Pediatrics

Sun protection for children

What is sun protection for children?

With children and babies in particular, complete sun protection should be ensured. Your skin has little or no protection from the sun's rays and is particularly sensitive to damage.

Therefore, sun protection for children means particularly intensive protection that meets the highest requirements and should be tailored to all activities, such as bathing or sitting in a stroller or car.

also read: This is how you can prevent sunburn

Why do children and babies need special sun protection?

Children and babies need particularly good sun protection because their body's defenses against damage from the sun are not yet fully developed. In the first few years of life, for example, the skin does not produce enough pigments to protect against radiation. In addition, it still lacks the ability to adequately repair any damage that has occurred.

Over the years, such damage can lead to skin cancer in babies and children. In addition, children in particular spend a lot of time outside in the sun and are therefore exposed to it longer than most adults.

For these reasons, children and babies should only stay outside for a very short time without sun protection or protect themselves from radiation and thus prevent damage.

What options are there for sun protection?

In the first year of life an infant should, if possible, not be exposed to direct sunlight. The child should always get a shady place. Umbrellas or hoods can also provide good sun protection and protect the child from overheating. Sunscreens such as creams and lotions should, if possible, not be used in the first year of life, as they put unnecessary strain on the sensitive baby skin.

Later, in preschool age, it still applies that the blazing sun is to be avoided. The most effective protection, of course in addition to shady places, is sun-friendly clothing that best shields the skin "from head to toe". It is therefore advisable to wear a cap or hat that is large enough to protect the face and, ideally, cover the neck.

The child's clothing should be loose and cover as much skin as possible. Long-sleeved T-shirts and pants are ideal. It is important to ensure that not every material offers sufficient protection. Modern clothing, specially made for this purpose, contains a particularly high level of protection thanks to special weaving technology, which is marked with the “UV Standard 801” label. Make sure you have at least 30 sun protection for your child. The feet should be largely covered by light summer shoes.

In addition to clothing, all parts of the body that are not adequately covered should be creamed with a sunscreen lotion that meets the highest possible requirements. Children's eyes should also be protected. When staying in the snow or on the water, we recommend wearing sunglasses with a UV filter in addition to a hat.

This could be of interest to you: Baby skin care

What to do if my child / baby is sunburned?

If, in spite of everything, the child's skin is sunburned, it should be treated by a doctor. In general, moist compresses and cooling gels on the skin can help and reduce pain. In addition, a cortisone ointment should be applied in the case of a slight sunburn without much expansion.

Severe fires or a large spread, on the other hand, require the administration of painkillers, which also fight the inflammation. Diclofenac, for example, is used for this.

In addition, the cold compresses should contain antiseptic additives in the case of severe burns, i.e. agents that counteract the development of an infection. The injured skin is often prone to bacterial infections, which pose an additional risk.

Depending on the condition of the child, it may have to be admitted to the hospital, as considerable amounts of fluid can be lost through the wound and a fever can result. These complications can best be counteracted in the hospital.

Read more about this under: Sunburn in the baby
Sunburn in children - what must be done urgently?

What do I have to consider when using sunscreen?

The sun cream provides additional protection from the sun and is therefore not a substitute for protective clothing and the shade. Special sunscreens for children should be used as these are less likely to dry out the skin than products made for adults.

The sun cream should be applied generously in sufficient quantities 30 minutes before contact with the sun and have a protection factor of at least 20.

When choosing the product, it is also important that the cream protects against both UV-A and UV-B. It should be applied repeatedly for longer stays in the open, as a considerable amount is lost over time through sweating and abrasion.The duration of protection, which is indicated by the sun protection factor, is not extended by this. When bathing in the sea or in a swimming pool, a waterproof protective product is recommended.

A better overview of the topic: UV radiation

What swimwear does my child need?

Sufficient sun protection should be ensured, especially when bathing in the sea or in the outdoor pool. The water reflects a large part of the sun's rays, so that the radiation above the water increases significantly.

For this reason, there are specially made swimwear that offer a high level of protection from the sun and usually have long arms and legs. In addition, bathing shoes that are firmly attached to the foot can protect against the sun and sharp-edged stones, etc. In this way, the child is protected from the sun as well as possible while they are bathing and playing in the water.

In addition, sunglasses and creaming with waterproof sunscreen for children are recommended to ensure comprehensive radiation protection.

How should the head be covered?

A protective headgear is an excellent protection against solar radiation as well as against heat. Care should be taken when buying that the fabric is as sunproof as possible. The marking "UV-Standard 801" on the garment provides information about the protection factor, which should be at least 30. It is also advantageous if the headgear also provides shade for the face by means of a sun visor.

There are also caps that protect the neck and shoulders from too much radiation by sewing a sun-proof cloth to the back that is intended for this purpose.

Children’s eyes should also be protected with sunglasses, especially when they are in the snow or by the water.

Find out all about the topic here: Sunburn in the child.

What sun protection is there for the stroller?

As a place where babies and toddlers are particularly frequent while they are outside, the stroller should offer the children particularly good protection from the sun. To ensure this, there are many ways to equip the car.

Matching umbrellas, cloths and canopies can often be easily fitted to the car. The manufacturer of the stroller and a specialist in a shop for children's and infant accessories usually offer precise information.

In the end, it's about giving the child a shady place and still not generating heat build-up under the hood or umbrella.

What sun protection is there for the car?

In the car, too, the child or baby should be protected from direct sunlight, also so that they do not overheat. Panels and screens that are made for this purpose are particularly suitable, as they can usually be anchored in the window. Here, too, the car manufacturers, but also the employees of children's and infant accessory stores, offer comments and information in order to find the best possible solution.