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With summer around the corner, many people believe that a tan gives
a healthy glow to young and old alike. But the truth is that prolonged
exposure to the sun can be very dangerous, especially for young children.
Remember, excessive sun exposure during the first 20 years of life
is a key risk factor for all types of skin cancer, so being careful
can reap rewards over a lifetime.
This is a good time to be reminded of helpful precautions that parents
can take to safeguard their family.
Infants up to six months of age should be kept out of the sun altogether,
or at least shaded from it completely. For younger children, it’s
best to use a milky or gel form of sunscreen instead of a lotion that
could sting when applied.
The wisest preventive measure is to apply sunscreen liberally, with
a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher, at least 30 minutes
before going into the sun, and then re-apply at the intervals recommended
by the product.
It’s also a good idea to use an opaque sunscreen, like zinc oxide,
on those sensitive areas on the nose, lips, and tips of the ears. Many
people forget to apply sunscreen to their toes, and a burn there can
be particularly painful.
If it’s at all possible, it’s best to have children avoid
direct sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun is most
intense. If that’s not possible, children should use a hat and
protective clothing, with extra sunscreen. Sun exposure is particularly
dangerous at high altitudes and in areas with reflective surfaces,
like water or sand.
In Santa Barbara County, it’s especially important to remember
that a cloud cover only partially blocks harmful radiation, and skin
won’t necessarily feel warm until it is too late. Use sunscreen
even on a cloudy day.
Commonsense precautions, especially with children, can save a lot of
heartache in the short term and the long term.
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