Sun safety MM
Research has shown that just two cases of severe sunburn in childhood can double the risk of skin cancer later in life, so it’s vital that you protect your child’s skin at all times.
Safety in the sun
The sun is an important part of our lives. Not only can it improve our mood and increase our desire to do physical activity, it can also benefit our health by providing our bodies the essential Vitamin D. Unfortunately, exposure to the sun can
also create risk factors that can lead to skin or eye damage, and even skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common of all cancer types and its incidence in Ireland continues to increase each year. The good news is, however, that, by being aware of the possible dangers of too much sun, you can protect your child’s skin. There are two types of sun rays: UVA
rays cause early ageing of skin and allergies. UVB rays cause sunburn. The harmful effects of both types of rays can be counteracted by the use of sun lotions containing sun protection factor (SPF). The sun protection factor of a sunscreen
tells you how much of the sun’s harmful UVB rays are filtered out. If you use • Factor 15 - only seven per cent of the harmful rays will get through
• Factor 30 - only four per cent of the harmful rays will get through
• Factor 60 - only two per cent of the harmful rays will get through
In other words, the higher the number of the SPF, the greater the protection from the sun. Don’t think, however, that applying a sun screen will automatically protect your skin from damage, sunscreens are just one way of protecting yourself against the sun. The fact that children’s skin is so delicate
means that they can burn very easily, particularly if they have very fair skin. Always use a sun lotion with very high protection, such as SPF 25, 30 or 50 on a child’s skin. It is advisable to keep babies out of the sun at all times. Remember to apply sun lotion generously and evenly around 20-30 minutes before going outside. Pay particular attention to delicate areas such as the ears, the back of the neck and the shoulders. Re-apply sun lotion frequently and after your child has
been in the swimming or paddling pool. Apart from putting sun lotion on your child, there are other ways to protect his/her precious little skin:
• simply cover children up! Get them to wear a sun hat, sunglasses, t-shirt etc
• encourage them to play in the shade or in an outdoor tent
• avoid outdoors when the sun’s rays are strongest; this is usually between eleven in the morning and three in the afternoon.
Babies under six months old should never be exposed to the sun and their skin and feet should be covered to give maximum protection. To protect their head and face, choose a wide-brimmed hat or bonnet, and use a stroller with a canopy or hood. So there you are. All you need to know
about safety in the sun. Just remember! Maximum sun protection means minimum sun damage.
Modernmum 63
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