How to protect kids from the health risk that can harm them now and as adults

(BPT) – Many common childhood ills and ailments are fleeting discomforts that will have no effect on children’s health when they reach adulthood. A sunburn isn’t one of them. In fact, five or more blistering sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 increases melanoma risks by 80 percent, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Around one in every five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives, and every hour one person dies of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, according to the AAD.

‘Fortunately, most skin cancers, including melanoma, are highly curable if detected early and treated properly,’ says Dr. Helen Shin, section chief of pediatric dermatology at The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital of Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey. ‘It’s vital for parents to take aggressive steps to protect their children from sun damage throughout the year, not just during summer months.’

Dr. Shin offers parents some guidance on staying sun safe year round:

* Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the most preventable risk factor for all forms of skin cancer, including melanoma, so it’s important to apply a broad-spectrum, sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or higher to all exposed skin. The SPF rating indicates how long it will take for exposed skin to redden in the sun when a person wears sunscreen versus how long before redness would occur without protection. So if a sunscreen has an SPF of 30, skin will take 30 times longer to grow red in the sun.

* Shield skin from both UVA and UVB rays using a broad spectrum sunscreen. Avoiding UV exposure could prevent more than 3 million cases of skin cancer annually, the AAD says.

* Apply sunscreen about 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure, to allow skin to absorb the sunscreen’s protective qualities. Cover every inch of exposed skin, including hands and feet, ears and the back of the neck with a generous amount of sunscreen. Reapply every two hours for as long as you’re out in the sun; more frequently if you’ve been swimming or sweating a lot.

* The Food and Drug Administration is regulating sunscreens so that the SPF limit is 50-plus. It’s important to note that the use of sunscreen sprays is not recommended for children. A report from the FDA warned that children may breathe in the contents of the sunscreen as it’s sprayed into the air, and those contents may be harmful.

* If possible, keep kids indoors during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). When playing outdoors, stay in the shade as much as possible and dress them in protective clothing – long sleeves and long pants in a lightweight material.

* Don’t forget to protect children’s eyes, which are also at risk from UV radiation. Even small amounts of exposure over many years can increase a child’s risk of one day developing cataracts, and may damage the retina, according to the American Optometric Association (AOA). Encourage children to wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB radiation. Gray lenses will help with proper color recognition, the AOA says.

Finally, Shin advises, ‘Set a safe example. Let your kids see you taking steps to protect your own skin from sun damage every day, and model responsible choices such as wearing sunscreen, foregoing tanning salons and performing regular self-exams to detect signs of skin cancer. Remember, skin cancer is highly curable when detected early and treated properly.’

For more useful health information, visit the homepage of Hackensack University Medical Center at www.hackensackumc.org.