Q: I hear we're set for a hot summer, how do I best protect my child?
Children are particularly susceptible to harmful sun rays because their skin is thinner - a baby's is around a fifth the thickness of an adult's skin. A child's skin can burn in as little as ten minutes. Just six episodes of serious sunburn before the age of 18 can double the risk of a child developing skin cancer in later life.
A catchy mantra to follow and teach your child is 'Slip, slop, slap!' - slip on a T-shirt, slop on sun cream and slap on a hat. They will also follow your lead, so be a good role model by regularly applying sun cream and limiting your time in the sun.
Choosing a high-factor sun cream is essential. Try to keep your child in the shade as much as possible, particularly between 11am and 3pm, when the sun's ultraviolet levels are at their strongest, even in the UK. Under big umbrellas and in tents can be fun, sheltered places to play.
Don't forget that it's even possible to get burned when the sky is overcast. But do remember that sunshine is also good for us. It helps our bodies create Vitamin D, which helps us absorb calcium, and gives a general feeling of well-being.
Q: What is the advice for babies?
Babies can overheat and burn very quickly, so they should never be left in the sun, especially under six months old. Any sunburn on a baby should be shown to a doctor as a matter of priority.
Q: What sun cream should we use?
All children, no matter how dark their skin, should use sun protection. Choose a sun cream with both UVA (long-wave solar rays, blamed for ageing skin) and UVB protection (short-wave solar rays, blamed for burning) and as high a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) as possible, preferably more than 30. Some creams have a UVA nought-to-five star rating - the more stars the better. Choose water-resistant cream if your child will be swimming or playing in water.
- Apply cream generously about 30 minutes before your child is going in the sun. Don't forget the back and sides of the neck, temples and ears, which are commonly missed.
- Reapply sun cream approximately every two hours, or more often if your child has been in the water.
Q: How should I dress my child when they are playing in the sun?
Choose close-weave baggy clothing, such as cotton or linen, with long sleeves if possible. This should be cooler than other fabrics and also stop the sun's rays, whereas open-weave fabrics or nylon and other synthetics often permit harmful rays through (place your hand inside the clothing to see if you can see through the material). If your child is playing in water you may consider a 'mini wetsuit', which completely covers the child.
It's also important to wear a hat, preferably one that protects the ears and back of neck as well as shading the face. Legionnaire-style hats offer more protection than baseball caps. Sunglasses with UV protection are also good, if your child will wear them.
Q: What should I do if my child does get sunburned, or feels ill after being in the sun?
If all your precautions have failed and your child is sunburned, it is important to keep them out of the sun until it has healed. More exposure will increase the severity of the burn.
Reduce the pain and heat by giving them a cool bath, or applying wet cloths to the affected areas. Soothing after-sun, calamine lotion or aloe vera gel can also relieve pain and help the skin to heal. A painkiller may help, but check with a pharmacist first.
Take your child to the doctor if the sunburn is severe and blisters appear. Try to stop a child from scratching or popping any blisters, to help prevent scarring and infection.
Make sure your child drinks plenty of liquid, preferably water, when they are playing in the sun to help avoid dehydration. Overheating, dehydration and, sometimes, sunburn can lead to heat-related illness such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Take your child to the doctor immediately if they have nausea, faint, vomit, or suffer from delirium (mental confusion) or diarrhoea.
