Avoiding exposure to the sun is the best way to prevent sunburn and skin cancer. This is almost impossible with children. Taking the following precautions will lessen the risks of sunburn:
1. Always put a hat and a long-sleeved shirt on your child if he is going into the sun. It does not have to be a sunny day for sunburn to occur. UV radiation can also penetrate cloud cover, so be especially careful on overcast days.
2. Use sunscreen which is a blockout (minimum protection factor of 15 + ). During the summer, apply this even if you are only going out shopping with your child. Always apply sunscreen before exposure to the sun. Reapply it every few hours.
3. Do not use oils, even if they claim to aid tanning. They increase the chance of sunburn because they effectively absorb more of the sun’s rays.
4. Limit the time spent in the sun to early morning or late afternoon. Avoid the few hours around midday, when the sun is at its strongest.
5. If your child is outdoors playing in a pool, reapply water-resistant sunscreen every hour.
6. Start sun exposure gradually, for 10 minutes a day, over 2-3 weeks, and build it up by 5 minutes a day.
7. Make sure there is always shade available for your child, for example, a beach umbrella.
8. Remember that reflected rays from snow and from water can also cause severe sunburn.
9. Remember to cover sensitive areas such as lips and nose, which are more prone to sunburn. There are special preparations available, or plain old zinc cream is very effective. (This now comes in many bright colours as well as white.)
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