All Texans know the sheer power of the sun as it shines down on “The Lone Star State.” While many states in the U.S. battle it out with the cold during winter, Texas generally remains sunny and warm all year round. Because of this, it’s important to know how to protect your skin from sun damage.
You may know how to protect your skin from the sun, but do your children? Kids typically don’t know how to properly care for themselves, which is why we have to do it for them. A child’s skin is very sensitive and can burn much more easily than adult skin. And for every sunburn you get, your risk of developing conditions like melanoma increases.
In the sunny state of Texas, sun safety is just as important as good nutrition. You cannot restrict your kids from going out, so what can you do?
Here are four tips on how you can help protect your children’s skin.
Use Broad-Spectrum Sunblock
Make sure your children use not just any sunblock but broad-spectrum sunblock that protects against UVA and UVB damage and has SPF of 30 or higher. It’s important to help your children develop the habit of applying sunblock early on so it becomes second nature to them.
It takes about half an hour before sunblock takes effect so advise them to wait before venturing out. Sunblock also requires reapplication, especially after swimming. The rule of thumb is to re-apply sunblock after swimming or after every two hours. Also, when you apply sunscreen, apply it generously.
Seek Shade From the Sun
It’s best to avoid the sun in the hours between 10 am and 4 pm. The sun is at its strongest and most damaging abilities during these hours. Fortunately, children are usually in school during these hours so it’s not too difficult to keep them out of the sun. But on weekends and holidays when they are at home, try to plan activities indoors during these hours whenever possible.
Wear Sunglasses
While you may not venture outside on a sunny day without sunglasses, are you providing the same level of protection to your kids’ eyes? Sunglasses have UV protection that prevents sun damage in the eye area. Children’s eyes also need protection from sun damage. Make sure your child has a pair of sunglasses when going out. Choose sunglasses that wrap around the head so they don’t fall off when running or playing.
Wear Hats
Your child’s scalp is very sensitive and needs protection from the sun, too. A hat can adequately provide protection from the harmful rays of the sun to not just the scalp but also the face, ears, and neck. Choose a hat with a wide brim that provides shade to the face and the neck. One thing to keep in mind is that wearing a hat doesn’t mean your child can forgo the sunscreen. A hat can only have an SPF protection of about 10. Therefore, combine its use with sunblock to make sure your child has adequate protection against the sun.
Pediatric Urgent Care in North Richland Hills, Texas
If your child has suffered a sunburn or any sun-related condition, seek medical attention immediately. If you live in the Keller, Colleyville, Southlake, North Richland Hills, Ft. Worth, Euless, or Westlake areas, visit EMC Express Care for urgent care. EMC Express Care accepts walk-ins and provides urgent care services for a variety of pediatric conditions.
If you have any questions about our urgent care services, please call (817) 503-8800. If you are on your way, you may check in online for faster service.
