Sun Safety For Your Baby
Sunburn is sore and reddened skin caused by exposure to the sun. Blisters may appear on badly affected areas. Flaking or peeling of the skin often occurs a day or two later. Babies and young children, especially those with fair skin, are particularly vulnerable.
In Egypt, the sun is hot all year round and protecting your baby from the sun and sunburn during childhood can help ward off skin cancer later on. According to sources, the sun’s rays are responsible for up to 90% of all skin cancers and just one bad burn during childhood can double the risk of your child developing skin cancer when he grows up.
Always do your best to protect your child by remembering these safeguards:
Apply a sunscreen lotion with the highest protection factor (SPF) available whenever your baby is in the sun – even on hot cloudy days! Sunscreen should be applied all over the body – including under light T-shirts! Babies (and adults, too!) need sunscreen even when they are sitting in the shade of an umbrella because the sun’s rays are reflected off the water and sand and reflected rays can burn, too.
Sunscreens contain chemicals. Many brands of sunscreen are toxic so make sure to do your research and choose a safer sunscreen.
Dress your baby in a T-shirt and a wide brim hat and keep them on while he’s playing in the sand or in the water to protect his shoulders and head.
Once your baby finishes playing in the water, reapply sunscreen.
Never leave your baby asleep in the sun.
Make use of the early morning and late afternoon for outdoor play and stay indoors during midday.
Consult your doctor immediately if the baby develops a fever and seems unwell or blisters appear over a large area.
Our extensive collection of articles spans the efforts of over 20 years of work and covers a wide range of topics having to do with family and child care. Our articles are all developed and updated with the assistance and support of leaders in the fields of medicine, nutrition and parenting, among others.
