Utah Valley Pediatrics strives to keep parents up to date on the latest health topics and advisories. Our newsletter covers medicine changes and news, pediatric news, seasonal and age specific topics and what’s new at Utah Valley Pediatrics.
Archives
Summer 2009
Vol. 3 Issue 2
Medicine Changes and News
A False Sense of Security: Refusing Vaccination Puts Us at Risk
Medical Discount Cards — Not Worth The Investment
Pediatric News
Does My Child Have an Allergy?
Protecting Your Child From Asthma Flare-Ups
Seasonal and Age Specific
Fun in the Sun: Protect Your Children From Skin Damage
Sign Up Early for Sports and Camp Physicals
What's New at UVP
Dr. Michael P. Fullmer Joins Payson Office
Payson Office Expands After Hours Care
Contacts
Kevin Moffitt
Administrator
801-373-8930
Allison Arnold
Manager
801-373-8930
Quick Links
Fun in the Sun: Protect Your Children From Skin Damage
Sun in moderation is our primary source of vitamin D, but if we get too much sun it can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and cancer. Since children are out in the sun a lot, it is important to keep them protected. Most children get between 50% and 80% of their lifetime sun exposure before they turn 18. Most of this exposure occurs during day-to-day activities, meaning parents need to be careful everyday, not just during those occasional trips to the lake.
Melanin is our body's natural defense against damaging UV rays from the sun. You get a sunburn when you are exposed to more UV rays than the melanin can absorb, but even a so called "healthy" tan can mean that damage has occurred.
How often, when, and where you are out in the sun makes a difference in how much sun damage occurs. Obviously being out in the sun a lot causes more damage, but being outside during times of high concentration can also increase the risk of damage. UV rays are at their strongest during the summer and the peak hours between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. They are also more concentrated near the equator and at high altitudes.
Some people are more susceptible to skin damage than others, so be extra careful with children who have moles; a family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma; or very fair hair and skin. However, children without these traits still need skin protection to avoid skin damage, painful sunburns, and overexposure to the sun.
Parents need to be extra careful with babies. Because sunscreen should not be used with babies under six months old, the best idea is to keep them completely out of the sun. If you are going to be out in the sun, your baby should wear a wide brim hat and clothes that cover the entire body.
More Sun Safety Tips:
• Be sure to use sunscreen while snow or water skiing as UV exposure increases when the rays reflect off of snow or water.
• Use sunscreen even if the kids are just playing in the backyard.
• Be careful on cloudy or smoggy days. Just because you can't see the sun doesn't mean that the UV rays aren't traveling through the cloud cover.
• Make sure your children are wearing clothing that protects their skin. This includes a wide brim hat, sunglasses, and clothing made of tightly woven fabric.
• If you are going to be outdoors all day, bring along an umbrella or pop-up tent.
• Always use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Make sure it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
• Apply sunscreen properly by always applying it about 30 minutes beforehand. Sunscreen should be applied generously and make sure to get the lips, ears, hands, feet, shoulders, back of the neck, and underneath bathing suit straps. Reapply sunscreen every two to three hours or after your child has been sweating or swimming. Use waterproof sunscreen if you are going to be around or in the water.
• Avoid eye damage by having your children wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection. Call your doctor if it hurts your child to look at light, they may have a sunburn of the eye's cornea. Sun exposure can also lead to cataracts.
• Some medications, especially antibiotics and acne medications, can make you more sensitive to the sun. Check your child's prescriptions or over-the-counter medications to make sure they don't increase sun sensitivity. If they do, be sure to cover up or stay indoors.
How To Treat a Sunburn
• At the first signs of a sunburn keep your child in the shade. Being out in the sun will only make it worse.
• A cool, but not cold, bath can help reduce the pain and heat.
• Put pure aloe vera gel on the sunburn to help with the pain and speed up the healing process.
• A pain reliever (like acetaminophen, ibuprofen or an over-the-counter spray on "after-sun" pain reliever) can help ease the symptoms.
• To rehydrate the skin and avoid swelling use a topical moisturizing cream that isn't petroleum-based or that doesn't contain benzocaine.
• As the burn starts to heal, don't scratch off loose skin. The sensitive skin underneath is susceptible to infection.
• Call your doctor if blisters develop or if the sunburned skin looks infected. Do not pop blisters.
For more information:
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