The weather is hot here in Adelaide, and I have been hearing some reports on the news lately about the increasing number of children needing to be treated for sunburn, which made me think- What do I do to stop my kids from getting sunburnt.  The SLIP SLOP SLAP SEEK

and SLIDE ads are on TV, and with these constant reminders, it makes you wonder why the rates of bad sunburn in kids is increasing.

http://www.acf.org.au/aspx/news_article.aspx?id=26

 

 

 

SLIP

Slip on a shirt.  Clothing choice for children in the sun is important.  Go for T-shirts instead of singlets, the more coverage the better.  Our childcare centre has a rule in place where skin on the shoulders must be covered for sun protection.  When our kids go swimming, they wear long sleeve swim tops/rash vests to protect them from the sun.  They do get cold quickly when out of the water, but it’s important to replace the wet top with a dry top, rather than leaving skin exposed.

 

SLOP

Slop on Sunscreen.  If we are going to the park or the pool, or if its going to be a warm day at childcare, the kids always get sunscreen put on before we go out.  They like to help to rub it in.  Make sure your sunscreen is still within its use by date, they usually expire by the time the next summer comes around.  I also keep a little roll-on bottle of baby sunscreen in the nappy bag as its small and convenient and comes in handy when baby legs are exposed during walks with the pram.  Next time I buy sunscreen, I am going to try the spray on type to see if this makes application quicker.  Don’t forget to re-apply if you have been in the sun long enough.  Don’t forget that little crack in between the T-shirt and shorts on the child’s back that often gets inadvertently exposed to the sun

 

SLAP

Slap on a hat.  Our childcare centre has a ‘no hat-no play’ policy for outdoor play.  Childcare centres and schools alike and installing these policies.  We continue this rule at home.  Wide brimmed or legionnaires style hats are recommended by the cancer council.  Wearing compliance can be increased if it has a favourite character or picture on it.  Beware of baby hats with elastics or cords, as this may pose a strangulation risk.

 

SEEK

Seek shade/shelter.  Don’t keep you kids out in the sun if they don’t have to be there, especially in the hottest part of the day.  Look for shade.  We use a blanket or the Outlook pram cover when the baby is in the pram.  We also use a canvas gazebo in our backyard over the grass during summer for extra shade.  We also make sure we have our pop up beach tent when we are taking the kids to the beach.

 

SLIDE

Slide on sunglasses.  Eye protection is important for me, as I have a condition called ‘blond retinas’, meaning that the light effects my eyes more than normal.  Just in case I have passed this onto my kids, I have always been aware of protecting their eyes from the sun.  As babies, they had ‘Baby Bandz’ sunglasses.  Make sure kids sunnies have a UV rating, as there are quite a few out there only intended for play and have no benefits for wearing in the sun at all.

 

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

You can’t get your child to be compliant with wearing hats, sunscreen etc if you don’t do it yourself.  Be a good role model and practice what you preach.  It’s so much easier to get my kids to leave their hats on if I am wearing mine.

 

If your child does get burnt

We all know that sunburn hurts like hell.  Paracetamol may be required, but try aloe vera gel, moisturizers, damp towels over the skin, tepid baths, sitting in front of a fan or an over the counter sunburn cream first.  Be careful with home remedies as some can make it worse, especially those that are oil or fat based.  Other home remedies can be fantastic, just do your research first.  Avoid soaps. Avoid further sun exposure.

 

Burnt skin is skin that is no longer effective at doing its job- which is protection, temperature control and moisture retention.  Hence, sunburnt children are a high risk of dehydration and potentially electrolyte imbalances as well.  Encourage drinking to prevent dehydration, and if you have any concerns- seek medical advice.  Children do end up in the emergency department with sunburn.  Watch for signs of dehydration, or sunstroke/heatstroke such as increased breathing rate, increased pulse rate, higher temperature, nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, visual disturbances, irritability, drowsiness or confusion, seizures, no sweating, or muscle cramps.  If your child has any of these signs and symptoms, he/she will need urgent medical attention.

 

Remember that the protection you can offer your children from the sun now will greatly protect them from skin cancer as adults.  There is a proven link between sun exposure in childhood and adult skin cancers.

 

http://www.cancersa.org.au/aspx/news_article.aspx?id=316

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,27574,24919148-2682,00.html

 

stay sun-safe and start good sun habits now.