The five keys to protect the skin of children in summer
This week will be practically open all the pools and many families will begin to enjoy, at last, the first rays of sun, which also means taking into account a series of precautions to take care of our health. Above all you have to protect the little ones from the sun. Dr. Virginia Sánchez, Head of Dermatology at Sanchinarro Hospital, explains what care and precautions we should apply with our children:
The skin of children has characteristics that differentiate it from the skin of the adult. Although it is a softer skin, it actually has a thinner outer layer of protection (corneal layer), so the probability of erosion, infection or sunburn is considerably greater than that of adults. The lack of hair also contributes to the fragility of the child's skin. Adults have a greater amount of cutaneous sebum and specific antibodies in the skin that protect them against external aggression, while the child's skin is much more exposed due to these deficiencies.
1. What are the basic care of the child's skin?
-The first and most important is the hygiene of the skin. Taking into account that the skin of the child has less natural defenses against infections, we should not neglect the daily bath. There is a false myth that recommends not to bathe children every day but this is not true. What is advisable is that the bath is short, with warm water and with soap "without soap" or "syndets" (without detergents). In this way, while we clean the skin, we hydrate it.
- Immediately after the bath and with the skin still wet, it is necessary to apply a moisturizing substance that can be in any texture: oil, lotion, milk or cream. It is not necessary to be specific for children but do not wear perfumes or substances other than those designed to moisturize the skin.
Avoid sun exposure. And this is fundamental because in childhood 50-80% of the solar exposure of a lifetime is received. Children's skin is more susceptible to sunburn and sunburns in childhood multiply the risk of melanoma by two. Healthy sun exposure habits up to age 18 significantly reduce the risk of skin cancer.
2. What are these healthy habits of infant solar exposure?
- Do not expose children to the sun from 12 to 16 in summer: Outside of these hours, remember that the best sun protection is clothing (the thicker and darker the more it protects).
There are differences between children with lighter skin and those with darker skin. The first ones should always use sunscreen, since with the rays that pass through the sun filters they have more than enough for their synthesis of vitamin D and the rest of the beneficial effects of the sun. Dark-skinned children may not use filters during the hours of lower intensity of solar radiation (before 10 o'clock in the morning and after 6 o'clock).
-The ideal filters for children are physical filters, since chemicals present greater risks of irritation and allergies. Newborns and children under one year old should not be exposed directly to the sun if the ultraviolet index is greater than 5. This is a useful and easily accessible measure on the internet that helps us decide the hours of sun exposure for our family ( always less than 5-6).
-The first solar rays of the season are the most dangerous for two reasons: because he caught us off guard, without a filter, without a hat etc ... and because the skin has not yet synthesized the melanin that will protect it later, the rest of the summer.
-We must clarify that the sun is the same in the school yard as on the beach, playing in the park with the sand or in the pool, running to the pilla-pilla or climbing the slide ...
-Put them always hat and sunglasses.
3. Should we protect them every day of the year?
In winter: if the child has clear skin it is advisable to put the filter in the morning or before going to the playground. If the skin is dark it is not so important.
In summer: you have to filter them all in the morning and half an hour before going to recess (especially at noon).
In Spain, the increase in the incidence of melanoma in the last 20 years has been 200% (more frequently in women). In the United States and Australia, the incidence is double and triple that in Spain respectively. Mortality from melanoma worldwide continues to rise ...
4. When to visit the dermatologist?
Children begin to develop moles and spots from four or five years. Although the risk of melanoma in childhood is very low, it is not non-existent, so it is convenient to review them once a year.
5. In addition to the protection with sun creams, are there other ways to have a healthy skin always?
The best care is to avoid sun exposure in the central hours of the day and especially in the summer months. The use of a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are habits that will help us keep our skin healthy and beautiful. In addition, cleaning and moisturizing the skin every day helps to maintain its protective lipid mantle in optimal conditions.
