Sunscreen guidelines |
 |
Everyone who knows me, knows that I can’t resist a good pun. So I loved learning that the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention designated the Friday before Memorial Day as ‘Don’t Fry Day.’ Hopefully this post will be full of information that helps you avoid sunburns for you and your family. While we need to be a little more protective of our fairest kids, regardless of the skin pigment, everyone should be wary of sun exposure.
What about vitamin D? The sun is indeed a great source of vitamin D. Unfortunately the risks outweigh the benefits. It is much safer to get vitamin D through a diet that includes vitamin supplements and foods fortified with vitamin D. If you do opt to get some D through sun exposure, keep it short and do it in the morning. Note that vitamin D is blocked from glass. So while sunshine through the window can give you a burn, it won’t help with your vitamin D levels. Using sunscreen is an important tool in avoiding sunburn. Figuring out which sunscreen to buy can be a bit challenging. There are several things to sift through. Here is some basic information/options and considerations... Sunscreens are either mineral or synthetic/chemical.
SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is a measure of how well a sunscreen will protect the skin from the UVB rays. Quite a few studies state that it is not worth getting any SPF that is over 50. These studies suggest that the higher SPF doesn’t offer a significant increase in protection, just more chemical exposure and a false sense of security.
The use of sunscreen should be routine. Great habits now will avoid those wrinkles and potentially serious skin problems later on. For older kids, using makeup brushes to apply it can be an appealing and effective way to turn this into a habit.
If you can plan appropriately, apply the sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going out. Ideally put it on before the clothing to make sure you don’t miss a spot. For significant sun exposure, sunscreen needs to be reapplied at least every 2 hours. This includes products that claim to be waterproof. Don’t forget to protect the feet, the ears and the top of the head if you have thin or no hair up there. (Better yet, keep a hat on!)
Sunscreens come in several forms. Lotions and sticks are my preferred formulation. With the mineral powders, try to contain the application so that your child doesn’t breath in the particles. I don’t love the sprays because it is easy to miss spots and inhalation can be an issue. They can also be flammable! If you are going swimming make sure you pick one that is waterproof. Consider the impact on the environment. If you are simply hanging out in the park, it isn’t an issue, but if you are swimming in a natural body of water, (especially the ocean), some chemical sunscreens that contain ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate are believed to contribute to coral bleaching, and damage the reefs. That is an extra benefit to the mineral based products When you are trying to choose a good brand, it can feel a little daunting. You need to be a careful label reader. There are currently 16 active ingredients allowed in sunscreen! Only two of these 16 ingredients, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide have earned the GRASE acronym (generally recognized as safe and effective.)
At least two of the ingredients, PABA and trolamine salicylate, should be avoided. The FDA has ongoing investigations into the remaining 12 ingredients. The concern is that recent studies have found that the ingredients in some sunscreens are being absorbed at a higher level than previously thought. The fact that an ingredient is absorbed through the skin and into the body does NOT mean that the ingredient is unsafe, but it makes sense to do further studies. Did your eyes just glaze over? Rather than trying to navigate all of this info, I would simply check in with the EWG. They have done all the work for you and have a list of the safest sunscreen. The Environmental Working Group has listed their best kid sunscreens. Keep in mind that the cost does not necessarily correlate with the better choices. Please don't stress out if you have been using one that isn’t on the list. Sunscreen ingredients have been used for several decades without reported side effects. Take this new information, and choose good brands moving forward.
