Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Louise Pennington: Teenage Pregnancy, Patriarchal Hypocrisy and…
'Rules Of Engagement' 100th Episode Series Finale
Limit Sun Exposure in Children, Keep Teens Out of Tanning Booths, Report Advises
Filed under: Health
Lifelong sun protection should begin at an early age. Credit: Getty
Yes, you're always sure everyone in the family is slathered in sunscreen when you go to the beach or the pool, but sorry, Mom. That may not be enough to protect your kids from the hazards of overexposure to the sun.A policy statement released today by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers guidance to parents and pediatricians on skin cancer prevention and safe sun exposure practices, recommending that lifelong sun protection begin at an early age.
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) causes the three major forms of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and cutaneous malignant melanoma. But even though public health campaigns work to educate the public about the risk of developing skin cancer, many people continue to subject themselves to harmful UVR.
And many teens and young adults continue to increase their exposure to UVR by going to tanning salons, according to the statement.
As a result, rates of skin cancer -- including melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer -- continue to rise, even in younger people, the statement says.
The AAP recommends pediatricians advise parents about UVR exposure during check-ups and other health care visits. The statement says advice about UVR exposure is important for all children -- especially those at high risk of developing skin cancer, such as children with light skin, freckles and a family history of melanoma.
Specific recommendations include:
- Avoid sunburning and suntanning.
- Wear clothing and hats with brims.
- Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher whenever a child or adolescent might sunburn.
- Sunscreen should be applied every two hours and after swimming, sweating or drying off with a towel.
- Encourage outdoor activity, but limit exposure during midday, when the sun is at its peak (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
- Be especially cautious around sand, snow and water.
- Wear sunglasses when playing sports, walking, driving or doing anything in the sun.
- Keep infants younger than 6 months of age out of direct sunlight and cover them with appropriate protective clothing and hats.
- Include children in the sun protection discussion beginning at 9 or 10 years of age, to encourage children to take responsibility for limiting exposure and develop lifelong safe habits.
- Discourage teenagers from visiting tanning salons.
Want to get the latest ParentDish news and advice? Sign up for our newsletter!
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Tips to Protect Your Child from The Sun
In this edition of HER Health Minute, Michelle shares some tips for parents on how to protect their children and themselves from over exposure to the sun.
-
How to Protect Your Child from Sunburn
Sun protection is a big concern for parents. Two blistering sunburns as a kid doubles your risk of melanoma. And no one wants to be the parent with the lobster kid! Put on the sunscreen before you head out to the pool and don't forget to reapply every 2 hours. From umbrellas to sunshades to protective clothes, it's important to manage your child's sun exposure. What are some of your best sun tips?
-
Preventing Melanoma and Sun Exposure
In this video, Tim Turnham discusses how best to prevent Melanoma especially when considering sun exposure.
-
Can Sun Exposure Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer
Dr. Marc Sorenson shares if sun exposure in young women canc reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
2-28-2011 @ 1:25PM
Alicia said..."Limit exposure during midday...(10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)" or, you know, all friggin' day. There's a point where you acknowledge risks; decrease exposure by not going to tanning salons, etc. But seriously, if it means staying indoors all day, I'll risk cancer rather than exist in fear of living. I watched my grandfather die of lung cancer and as horrible as that was, I think dying knowing I never DID anything exciting or worthwhile because I might get hurt or sick or die before I was 90 would be more painful than his illness.
Reply
2-28-2011 @ 2:57PM
Diane said...LOL--I thought the same thing. So, instead of going outside and playing, have your kids sit inside, play video games and eat chips and becom obese. Perfect. And "Use sunscreen when a child or adolescent might sunburn"---well, isn't that ALL THE TIME if you're out in the sun??? The bottom line is that you have to use "reasonable caution" with this--use sunscreen every day, wear as much clothing as you are able to in the bright sun, and when the sunscreen washes off, put it back on. You obvioulsy can't wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt, a hat and closed shoes when it is 95 degrees outside--so, just slather on sunscreen!! Here's a great solution---how about something called a BEACH UMBRELLA!! Listen, you can only do what you can do. If you tell your teenagers to put sunscreen on and they leave at 11am and don't come home until 6pm, what are you supposed to do? Even with sunscreen, you get sun. Unless you put on a full body stocking, you're going to get some rays. And, to be quite honest, rays are nice!! Should you go out and slop baby oil all over your body? Of course not. Just use some sense. If you start to go crazy over it, then peole around you (including your kids) are going to think you're losing it! Use 45+ sunscreen, put it on before you leave the house, re-apply it every few hours, and you'll be fine. One thing they don't mention is to be VERY careful with your lips--I got a horrible sunburn on my lips in Pensacola Beach once. Use lip block with 15+ SPF, to protect your lips. That's my advice.......LOL
2-28-2011 @ 3:35PM
Simzee said...Pretty soon it'll be againsy the law for kids to go to tannins salons. This'll be another law to throw you in JAIL.
2-28-2011 @ 4:08PM
cbyrd31777 said...I think everyone Http://www.treatingskincancer.com should know this by now.
2-28-2011 @ 2:34PM
Dave said...So, basically, never go outside unless it's night? I agree with Alicia. It's one thing to take basic precautions, but there is a such thing as going overboard. I have an idea, why don't we send nukes into the sun and destroy the sun.....then we'll never have to worry about the "evil" sun again! After all, who needs the sun anyways?
P.S. (Vitamin D is evil) ;)
Reply
2-28-2011 @ 3:32PM
mike hylton said...i was born in 50 ,all thru the 50s 60s 70s i and everyone i knew, all tried to see how tan we could get, im/was a blond am fair skinned, i use to burn and peel burn and peel, funny thing according to that article i should be dead, never had any sign of skin cancer and the handful of people i still know from those days dont have it either, we were either awful tough/imune /or these studies making the parents of today afraid to let the sun shine on their kids is flawed,,, i just dont see it,,,
Reply
2-28-2011 @ 3:33PM
dougalcandy said...Totally agree with you all!!! Keeping kids inside virtually all day during the summer? I am of the "no TV during the day, go outside" mentality. We have to live our lives. And yes, let's send our kids out to play in the summer in longs sleeves, long pants, hats and sneakers. Then when they pass out from heat exhaustion, we can be charged with child abuse!
Reply