Fun in the Sun

Posted: June 1, 2005

Before the children head outdoors, here are tips to keep them safe from sunburn, heat stress and insect stings.

Sun exposure
For babies under 6 months:

• Avoiding sun exposure and dressing infants in lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats are still the top recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics to prevent sunburn.
• However when adequate clothing and shade are not available, parents can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands.

For young children:

• Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The SPF should be at least 15.

For older children:

• The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave.
• Stay in the shade whenever possible, and avoid sun exposure during the peak intensity hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or greater.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.

Heat stress in exercising children

• The intensity of activities that last 15 minutes or more should be reduced whenever high heat and humidity reach critical levels.
• At the beginning of a strenuous exercise program or after traveling to a warmer climate, the intensity and duration of exercise should be limited initially and then gradually increased.
• Before prolonged physical activity, the child should be well-hydrated. During the activity, periodic drinking should be enforced, for example, each 20 minutes, 5 oz. of cold tap water or a flavored sports drink for a child weighing 88 lbs., and 9 oz. for an adolescent weighing 132 lbs., even if the child does not feel thirsty.
• Clothing should be light-colored and lightweight and limited to one layer of absorbent material to facilitate evaporation of sweat. Sweat-saturated garments should be replaced by dry garments.

Bug safety

• Don't use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.
• Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.
• To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently scrape it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail.
• Insect repellents containing DEET are the most effective.
• The concentration of DEET in products may range from less than 10 percent to over 30 percent. The benefits of DEET reach a peak at a concentration of 30 percent, the maximum concentration currently recommended for children. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age.
• The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics

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