Whichever brand you choose, reapplying is essential!! If your child is out with a nanny or friend, don't hesitate to remind them to be on the "sun protection patrol". Trust me, sometimes it seems that sunburns can be just as painful for the grown up who lets it happen on their watch! Set a timer on your watch to go into a shady area every 15 minutes or so to assess the skin and put on another application if necessary. What about babies? This is probably the question that brought many of you to this post. It is terrific for babies to be exposed to daylight; this can help them learn to know the difference between day and night. But there is a vast difference between daylight and direct sun exposure. Here is the challenge - if you are out and about having a normal life, it is very difficult to eliminate all sun exposure. Obviously shade, hats, umbrellas etc are the first choice. However I get the question about sunscreen on babies all of the time from families who are going on vacation or just want to hang out at the pool. Here is my answer: If your child is under 6 months old and the choice is sunburn versus sunscreen, choose the sunscreen every time! For kids under 6 months, I prefer picking one that is zinc based. Consider that zinc is the common ingredient in many diaper rash creams that we start applying from day one. It is quite safe. Dr. Ted would prefer that you double down on keeping them out of the sun. Shaded strollers are great. But he also reminds patients that babies aren’t vampires, and they won’t melt if their arm comes out of the shadows. It’s all about risk/benefit, and the risk of sunscreen is usually allergic reactions/rashes, which are annoying but preferable to skin cancers down the road. So when there is absolutely no choice, a bit of zinc based sunscreen on the exposed little body part is preferable. For kids of any age, If you are using any sunscreen for the first time, do a test patch on one small area on the thigh or wrist a few hours before sun exposure. If you slather your child with a new sunscreen, spend a day out in the sun and then they break out in a rash, it could be from any number of causes, including heat, sun, the sunscreen or even something they ate. Doing a test patch first can assure you that the sunscreen isn’t the culprit. Other sun protection tools As I noted earlier, your best bet for preventing sunburn is to stay in the shade when possible and also wear a big floppy hat and loose protective clothing. If you get your kids in the habit early, they are less likely to object to having something covering their head. Set a good example and have the adults in the family wear hats as well.
Not all hats are created equal. Choose a wide brim that gives the neck some protection. Make sure the fabric doesn’t have gaps. A straw hat would not be as good as one with tighter fabric. Letting your child pick out a cute hat that fits the parameters might ensure more cooperation.
Have a parasol or a shade umbrella over strollers and baby carriers. Pay attention to babies in backpacks; they might be getting more exposure than you are aware of. Umbrellas are not foolproof. You can also get sun exposure through glass. Kids sitting inside a car can get a painful sunburn.
Eyes can also get damaged from the sun. Do your best to get your child used to wearing sunglasses. The lighter the eye color, the more sensitive they are likely to be, but everyone should wear eye protection.
Don’t forget about lips! There are lots of lip products with SPF protection. If you know you will be out in the sun, check out some sun protection clothing! Options and technology are increasing all of the time. Lightweight sun protection blankets are a worthy investment. Having one in the stroller or car seat will no doubt come in handy at some point,
Some things can make you extra sensitive Be aware that some medications including some antibiotics such as Bactrim, can make someone especially sensitive to sun exposure. Make sure you are familiar with any medication that you or your children are taking to make sure this isn’t a factor. If you aren’t sure, consult with your local pharmacist.
Time and location can make a difference Sun can do the most damage to our skin between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, with the most intense rays between 10 am and 2 pm. Reflection from water, sand and/or snow can make any exposure more intense. The link below will lead you to a great little site that can tell you what the UV risk is on a particular day depending on where you are: As far as location goes, the closer to the equator, the higher the risk. But even in San Francisco with our foggy days, we have to pay attention. How to manage a Sunburn If prevention efforts have failed? Make sure the person who got sunburned is hydrated. Pedialyte or something with electrolyte is ideal. For mild to moderate sunburns, as soon as you can, do a long soak (at least 15 minutes) in a tepid bath. Adding a couple spoonfuls of baking soda or oatmeal (for the tub) can be soothing. After you gently dry off, apply aloe or calendula to the lighter areas. For the really painful patches, Dr. Cheung, a San Francisco dermatologist suggests that you forgo the aloe vera and instead apply the 1% hydrocortisone cream that you can get over the counter. Apply twice a day until the pain is gone. Ibuprofen (with food) can also help decrease the pain and inflammation. I have seen some sunburns so severe that they cause blisters. If a larger surface of the body is impacted, it is worth seeing the doctor. Check out the ‘Don’t Fry Day tool kit’ for activities that you can do with your kids to increase their awareness about the need to be safe in the sun |
No comments:
Post a Comment