By Lara Leonhardt, MD, Bee Well Pediatrics

Baby its Hot outside…Sunburn is caused by an overexposure of the skin to UV radiation (usually from the sun). Repeated sunburns (and tanning) cause premature aging of the skin and may increase the risk of skin cancer.  The 1st and best line of defense is covering up.  Keep babies under 6 months old out of direct sunlight. Minimize exposure between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM (this is the period when the sun's rays are the strongest).  When applying sunscreen, don’t make it a battle every time, instead make it a game, mom paints child first, then take turns.  Use SPF 15 or higher is recommended.  An SPF of 15 allows only 1/15 (7%) of the sun's rays to get through and thereby extends safe sun exposure from 20 minutes to 5 hours without sun burning.  If you have a fair skinned child you should use SPF 30 or greater; Apply more than 30 minutes prior to sun exposure, reapply every 2 hours at least (or after swimming, even if waterproof); protect the peepers with sunglasses with UV protection. Remember the best way is to ALWAYS set a good example for your children: use sunscreen on yourself and wear your sunglasses!  Also, make sure you all remember to drink when playing outside.

For infants younger than 6 months, avoiding sun exposure and the use of lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and brimmed hats are still the top recommendations to prevent sunburn.  Yes, your young babies have thin skin and will be more sensitive to the sun. Therefore, it is extremely important to protect your infant from the sun including the use of sunscreen. Sunscreen may be used sparingly on exposed areas of skin such as the hands, feet, and face.

First Aid:
Pain relief: The sensation of pain and heat will probably last 48 hours. Ibuprofen products (such as Advil) started early and continued for 2 days can greatly reduce the discomfort. Do not use petroleum jelly or other ointments because they keep heat and sweat from escaping.   The symptoms can also be helped by taking cool baths or putting cold wet cloths on the burned area several times a day. Showers are usually too painful.   Your child should drink extra water to replace the fluid lost into the swelling of sunburned skin and to prevent dehydration and dizziness.Don't buy any first aid creams or sprays for burns. They often contain benzocaine, which can cause an allergic rash.

Pool Safety: If you have a swimming pool, start your summer fun in the sun by fencing in the pool area on all four sides and keep the gates/entries locked.  Next, in the event you have a sinker, have a shepherd's hook and a life preserver in the pool area.
REMEMBER: ALL ADULTS WHO ARE SUPERVISING CHILDREN SWIMMING OR PLAYING IN THE WATER SHOULD LEARN CPR.

Bites and Stings
Don’t let your sweetie be eaten up.  To avoid mosquito bites or even tick bites, keep the body covered. Stay away from where mosquitoes breed, such as stagnant water, uncovered foods, or gardens in bloom. Many of these bites can be prevented by using an insect repellent such as DEET or permethrin before your child goes outdoors or into the woods. Always use repellents for infants less than 1 year old because they cannot bat the insects away.  DEET is a very effective ingredient used to repel mosquitoes, ticks and other bugs. When using a product containing

DEET, follow these precautions:
The percentage of DEET in a product tells you how long it lasts, not how strong it is. Use a repellent with 30% DEET for children and teens. 30% DEET protects for 6 hours. Use products containing 10% DEET if you only need protection for 2 hours. The American Academy of Pediatrics has approved the use of 30% DEET or less for children over 2 months of age. Do not put DEET on the eyes or mouth. Don't put DEET on your child's hands if your child sucks his thumb or finger.

Beach Blazers

Whether you are going to Galveston or Cozumel, Sand can sizzle little feet.  Always put water shoes or sandals on your little one.  Also, remember to wear your sunglasses to protect from the UV rays, glare, and blowing sand, all of which can bring doom and gloom to your day.

Jelly fish are the next little pesky creatures you need to know how to recognize.  They can sting you in water or on the beach.  Sometimes they disguise themselves, because they are transparent and small or they can also be a shiny light blue color which attracts little hands.

First Aid: 
Scrape off any stinging tentacles with the edge of a credit card or knife. Don't scrub the area because that can cause the stingers to release venom.   Neutralize the venom by holding a cotton ball soaked with vinegar on the area for 30 minutes.  Apply 1% hydrocortisone cream (no prescription needed) four times a day for a few days to reduce itching and swelling.

We hope you all have a safe and fun summer.  Enjoy being outside and with your family.

©HBG0410