Tag Archive for 'Sunscreen'

The Scoop on Sunscreen

Published on July 27, 2010 in Safety. 1 Comment Tags: .

My wife would be the first one to tell you that I use a lot of sunscreen whether it is here around Seattle or on vacation in Maui. Many of my patients have heard me tell them to use it if they do not want to look like a thick brown piece of leather when they are older. Having said that, kids do like to have fun in the sun, which is why we have sunscreen.

These days there are so many sunscreen options out there it is hard to know which one to pick. They are all the same, right? The answer is no. Some have better  protection than others and some are safer than others. When it comes to higher SPF ratings, at some point it becomes a numbers game. Most people do not apply enough sunscreen nor do they reapply it often enough. Ideally it should be applied 30 minutes Continue reading ‘The Scoop on Sunscreen’

The Heat is On

Published on July 8, 2010 in Parenting, Prevention and Safety. 2 Comments Tags: , , .

It is hard to believe that just a few days ago it was raining on the Fourth of July as fireworks went off. To my surprise, I got called in to work on the Fourth at the Group Health Urgent Care. I am happy to report that I did not see any firework related injuries on that day.

With the hot weather, many of us will head to the outdoors to play in the sun but it is important to take some precautions. Smaller children can be much less tolerant of the heat than us grown ups due to the greater body surface area in proportion to their weight. They also may not drink enough liquids to keep up. This can lead to heat stroke or dehydration, so it is important to pay attention.

Some tips:
1. Drink liquids frequently throughout the day and especially during periods of exercise in the heat. They should be drinking liquids before, during and after an activity even if they are not thirsty.

2. Allow time for acclimation to the heat. If your child is not use to exercising, starting now in this heat is not the best idea.

3. Take advantage of shade or other opportunities to cool off.

4.  Watch for signs of dehydration or overheating. The signs can include irritability, fatigue, being flush, or nausea and vomiting just to name a few.

5. Use sunscreen along with protective clothing like hats. Apply the sunscreen frequently. Most people do not apply enough so be generous with it.

Have fun and be safe

What is that yellow ball in the sky?

Published on May 22, 2009 in Safety. 0 Comments Tags: .
Can you believe sunshine is predicted for the Memorial Day weekend in the Seattle area?
 I had a friend tell me that their child asked her “why is it sunny”

With sunshine though brings the reminder to protect your child’s skin from the damaging rays of the sun. You and your child may be out of the sunscreen habit after seemingly unending months of grey days and rain, so here are some reminders:

I can’t state strongly enough how important sunscreen is to your child’s health. Just one bad burn sunburn as a child can increase the chance of skin cancer later in life. It is estimated that at least 50 percent of your child’s lifetime sun exposure occurs before 18 years of age. As a parent, this is your opportunity to make a difference with your child’s skin health and to instill good habits.

Protecting your child’s skin from sun damage is best accomplished by taking advantage using sunscreens and sunscreen products, and using them correctly. It is also important to try to limit sun exposure during peak intensity period of the day, typically late morning until mid afternoon.

  • Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater
  • Apply sunscreen every 90 minutes.
  • Reapply after going in the water, even if the product states it is waterproof.
  • Apply sunscreen all over, even if your child will remain clothed; everyday clothing itself does not offer enough protection from the sun. The average t-shirt offers an SPF of 4.
  • Look into clothing that has a high SPF. For example, there are shirts and bathing suits that can offer good protection.
  • Make sure your child wears a hat and sunglasses.

If your child is going to a friend’s house, make sure your child knows he or she needs to reapply the sunscreen. Enlist other adults in reminding your child.

Don’t be fooled by cloud cover. The sun’s damaging rays can still get through or the clouds could move out suddenly.

One last thing, check your sunscreen bottle for an expiration date — toss it out if it is expired or if you have had it over a year. Sunscreen can break down over time and loose its effectiveness.

So be safe and enjoy the great outdoors this weekend.