Sun Protection

Practicalities Health Sun Protection What to Do 

• Provide loose clothes in cotton or similar, in close weave in close weave. You can check the fabric by holding it to the light and if it is stretched once on, the protection is diminished. According to some reports the average t-shirt offers no more than SPF 6-9 and half of that if wet when the weight of water makes the fibres stretch. Synthetic fabrics can be more closely woven so may offer better protection. Look for one of the new breathable ones to prevent sweatiness. Note however that standard clothing apparently doesn't protect against deeper-penetrating UVB rays, though darker/stronger colours (even pink or yellow) are better for this because the dye absorbs some UV rays. The worst colours are off-white and very pale colours because they lack even the brightening agents used in pure white which both reflect and absorb UV rays. [Products]



• Provide hats with wide brims which don't fall off. Baseball caps are not recommended by the National Radiological Protection Board. Instead it suggests a hat which covers both the ears and back of the neck with either flaps or a broad brim (up to four inches for a near adult size child). Get young children used to wearing these before you go. However, note that sunhats made for children do not always protect against UV rays because made with materials that do not offer adequate protection.



• Stay out of the sun, remembering that only around half of UV rays are estimated to come directly from the sun. Sand is judged to reflect 20-30%, water 100%, even grass reflects 4%. Intensity increases with altitude so you will need more care in the mountains. It is worth remembering that on average children spend 50% more time in the sun than do adults a particular issue with semi-permanently outdoor holidays such as cycling, walking and camping.



• Keep babies of under 12 months out of the sun completely.



• Use a cream offering good protection from both UVA and UVB rays. However, note that increasingly research indicates that these, even when applied properly, do not prevent dangerous changes in the skin's make-up. The reason is that they are less effective at blocking UVA rays and the UVA protection, when it does exist, does not last as long as the more obvious UVB protection which prevents burning.



• Also take a barrier lip salve as standard creams may not be suitable for use on the lips because of the likelihood of ingestion (though anything placed on a child or baby's skin is likely to be absorbed to a degree - an argument against using creams as the main protection).



• Expose very slowly, remembering to include time relevant spent in the car, under cloud, walking around as well as say on the beach. Include also time spent queuing, for example for theme park rides, and when swimming. It takes three days before even an adult body starts to produce the melanin which creates a tan and The National Radiological Protection Board reports that a tan offers no more protection than a sunscreen of SPF 2-4.



• Minimise exposure between 11am and 3pm (when your shadow is shortest). Midday avoidance is particularly important the nearer you are to the equator. However, note that the dangerous UVA rays vary much less in power throughout the day and retain 60-90% of their strength in early morning and evening lights.



• Take particular care when there is light cloud or a breeze. You may not feel it until it is too late. Even on cloudy days it is possible to burn in as little as 15 minutes as up to 80% of ultraviolet rays are reported to pass through light cloud, haze and fog.



• Remember that you can also burn in shallow water so whatever protection you use needs to work even in water. (UV rays are reported to penetrate water to 10 metres when the sun is overhead.)



• In the case of babies in buggies, make sure the sunshade is adequate, ideally avoiding a parasol which is generally not, and keep moving the buggy as the sun moves round.



• Take particular care with children with fair skin.

Extra Precautions

• Some experts recommend swimming in teeshirts because wet skin is apparently more easily penetrated by UV rays. Alternatively, as these are likely to be chilly on windy days, see below for suppliers of Lycra UV safe clothing.



• If relying on a standard buggy sun shade consider lining it as the fabric is unlikely to offer much serious sun protection.



• Bright sunlight can hurt the eyes and that includes in snow. Look for glasses with UVA and UVB filters as only these provide proper protection against the sun. For more information see the Shades of Summer leaflet from the NRPB. For the best protection look on the label for the British Standard BS2724: 1987.



• ? Darker skins have less of a problem with sunburn though even black skin can burn. /LI>
  
• polymorphic light eruption (PLE or PMLE), apparently often misdiagnosed as prickly heat, affects 15% of all the UK population. It is an allergy-like condition caused by a reaction UV rays. A UV sunscreen should help though for some sufferers staying out of the sun appears more effective. Often the rash only appears on skin which is not generally exposed to the sun, so not on the face for example.



• Avoid also using any other perfumed products such as soap, as the perfume can increase skin sensitivity to sun.



• There is some research showing that a poor diet high in fats and process foods may predispose to skin cancer so it's another good reason to give your children plenty of fresh and wholefoods.