If you want to keep your child's skin safe this summer, the best way is to make sure your child is always wearing sunscreen. Our pediatricians can tell you more. Drs. Katherine Krieg and Sharon Novy at Children's Oasis Pediatrics in Gilbert, AZ, provide a wide range of pediatric medical services and can help your child stay safe this summer.
What You Need To Know About Keeping Your Child's Skin Safe This Summer
Did you know the effects of sun exposure on your skin accumulate over time? It's true. That means the sun exposure your child is experiencing today can affect the skin years down the road when your child becomes an adult. Whenever your child is in the sun without sunscreen, your child is at risk for skin cancer in the future. That's how important sunscreen is to the health of your child's skin.
Sunscreen lotions, creams, and sprays are available with a sun protection factor, or SPF. You should:
- Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for children
- Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 50 if your child has fair skin and burns easily
- Reapply sunscreen every couple of hours
- Reapply sunscreen after your child has been in the water
- Use Water Resistant Sunscreen all the time even if not going in the water to help the sunscreen getting runny on the skin when your child sweats.
In addition to wearing sunscreen, here are some additional tips on summer safety for children. You should:
Have your child wear a hat and sunglasses to protect the top of the head and the eyes from burning
Make sure your child stays hydrated by drinking plenty of water
Find some shade to avoid damaging, direct UV rays
Want To Know More?
Our pediatricians are experts on summer safety for children, including protection from the sun. To find out more about the importance of sunscreen and other summer safety tips for children, call Drs. Katherine Krieg and Sharon Novy at Children's Oasis Pediatrics in Gilbert, AZ. You can reach them in the office by calling (480) 792-1012, so call today.