Protecting Your Kids’ Sensitive Skin at the Beach
Adults that suffer from sensitive skin are not alone. Children can suffer from it at a young age too. Children may even find sensitive skin more irritating and more painful than adults since they are too young to know what’s happening with their skin. With help from the dermatologists at Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute, you can find a solution to ease the irritation, pain, and other symptoms your child may be experiencing.
How to Protect Your Kid’s Skin
Sun Safety for Children
Knowing how to protect your child’s skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can shield them from experiencing damaged skin that may cause irritation and pain. Like adults, children can easily get a sunburn. There are two simple ways to protect their skin: limit the amount of time spent in direct sunlight as well as outside on warm days, and always use sunscreen.
Why Protect From the Sun
The sun emits UVA and UVB rays, both of which can cause skin damage. UVA rays affect adults most often by causing wrinkles and aging skin, but can also affect children if sunscreen is not used. UVB rays cause sunburn and potential effects on the immune system if not protected against. Both UV rays are most damaging during the hours of 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., when the sun is the hottest.
Keep in mind that even if you do not see the sun shining, it’s still reflecting its rays through the clouds and is often just as damaging. It is recommended to limit children’s time in the sun during these hours to keep them as protected from the UV rays as possible. Anytime they are in the sun, even outside of the sun’s hottest hours, children should always wear sunscreen.
Since the sun causes damage even when you don’t see it shining in the sky, always having sunscreen on will ensure you stay protected. An SPF of 30 or higher is recommended for both children and adults. It should be applied before going outside then every two hours if outside from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. It should also be re-applied if swimming is involved. Sunscreen should be applied even more often in children that have light to fair skin. Applying a generous amount on the face and other exposed body parts will keep them protected.
Protecting More Than Skin
In addition to wearing sunscreen, children can protect their eyes from the sun by wearing sunglasses. This will avoid them having to squint and keep the sand out of their eyes while they play on the beach. Wearing a cover up or long-sleeve swim shirt over their bathing suit can also help protect them from the sun while still allowing them to have fun and swim in the ocean or the pool.
If your child happens to get a sunburn, have them take a cool bath, apply aloe to the burn to keep them comfortable, and give them an anti-inflammatory medicine.
Contact Us
If you have questions about how to protect your child from the sun or which sunscreen is the best, contact the dermatologists at Dermatology & Mohs Surgery Institute. For those located in Bloomington, Illinois or the surrounding areas, complete this form to meet with a dermatologist.