Sun creams, recommendations of the pediatricians of the AEP

Summer is coming, the good weather is coming and we start spending many more hours in the sun. Both the mountain and the beach are ideal destinations for vacations with children and family where you have to take special care with the sun's effect on your skin. Although you have to protect the skin from solar radiation, especially in the case of children, throughout the year, even on cloudy days, the use of sunscreens to avoid the negative effects of the sun is, at this time of year, More necessary.

What creams to use and when to apply them?

The first thing to know is that there are two types of filters to protect children from sunlight. On the one hand there are physical or inorganic filters, which reflect the rays to avoid their effect on the skin. Second are the organic chemical filters that absorb radiation. The Association of Spanish Pediatrics, AEP, says that the latter can cause certain reactions in children and derive in dermatitis, so you have to be very sure that there is no type of allergy to these filters before using them.


On the other hand, you also have to know the protection factor necessary to use it in children. This indicator shows the number of times that the photoprotector increases the defense capacity of the skin against redness prior to a burn. The AEP recommends that at least a factor of 30 be used, number that should be increased based on the pallor of the child's skin or if it is the first time that he makes a prolonged exposure to the Sun throughout the year.

Regarding the way to use these protective sunscreens the AEP reminds that at the time of using it the skin should be dry and generous amounts should be applied in all areas of the body that will be exposed to the Sun. This application must be performed between 15 and 20 minutes before that the skin receives the sun's rays. It will have to be repeated every two hours since the sweat and water diminish its effect despite the fact that the container indicates that the product is resistant to water.


Which areas should be protected the most?

The AEP recommends Exercise caution in areas of the body that are more sensitive in the sunlight. That is: head, shoulders, neckline, ears, hands and insteps. This association also recalls the need to use sunscreen bars on the lips since this part of the body is often forgotten and is the most punished during the days when children are exposed to sunlight for long hours.

The AEP recalls that the fact that the day is cloudy does not exempt the use of sunscreen as the sun's rays pass through clouds. This association strongly discourages photoprotectors in children under six months since they should not be exposed to the Sun at this age. Pediatricians express that it is better to use physical measures such as the use of clothes, umbrellas and baskets to avoid sun damage and only use These creams if it is inevitable that the baby has to expose himself to the rays.


Recommendations of the Medicines Agency

Also the Spanish Agency of Medicine offers a series of points in relation to sun cream for both children and adults. Recommendations that will ensure that a day at the beach is as fun as planned:

1. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. No cream prevents 100% damage to the sun's rays so too long under this light can cause serious damage.

2. Do not expose yourself to the sun between 12 and 16 o'clock, time zone in which the rays are more damaging. Do not fall asleep under the sun

3. Each skin requires a type of sunscreen. You have to take into account the needs of each person since a basic cream may not be suitable for someone with skin problems.

4. Protectors last year expire and they will not work if they were employed. The properties of these creams have been reduced.

5. Be aware of possible spots, changes of colors or other mutations in the skin produced by exposure to the Sun. If any of them are detected, it is important to go to a specialist to know if there is to worry about.

Damián Montero

Video: Sunscreen - Boys Town Pediatrics


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