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Sun Safety
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Most spring and summer activities take place outdoors and involve sun exposure. Most sun damage occurs during childhood, making it very important to protect your child's skin from the sun's damaging rays. Babies have thinner, more delicate skin and require extra protection. Even dark skinned babies and children can be sunburned, so it is important to protect the entire family.
Remember to stay hydrated on hot days and during sun exposure. Water and sports drinks are good options for children over 1 year of age. Pedialyte should be used in babies under 1yr of age.
Babies under 6 months
  • The best protection for babies under 6 months of age is avoiding direct sunlight, this means keeping them in the shade as much as possible. Avoid direct sunlight during the peak hours of 10am-4pm, when the sun's rays are the strongest and most damaging.
  • Dress your baby in lightweight cotton clothing that covers their arms and legs and a wide brimmed hat. 
  • Sunscreen can be used in babies under 6 months if shade is not available. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and apply to exposed areas such as face, backs of hands, arms and legs. Remember to apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours. Wash it off at the end of the day. 
Children 
  • Avoid direct sunlight between 10am-4pm during the sun's strongest rays.
  • Keep covered and in the shade as much as possible.
  • Wear sun protective, lightweight clothing, wide brimmed hats and sunglasses with UV protection.
  • Apply a broad-spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher to exposed areas 30 minutes prior to sun exposure. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or after swimming and sweating. Zinc oxide can also be used. 
  • Sunscreen with SPF 50+ has limited additional benefits.
  • Don't forget to apply to ears, backs of hands and the tops of feet.
  • Damaging UV rays can come through the clouds, making sun protection on overcast days just as important. 
  • Remember UV rays can bounce off of sand, water, concrete and even snow.
Sunburn Treatment
  • Most sunburns can be treated at home. Apply cool compresses to the affected areas and bathe in cool water. Tylenol can be given for pain.
  • Contact your pediatrician for more severe sunburns, including: 
  • Associated blistering, fevers, chills, headaches, or large areas of burned skin 
  • More severe sunburns may need specialized burn care.
More information regarding sun safety can be found at www.healthychildren.org, a free website provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics.



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