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Many people
believe that a tan and a rosy glow to the cheeks gives a healthy look
to young and old alike. But the truth is that prolonged exposure to
the sun can be very dangerous, especially for young children, warns
the state PTA.
In fact, excessive sun exposure during the first 20 years of life is
known to be a key risk factor for all types of skin cancer.
Those most at risk are people with blond, red, or light brown hair,
light-colored eyes, and fair skin. Dark-skinned people have a much lower
incidence of skin cancer, but should still be careful about over-exposure.
It’s a good idea to take measures to prevent skin cancer while
a child is young. Infants up to six months of age should be kept out
of the sun all together, or at least shaded from it completely. For
younger children, it’s best to use a milky or gel type 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 reapply 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 possible, it is best to have children avoid sun exposure between
10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun is its most intense. If that’s
not possible, they 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.
In short, it’s a good idea to take common sense precautions in
the sun, especially with children.
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