Also in this issue: Safe Bicycle Riding Prevents Injuries Dispelling Heart Murmur Myths Drowning Prevention: Ready, Set, Save! Talking With Younger Children About Sex Protect Your Family from Influenza A(H1N1) NEWSLETTER HOME PAGE		Here Comes the Sun Protection from damaging rays prevents problems now and later Studies have shown that 80 percent of lifetime sun exposure occurs before 18 years of age. Overexposure to the sun greatly increases the risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer — the most common form of cancer in the United States — and several studies have associated severe childhood or adolescent sunburns with the development of malignant melanoma, a potentially lethal form of skin cancer, later in life. Protecting children from sun damage at an early age develops good habits and it may reduce the incidence of melanoma skin cancer later, says Maurica Contreras, a clinical nurse specialist in the Dermatology department at Children’s. “Forming a sun-protection habit early in life is similar to seatbelt use,” Contreras says. “It is protective during childhood, but it also increases the likelihood that children will continue to practice those good habits later in life.”   To achieve effective sun protection, Contreras recommends families: Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to 30. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply sunscreen every one to two hours when outdoors, especially after swimming, perspiring or towel-drying. Avoid mid-day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) sun, whenever possible. Seek shade. Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of ultraviolet rays, and shirts made of tight-weave material. Keep infants out of direct sunlight. Use these sun-protective measures even on cloudy days and in the non-summer months. Proper techniques Contreras says some common mistakes include not applying an adequate amount of sunscreen and neglecting the following areas: Ears Neck Tops of the feet Exposed scalp While there is no quick cure for minor sunburn, moist compresses, tub baths and soothing lotions do provide some relief. Protecting infants If shade is unavailable to protect an infant, Contreras recommends using an umbrella or placing a blanket or towel over the baby’s carrier to provide protection from the sun, although she warns that refracted rays can still reach the infant under such shade. Also, dress infants in protective clothing and hats and use protective shields on car windows. “For infants, most physicians prefer these sun protection methods over sunscreens, although there is no evidence that sunscreens are harmful to infants,” Contreras says. In situations where sunscreen is desired, physical sunblocks, namely zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, would be preferred over chemical sunscreens since they are less irritating and have little to no cutaneous absorption. Contreras added that zinc oxide has a long record of safety in infants, since it is a commonly used therapy for diaper rashes. Resources Children's Health Library: Dermatology Last reviewed: May 2009		Find a Speciality & Service Support Children's childrens.com
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