As the summer sun beckons your kiddos outdoors for fun-filled adventures, it’s essential to prioritize sun safety to shield their delicate skin from harmful UV rays.

Whether frolicking at the beach, exploring nature trails, or enjoying backyard playdates, getting burned is always a possibility.

Our AFC Urgent Care Louisville team offers some crucial tips to ensure your little ones stay safe and healthy under the sun.

Sunscreen Savvy: The Key to Effective Protection

Before stepping out into the sunshine, slathering on sunscreen is a non-negotiable step in safeguarding your child’s skin.

• Choose the right sunscreen: Opt for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to shield against both UVA and UVB rays.

• Apply generously and frequently: Cover all exposed skin areas with sunscreen at least 15 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating.

• Watch the sky: Did you know that you can burn even when it is cloudy outside? Because of this, it is crucial that you apply sunscreen to your child’s skin even if the sun isn’t beaming down.

Seek Shade: Finding Respite from Intense Rays

While outdoor play is essential for children’s development and enjoyment, it’s equally vital to seek shade when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.

• Plan outdoor activities wisely: Schedule outdoor playtime in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is less intense.

• Create shaded areas: Whether using umbrellas, canopies, or seeking refuge under trees, provide ample shaded spaces for children to take breaks from direct sunlight.

• Know your limits: We can all appreciate a warm and sunny day, but sometimes enough is enough! If you or your children are starting to feel lightheaded, really uncomfortable or dizzy, it is time to immediately find shelter. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are very real and very dangerous if your symptoms are ignored.

Importance of Protective Clothing and Accessories

In addition to sunscreen and seeking shade, dressing children in appropriate clothing and accessories can offer added protection against the sun’s harmful effects.

• Cover up with lightweight clothing: Dress your child in loose-fitting, lightweight clothing that covers arms and legs to minimize sun exposure.

• Don’t forget the accessories: Encourage your child to wear a wide-brimmed hat to shield their face, neck, and ears from the sun, along with sunglasses that offer UV protection to safeguard their eyes.

Summer is a time for children to explore, play, and create lasting memories outdoors. By prioritizing sun safety through diligent sunscreen application, seeking shade, and dressing children in protective clothing and accessories, you can ensure that their summer adventures are not only enjoyable but also safe and healthy.

Dealing with a particularly bad sunburn? Come see us at AFC Urgent Care Louisville today.