially important for children and
teens to apply and reapply sunscreen at regu- lar intervals. Studies have shown a decrease in the regular use of sunscreen in kids ages 9 to 15. Reapplying sunscreen is crucial in prevent- ing sunburn if kids are participating in water sports and activities.
Send Pests Packing Most insect bites are harmless, even though they are often itchy and uncomfortable. Pro- tecting the skin from these crawling and fl ying creatures is important. During the summer kids typically spend more time outdoors, often barefoot and barelegged, creating a perfect opportunity for pesky insects to feast. The safest insect repellent is appropri-
ate clothing. Light-colored clothing is less attractive to biting insects than dark clothes. Wide-brimmed hats may be particularly helpful in heavily treed or brushy areas. Tuck pants cuffs into socks when walking in tall, grassy areas. If sleeping outdoors, keep bugs at bay with protective netting. Some areas of the U.S. and abroad are
known for their many insects (such as mosqui- toes, sand fl ies and ticks), some of which carry disease (e.g., Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, yellow fever, malaria). If you and your family live in or are traveling to such an area, you may need insect repellent as well as protective clothing. To avoid skin irritation, you can apply the
repellent to clothing, but in some cases you will have to apply it directly to the skin. The best repellents contain DEET, permethrin or picaridin. DEET, used most widely, is available in many products. For kids and pregnant
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Though most insect bites are harmless, pro- tecting the skin from insects is important
women, select one with a concentration of less than 30 percent DEET. DEET-containing prod- ucts provide about seven hours of protection. Picaridin, less odorous than DEET, does not damage plastics, as DEET does. It’s effective on the skin for about four hours after application, and, when reapplied appropriately, works just as effectively as DEET. Bath oils and skin sticks are a popular alternative to insect repellents, but provide about an hour of protection only. Use insect repellent sparingly, avoiding the
eye area. Keep it off your child’s hands to avoid repellent getting into her eyes or mouth. Unless the risk of disease is high, don’t use the higher concentrated products in kids. Never use insect repellent on infants younger than two months. Use mosquito netting around strollers and car seats, and avoid dusk and dawn hours in order to decrease exposure to mosquitoes. Also, don’t apply repellent more than once in 24 hours to children between two months and two years of age. Since sunscreen must be applied every two hours, avoid using a combination sunscreen/ insect repellent.
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