Although it's healthy for children to play outside, you must make sure that they're protected from the sun. A study published in the April 2000 "Journal of School Nursing" says that 80 percent of lifetime exposure to the sun occurs before the age of 21. Early skin damage can lead to premature aging and skin cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Protection doesn't just mean sunscreen on a child's nose. Your child should also put on a wide-brimmed hat, play in the shade and wear clothes that protect her skin. Apply sunscreen to any exposed area of skin.
Types
The Mayo Clinic says that solar lentigines, also known as age or liver spots, can appear on children who are often exposed to the sun without proper protection. These flat spots, typically larger than a freckle, appear on the shoulders, foreheads, hands and arms. They are indicators that a child has skin that is being damaged by the sun.
Sunburn is another classic sign of skin damage. Burns typically appear six to 12 hours after a child has been in the sun. Your child's skin may turn pink and feel warm. You can treat this condition at home with acetaminophen and cold compresses, according to HealthyChildren, the website for the American Academy of Pediatrics. In more severe cases, your child may have blisters, feel ill or suffer from chills and a headache. Contact your pediatrician if your child has a severe sunburn.
Time Frame
Children can burn in as little as 15 minutes on a sunny day. Children need protection throughout the day, though MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, says that protection is key between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is strongest.
Prevention/Solution
Use sunscreen daily to protect your child's skin. Apply 30 minutes before heading outside and reapply frequently, especially after swimming, as no sunscreen is completely waterproof. Look for products with a wide-spectrum of both UVA and UVB protection and a sun protection factor, SPF, of 15 or higher.
Misconceptions
Cloudy days don't mean you can forget the sunscreen. In fact, cloudy days often expose kids to even more potential for sun damage, as children may be outside longer on cooler days, according to HealthyChildren.
Warning
Babies under 6 months of age should never be in direct sunlight. Check with your pediatrician for recommendations after your baby is 6 months old. In some cases, you can dab sunscreen on a baby's hands and face.
