With the school year ending and summer-time beginning, children will spend most of their day playing outside in the sun, and they could get sunburned. It’s also the time of the year when families start traveling to the beach, to the lake, or to the mountains. It is important to stay safe while being outside!
Remember these tips to keep your skin and your children’s skin safe and healthy this summer!
- Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going outside.
- Re-apply sunscreen every 90 minutes to 2 hours, while you are outside.
- Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Seek shade during the prime hours of the sun, from 10 am to 4 pm.
- Stay hydrated with water or electrolyte-containing drinks.
- Wear a wide-brim hat to keep the sun’s rays off your face and shoulders.
- Wear a long-sleeved shirt to cover your arms and shoulders.
- Find a fun, but safe, pair of sunglasses to wear this summer.
- Find some shade — from a tree, umbrella, or porch — while outside.
- Remember to apply sunscreen – even on a cloudy day. The sun’s rays can come through the clouds.
What should I do if myself or my child gets sunburned?
- Take a cool bath.
- Apply Aloe Vera Gel to the sunburn.
- Take an anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen, Tylenol) medicine to ease pain and itching.
- Apply moisturizing cream to the sunburned skin to re-hydrate skin.
- If the sunburn develops blisters, contact your doctor.
Make this summer the best one by being healthy and safe!
For more tips and information, visit the National Council on Skin Prevention Website.
Follow the Johns Hopkins Pediatric Injury Prevention Program on Twitter @JHCCTraumaBurn.
By: Beatrice Brathwaite, Senior Injury Prevention Coordinator
Creason Schafer, Community Outreach Specialist
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
