June 16, 2000

Beware of Sun Exposure for Children

With summer here, many people believe that a tan and a rosy glow to the cheeks give 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. ItÕs 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, itÕs 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 liberally apply sunscreen 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. ItÕs 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. More . . . If itÕs at all possible, itÕs best to have children avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m and 2 p.m. when the sun is at its most intense. If thatÕs 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, itÕs especially important to remember that a cloud cover only partially blocks harmful radiation and skin wonÕt necessarily feel warm until it is too late. In short, itÕs a good idea to take commonsense precautions in the sun, especially with children.