Don't Get Burned Out

Summer. It’s the time of year most of us head into the great outdoors to enjoy the nice weather and sunshine. But heading into those sun-intense days of midsummer, I am always on the lookout for ways to protect my kids from getting too much sun. Long days in the pool, hot sports practices, and lack of adequate shade can combine to cause heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and of course, the dreaded sunburn.

When I was growing up, a great tan was part of everyone’s sought-after summer wardrobe, and long days sunbathing on the beach or poolside coated in baby oil or “suntan lotion” contributed to that coveted summer-bronzed look. How times have changed! Obviously, we know a lot more these days about the perils of skin damage caused by too much sun exposure. Every day I read new studies that toss around terms like UVA, UVB, and SPF, or debate the benefits and drawbacks of different sunscreen components, or explain the different types of skin cancer.

Of course, most of us wouldn’t dream of sending our kids to camp all day or to a midday sports practice or the beach without a healthy application of sunscreen, but it’s important to reapply sunscreen (with a sun protection factor – SPF – of 15 or higher) to dry skin every few hours. Avoiding sun at peak times of the day, like late morning to early afternoon, can cut the risk of sun damage, as can wearing hats, swim shirts, and other protective clothing that covers a lot of exposed skin.

Of course, even those of us with the best of intentions can miss a patch of skin when applying sunscreen or forget to reapply it. And anyone who has ever suffered even a relatively mild sunburn knows how painful it can be – just try to get a good night’s sleep with a badly sunburned back!

For those (hopefully rare) occasions when one of the little ones gets too much sun, it goes without saying that spending time out of the sun is a must until the burn goes away. Children’s Tylenol or Motrin can help ease the pain, and topically,
aloe vera gel can soothe the burn and take away some of the bite. Some sprays
or gels containing hydrocortisone may help ease the pain, but ask a doctor before you use these on small children. Cool baths and compresses can also help. And when recovering from a sunburn, it’s also important to drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration or ease a mild fever that might accompany the burn.

Obviously, it’s best to avoid a sunburn in the first place, and by keeping an eye on your kids and making sure they are properly protected before they hit the beach or the pool, you’re more likely to enjoy a burn-free summer. So enjoy the sunny, carefree days of summer – just do so with a little extra care!