Your Childrens Health

With summer fast approaching, you probably can’t wait to hit the beach!  But before you go, take a few precautions to keep your children’s delicate skin safe in the hot summer sun.

Damage done in childhood years can last throughout your child’s life, leading to freckles, age spots, premature wrinkles, and even an elevated risk of skin cancer.  Their skin is so sensitive in the early years that you must take special precautions to try to protect them.  They’ll thank you later!

Babies under six months old should not wear sunscreen.  They may try to eat it or rub it in their eyes.  Instead, keep younger babies out of the sun completely.  Always protect them with sun bonnets, umbrellas, or shade.

All children should wear sun hats with a brim to protect their neck and ears.  Loose cotton shirts also help to keep them cool and protected from damaging UV rays.

Always apply a healthy helping of sunscreen at least 20 minutes before your children head out into the sun.  Choose one that is at least SPF 30 to 45.  Reapply if your child has been sweating, swimming, or toweling off.  Make sure that all exposed areas have been covered.

Try to avoid the sun in its peak hours, between 10 am and 2 pm.  If you must venture out, find shade as often as possible and avoid standing directly in the sun.  Make sure that your children have plenty of water and clear juices to keep them hydrated.

Taking precautions to protect your child from the sun pays off big in the long run.  But from time to time, you may need to treat a sunburn.  If your child has suffered a burn so severe that their skin is blistering, do not pop the blisters.  Take them to the doctor to be examined to determine the severity of the burn.  Breaking the blisters could cause an infection.

Bright red, painful burns can be treated with a combination of home remedies.  If your child can stand to sit in a tub of cool water, add a few caps of vinegar to take the sting out of the burn.  Gently rub pure aloe into their skin several times a day.  Never rub butter, lotion, or oils on a burn.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 9th, 2006 at 2:25 am and is filed under Uncategorized, Medical Care, Allergies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.