Sunscreen/Heat Safety

The use of sunscreen has been in the media lately due to new FDA regulations on the way these products are advertised and sold to us as consumers. There are also some misconceptions with the use of sunscreen in certain age groups that requires some clarification. Below is some general information about the use of sunscreen and sun/heat safety.

THE NEW FDA REGULATIONS
When choosing a sunscreen for you or your family members, the most effective products for skin protection are those that protect from both UVA and UVB rays now coined "broad spectrum" by the FDA. Historically, we had the tendency to purchase products with a certain SPF, but SPF is only reflective of the protection against UVB rays.  The current recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics for children is an SPF of 15 or greater. The higher the SPF the more protection from UVB rays you have.

With the changes from the FDA, there will be a new rating system for the UVA protection within sunscreen. The rating system is as follows:
1 star-lowest UVA protection
2 stars-medium UVA protection
3 stars-high UVA protection
4 starts-highest UVA protection

The new FDA regulations provides us the consumers with more information about the true reliability of the products we are purchasing. Don't forget to look at both of these elements when choosing products for your children.

THE USE OF SUNSCREEN IN INFANTS 6 MONTHS AND YOUNGER
The use of sunscreen in infants is a major point of misconception amongst the general public. There was a time in the 90's in which sunscreen was not recommended by the AAP in infants less than 6 months of age, however in 1999 the AAP changed its position statement to reflect the following:

Infants age 6 months or less do not handle heat effectively. Excessive heat in the this age group (and I would argue in older children as well) leads to "heat sickness" in which you might notice your child is flaccid or floppy in muscle tone, not as responsive as usual, high body temperature, all of which can lead to dehydration and death quickly in an infant. Therefore, it is not recommended that an infant 6 months or younger be in the heat or direct sunlight long enough to require sunscreen.

In the times when avoiding the direct sun or heat is unavoidable, the infant should be covered with loose clothing to as much of their bodies as possible, a hat with a wide brim should be worn, and sunglasses utilized to avoid damage the retina of their eyes. The remaining parts of their bodies which are exposed should be covered with a layer of sunscreen. No specific SPF is recommended for infants by the AAP, however most "baby" sunscreens come in at least 50 SPF.

It is also important to monitor your infant in the heat and sun. Breastfed babies need to nurse more frequently and bottle fed babies need to have additional bottles to prevent dehydration. Monitor how many wet diapers or urinations your child is having and take breaks frequently!

HOW TO USE SUNSCREEN
I know I know.....we all know how to rub sunscreen onto skin..... So bare with me here!
You should apply sunscreen AT LEAST 30 minutes prior to going into the sun in order for it to absorb to the layer of the skin where it is effective. In addition, it should be reapplied at least every 2 hours while out in the sun. The theory of less is more does not apply here......apply, reapply, and reapply, and reapply.  Always avoid contact with sunscreen to the eyes.

There is a great product on the market now that can help us parents avoid getting sunscreen in the eyes of our wiggly little ones. The sunscreen stick comes in both a "baby" and a "kids". Banana Boat and Neutrogena both make these products, as I am sure others do as well. It is essentially a cap stick consistency for the face and ears that is more easily applied.