Sun Protection Clothing For Children

Days spent in the sun are one of a child's great joys--and children get an estimated 50 to 80 percent of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of 18, according to KidsHealth. Because this sun exposure can later lead to sun damage, it's important to protect your child using sun-protective clothing and sunscreen.

Significance

Two kinds of rays from the sun reach the Earth's surface: ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B. Ultraviolet A rays are responsible for skin aging and tanning. Ultraviolet B rays cause sunburn and are linked with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Because most ultraviolet B radiation is rendered before age 20, early protection against ultraviolet rays is important.

Equipment

Protective clothing can act as an additional form of sun protection to enhance sunscreen's ability to prevent sunburn. A hat with a 4-inch brim is preferred over a baseball hat because the brimmed hat protects the ears and neck, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tightly woven clothing, such as a t-shirt, can block some of the sun's rays, but blocks less than a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15. Wrap-around sunglasses that protect against ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays also are beneficial to protect the eyes.

Prevention/Solution

When your child is exposed to the sun, bring sun-protective clothing in addition to a broad-spectrum sunscreen. KidsHealth recommends putting your hand on the inside of the clothing. If you can see through to your hand, the clothing does not offer sufficient protection. While the best protection is to wear a hat, long-sleeve shirt and pants, this may not be realistic for your child and could cause him to overheat. Determine the appropriate amount of clothing based on the outside temperature. Also keep in mind that babies under six months of age should not wear sunscreen--keeping them covered with hats, shirts and pants is vital, according to KidsHealth.

Considerations

In addition to playing outdoors under your supervision, your child also may require protective clothing while at school. Ensure your child has the appropriate protective gear by asking her teacher if you can send sun-protective clothing to keep on hand. Sun Safety for Kids recommends sending a "playshirt" that has sleeves and a collar large enough to fit over what she is already wearing. The shirt should be made of a lightweight material--this helps prevent your child from getting too hot.

Warning

Children can experience sunburns while wearing protective clothing. Prevent this by always putting sunscreen on your child in addition to clothing he is wearing. Frequent re-application may be necessary if your child is swimming. Look for other ways to take shade as well: a beach umbrella or tree can help. If you observe your child's skin beginning to look pink, remove him from the sun immediately.