Dr Michelle O'Driscoll: Everything you need to know about sun safety

WE were pinching ourselves during the recent spell of sunny weather at the weekend, afraid to get used to it, yet hopeful it might stick around long enough to be able to say we got a summer.

Kids are in their element playing outside and catching up on the months without the natural source of vitamin D.

However, sun safety is really important to remember, to keep them safe and well, particularly between April and September.

Sunburn

Sunburn is something that many of us as children experienced, often every summer!

Times have changed though, as the dangers of sun damage to our skin have been better researched, and we’re more aware of the consequences. The risk of melanoma in later life after being burned in early years is well documented now, and we’ve become far less complacent about our sun protection.

Sun UV rays travel through cloud also, hence why even on a dull day protection is so important. For our kids, they can often put up a fight when it comes to suncream application, but using this and other ways to protect their skin is vital at this time of year. 

Sprays are really convenient to cover areas quickly, and a cheap foundation brush is a great way to get the suncream on their faces evenly.

The age of your child helps to determine how to protect their skin. Babies should be kept out of the sun altogether rather than using cream, but suncream for sensitive skin can be used on small areas when required.

The protection factor that we use for our kids should always be 50 plus. Interestingly, the SPF number that we’re all quite familiar with only indicates the protection against UVB rays. There is a star system for how much UVA protection is offered. You’d need a four or five star cream for sufficient coverage.

UV protection clothing can be got to minimise the amount of uncovered skin. Materials differ in terms of how much UV rays they let through, and some kids’ swim costumes have UV protection built in.

Hats, staying in the shade, and staying hydrated are all important elements of sun safety. Sunglasses protect the eyes, which can develop cataracts in later years otherwise.

A note on heat-stroke

Because children don’t sweat as much as adults, they’re more likely to experience heat exhaustion. This is where they become irritable, tired and thirsty. They may get cramps in their limbs, feel clammy and look pale.

It’s not a medical emergency if you can take measures to cool them down within 30 minutes. Bringing them into a cool room, removing clothing that isn’t needed, and sponging them down with cool water should all help to achieve this. 

However, if this persists for longer than 30 minutes it has become heat-stroke which is considered a medical emergency, particularly if they’ve a headache, confusion and/or fast shallow breathing.

Sleeping outside in direct sunlight, or in a car is not advised. Strenuous activity in heat over 30C isn’t recommended either. Loose, cool, light-coloured clothes are best, and avoiding the peak heat times of 11am-3pm is wise.

With the joy of the sun, the ninety-nine cones and the picnics on the beach, also comes risks. Safe sun practices will protect our kids now and into their futures, while still making those wonderful memories.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Dr Michelle O’Driscoll is a pharmacist, re searcher and founder of InTuition, a health and wellness education company. Her research lies in the area of mental health education, and through InTuition she delivers health promotion workshops to corporate and academic organisations nationally.