Sunlight and skin care
It is only the doctor who can determine exactly when a child is ready to go on vacation to the countryside and to the sea, as well as to visit the pool. The following general recommendations should be borne in mind:
- If the child has not yet turned a month, do not take it to the sea. Do not also take it out of the house if the temperature on the street exceeds + 30 ° C: this temperature difference is harmful to the child. But just keeping the child in the house is not enough: the bed should be placed in a cool, well-ventilated place where there are no drafts. - If the child is not yet 6 months old, it is better to avoid long trips (more than 5 hours), to carry the child to the sea is not recommended. He also should not stay in the sun for a long time: his skin is not yet ready for sunscreen, for children of this age they have a toxic effect. When choosing a destination, it is important to remember that snow, sand and seawater reflect sunlight, increasing the risk of burning the baby's skin. If you are going to the mountains, remember that at high altitudes above sea level you are less protected from exposure to sunlight.
- Do not forget that the reflected sun's rays cause burning on rest even among those who are under the umbrella, and from the high temperature of the air there can be a heat stroke. It is best to wait out the heat in the shade of trees where there is a cool wind. The skin of an infant at the age of 6 months to 4 years is very tender, it needs protection, since sunburn at this age can have serious long-term consequences (two or more episodes of sunburn before blisters in childhood significantly increase the likelihood of skin cancer), so It is required to take special measures:
- Limit the stay of infants in the sun during rest from 11am to 4pm from early spring until late summer. The same applies to staying in public gardens, on beaches, on terraces or just on the street.
- If your baby is constantly in the sun, he needs sunscreens appropriate to age, preferably recommended by a therapist or dermatologist. A layer of sunscreen should be applied half an hour before the child leaves the room, even if the sky is cloudy.
- If you have left last year's sunscreen, it is better to throw it away and buy a new one. As follows, close the bottle, protect it from heat and direct sunlight.
- If the infant has fresh scars, they should be protected from the sun during rest. Do not use perfume and lotions containing alcohol. If you are taking an infant for a walk in a stroller, you should lower the sun visor and put a panama on the child. Wear a child in light clothes of light tones, covering the legs and hands. Do not forget the panama that protects the ears, neck and face. Very bright sun harms the eyes, it is recommended to use sunglasses that protect your eyes from ultraviolet radiation (consult a doctor). Now we know what kind of pros and cons exist with a baby.