Protecting children from the sun: are clothes enough?

Updated on: Aucune révision

Yes for the body parts that are covered, but it is the combination of clothing, hat and sunscreen that provides the best protection.

The skin of babies and children is thinner and more sensitive than adults and burns more easily. Moreover, children are more at risk than adults to suffer from sunstroke or dehydration caused by the sun and heat.

TO PROTECT THE BABY

For babies that are younger than 6 months old, sunscreen can be applied in small amounts, avoiding eyes and mouth. However, it remains preferable not to expose them to the sun and instead protect them with clothing and a hat. We need to pay particular attention because even in the shade, the baby’s skin can be exposed to sunlight reflected on sand, water or snow.

TO PROTECT CHILDREN

From the outset, it is recommended not to expose children to the sun between 11 am and 16 pm (when the sun is at its strongest) and at all times, protect them with clothing, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Prefer sunscreen that is SPF 30 and over. It should be applied 20 minutes before the child goes out to play and several times again during the day. The nose, ears and the top of the feet should not be forgotten! Avoid only the eyes. For swimming, water-resistant sunscreen is preferable.

THE SUN AND VITAMIN D

The sun allows the skin to produce vitamin D. However, because of the protective measures taken against the sun and the various factors that influence the synthesis of vitamin D by the skin, it is important to use diet or supplementation to make sure we get all the vitamin D the body needs.

Références

Association canadienne de dermatologie. (2015). Prudence au soleil.

http://www.dermatology.ca/fr/programmes-et-ressources/ressources/prudence-au-soleil/#!/fr/programmes-et-ressources/ressources/prudence-au-soleil/proteger-votre-famille/

Tremblay, J-F. (2011). Les écrans solaires : mythes et réalités.

https://fmoq-legacy.s3.amazonaws.com/fr/Le%20Medecin%20du%20Quebec/Archives/2010%20-%202019/2011/MQ-10-2011/057-061DrTremblay1011.pdf

Webb, A.R., Engelsen, O. (2008). Ultraviolet exposure scenarios: risks of erythema from recommendations on cutaneous vitamin D synthesis. Adv Exp Med Biol, 624:72-85



 
Ressources

Extenso. (2014). La vitamine D durant les mois d’hiver : un supplément est-il nécessaire?



Naître et grandir. (2012). Soleil : comment bien protéger son enfant.



Société canadienne du cancer. (2015). Protection solaire pour les enfants.



 

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