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Sunny summer days are wonderful, but it’s essential to take precautions, particularly when it comes to protecting your children’s skin and ensuring they stay well-hydrated. Getting moderate daily sun exposure is essential for the production of Vitamin D, plays a significant role in regulating sleep patterns by influencing the body’s circadian rhythm, and can have a positive impact on your mood. However, too much sun can pose serious health risks if proper precautions are not taken.

To help you keep your kids safe this summer, we sat down with Dr. Sarraa Aljalily, one of our pediatricians who has specialized knowledge in dermatology. Dr. Aljalily shares her advice on sun protection, recognizing and treating sunburn, understanding heat-related illnesses, and maintaining proper hydration. Read on for essential tips and strategies for a safe, fun, and worry-free summer season!

What kind of sunscreen should parents use, and how often should they apply it?
When selecting sunscreen, choose a broad-spectrum formula that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Over-the-counter mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are recommended, as they are less likely to cause skin irritation. The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) should be at least 15, but for optimal protection, SPF 30 to 50 is ideal. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside generously to all exposed skin, even on cloudy days, as UV rays can penetrate through clouds. Reapply every two hours, and more frequently if your child is swimming or sweating. For babies younger than six months, it’s best to keep them out of direct sunlight, using shade, a canopy on the stroller, and protective clothing. A small amount of sunscreen can be applied to limited areas such as the face and back of the hands.

Aside from sunscreen, how can parents protect kids from the sun’s rays?
Clothing plays a crucial role. Dress your kids in cool, comfortable clothing made of lightweight cotton. Long sleeves and pants are preferable, but ensure they are breathable to prevent overheating. Choose clothes with a tight weave, as these provide better protection against UV rays compared to looser weaves. Additionally, a hat with a brim of at least three inches will provide shade for the face, neck, and ears. When possible, limit outdoor activities between 10AM and 4PM when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Ensure that children have access to shaded areas during outdoor play, whether it be natural shade from trees, or man-made shade from umbrellas or canopies.

How can parents recognize and treat sunburn in their child?
In babies, sunburn may present as redness and fussiness, while in toddlers, it can range from redness and warmth of the skin to swelling, painful blisters, dizziness, and fatigue. If your child gets sunburned, keep them hydrated and cool them down immediately. Use a cool cloth or give them a cool bath to soothe the skin. Remove any tight clothing that might irritate the burn and apply a gentle moisturizer, with ingredients like aloe vera or Vaseline, to the affected areas.
For mild sunburn, these measures are usually sufficient. However, if the sunburn covers a large area, or if your child experiences symptoms like headache, fever, chills, or signs of dehydration (such as reduced urination or extreme thirst), seek medical attention promptly.

How can adolescents and teens protect themselves from the sun?
Adolescents and teens should be encouraged to adopt sun protection habits as part of their daily routine. This includes applying sunscreen every day, even when it’s cloudy or they’re not planning to spend much time outside. Encourage them to wear hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing when they are outdoors, especially during peak sun hours.

It’s important to educate them about the risks of tanning, both outdoors and in tanning beds, as these can significantly increase the risk of skin cancer. Teens should also be taught how to perform self-exams to check for any new or changing moles or spots that could indicate skin damage or early signs of skin cancer, and bring them up at their doctor’s visits. Long-term sun exposure without proper protection can increase the risk of skin damage and skin cancer, so it’s important to monitor any changes in your child’s skin and discuss them with your pediatrician.

How can parents differentiate between heat exhaustion and heat stroke in young children?
Differentiating between heat exhaustion and heat stroke is essential, as heat stroke is a medical emergency.

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body’s core temperature remains equal to or below 40°C (104°F). Symptoms include pale, clammy, or cool skin, heavy sweating, mild to moderate dehydration, increased thirst, elevated temperature, normal or slightly elevated heart rate, vomiting, headache, fatigue, and weakness. The child’s mental status will usually be normal, though they may experience dizziness or mild confusion, which should normalize within 30 minutes of cooling down. If you suspect heat exhaustion is occuring, your child should stop moving around or exercising immediately, move to a cooler environment, remove or loosen excess clothing, cool down in a bath, use cold compresses, and give them salt-containing liquid like sports drinks, and monitor their symptoms.

Heat stroke occurs when the body’s core temperature exceeds 40-40.5°C (104-105°F). It is characterized by dry skin, although sweating can sometimes occur, especially in cases of exertional heat stroke. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, impaired kidney and heart function, and liver failure. Mental status is severely affected, often presenting as confusion, delirium, seizures, ataxia, slurred speech, or even coma. Rapid breathing, high heart rate, low blood pressure, and moderate to severe dehydration are common.

What should I do if my child shows signs of heat stroke?
If your child shows signs of heat stroke, it’s crucial to act quickly. Move them to a cooler environment and remove excess clothing. Use cool, not cold, water to lower their body temperature by applying wet cloths or giving them a cool bath. “Ensure they drink fluids to stay hydrated, but avoid sugary or caffeinated beverages. If your child shows severe symptoms like confusion, seizures, or unconsciousness, seek emergency medical help immediately, as rapid cooling and monitoring of vital signs are crucial within the first 30 minutes of symptom onset.

Heat stroke can be life-threatening, and although it is rare in babies and toddlers, it is the third major cause of death in teenagers, particularly those with lower physical fitness, lack of acclimatization, large muscle mass, or obesity. Excessive physical exertion without proper hydration also contributes to the risk. Preventive measures include keeping the child hydrated, wearing light clothing, and avoiding strenuous activity during peak heat hours.

How should I ensure my child stays hydrated?
Hydration is vital, especially during hot weather. Infants should be hydrated primarily with breast milk or formula. Babies under six months don’t need additional water. For babies starting solids (around 4-6 months), small sips of water can be given with meals. Older children (1-2 years) should drink about 3-4 cups of water a day, and this amount increases with age. Signs of dehydration in children include sunken eyes, dry mouth, reduced urination, irritability, and lethargy. Severe dehydration may present as no tears when crying, cold or bluish extremities, and a parched mouth. In such cases, immediate medical attention is necessary.