Summer Sun Dangerous For Skin

When the sun sizzles down during Missouri’s hottest summer days, sometimes you can almost feel your skin burning. Even if you can’t see or feel a sunburn, the sun can still damage your skin.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It kills more than 7,000 Americans each year and often strikes people who suffer sunburns, especially during childhood. In fact, 80 percent of a person’s sun exposure occurs before they turn 21 years old. Long-term sun exposure is a key factor in the development of skin cancer, so it’s very important to protect children from sunburn.

“The best way to avoid sun damage is to protect the skin and eyes,” said Paige Behm, administrator at McDonald County Health Department. “Use sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection and an SPF that is appropriate for the level of sun exposure.”

Behm recommends using at least SPF 15 but said SPF 50 is better for children.

She adds, “Children should be kept out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, usually from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or should stay in the shade.”

Kids should wear a hat, cotton clothing with a tight weave, and sunglasses that block 99-100 percent of both UVB and UVA rays. They should also use sunscreen, even when it is cloudy outside, 30 minutes before they go out to play. It should be reapplied every two hours or after swimming.

“Using sunscreen regularly can reduce a child’s risk of skin cancer by almost 78 percent,” said Behm. “Babies should also be protected from the sun since their skin is thinner and burns more easily than an older child’s skin does.”

Behm recommends babies under six months old be kept out of direct sunlight.

“Often we see tiny babies outdoors in the summer with just a diaper on,” said Behm. “Even when the temperature is hot, babies still need to wear light, cool clothing to protect their skin from sunburn.”

She suggests infants be dressed in a hat and lightweight clothing that covers their arms and legs if they will be spending time outdoors. She also recommends babies be kept in the shade.

Learn more at www. mcdonaldcountyhealth.com or by calling 417-223-7122.

“Using sunscreen regularly can reduce a child’s risk of skin cancer by almost 78 percent. Babies should also be protected from the sun since their skin is thinner and burns more easily than an older child’s skin does.”

Paige Behm McDonald County Health Department.