Health & Safety

Any holiday, be it to the beach, the ski hill, or anywhere in between, should be sun safe... Parents have a responsibility to teach children to enjoy every family outing as a sun-safe experience, by example as well as by education.

While children are at the greatest risk of harm from UV radiation because their skin is thinner and more sensitive, (50% of ultraviolet (UV) exposure over a lifetime occurs by 20 years of age) and just one or two serious sunburns as a child double the risk of skin cancer, all family members need to practice sun safety. Limiting exposure to sunlight in children and teens may pay large dividends in preventing cancers later in life.

Safety precautions

• Sun safety needs to be practiced year round... when on a boat cruising the tropical north or swimming off an Australian beach... UV rays are more intense in higher altitudes so be particularly careful when skiing in Australia's high country... UV rays can penetrate clouds and while seeking shade does reduce the risk of direct exposure it does not protect you completely from sun damage as water, snow, sand and other factors can reflect the sun's UV rays even while sitting in the shade... Reflective surfaces can reflect up to 85% of the sun's damaging rays.
  
  
• Sun safety means using all sun safe tips together for maximum protection from the sun's harmful UV rays.
  
  
• Babies under one year of age or anyone using medication should stay out of direct sunlight. If you have any questions - check with your doctor... It is recommended that sunscreen not be used on babies under six months of age.
  
  
• Look for strollers that have a canopy and watch that you're babies feet are covered. Make sure when baby is sleeping they have complete protection from the sun.
  
  
• Protect or limit sun exposure between 10am and 4 pm, when the UV rays are strongest - Teach children to use their shadow as a guide - No shadow, seek shade.
  
  
• Use the index - the UV Index that is. It indicates the intensity of UV rays that will cause skin damage over a period of time to unprotected skin - 1 is the lowest level and 10 is highest. A low index means it may take more than an hour for skin to burn, while a high level means it may take less than 15 minutes to burn.
  
  
• Ensure children wear hats with wide brims - at least 10 cm or 4 inches. Any hat is better than none at all - baseball caps worn brim forward at least offer some protection to the face and eyes. A handkerchief can be tucked under the back and side of hat to cover neck and ears.
  
  
• Clothes that are tightly woven can block out all the sun's rays and long sleeved clothing, with hoods can offer great protection.
  
  
• Sunglasses that afford 100% UV protection (make sure that your sunglasses have this on the label), will protect your eyes. UV rays can cause serious damage to your eyes - wear them whenever possible outdoors.
  
  
• Watch for dehydration and sunstroke in children - have them drink plenty of fluids during the day.

Sunscreen tips

The proper use of sunscreen reduces the risk of serious skin damage by providing some protection to the skin if it is used correctly and in conjunction with the sun safety tips.

• Look for a broad spectrum sunscreen - for children, 30 SPF or higher with protection against UVA and UVB rays is best. The higher the SPF the longer the skin takes to burn. Remember - sunscreen does not stop sunburns, but it does protect the skin longer that if it was not covered.
  
  
• Apply sunscreen daily, if possible 1/2 hour before sun exposure, and reapply every two hours, and after swimming or exercise, even if you are using waterproof sunscreens. Sing this ditty to children when applying sunscreen to the tune to the tune of "Sugar in the morning"...

  "Sunscreen in the morning, sunscreen after swimming, and sunscreen while playing outside, ohh we need that sunscreen, that sunscreen all the time."

  If sunscreen is applied at home before going to the beach, play in the sun can start as soon as you get there.

• Shake well, rub it in well to make sure you get even coverage on all exposed parts of the body, especially the face and back, which receive the most sun exposure, and don't forget, ears, feet and hands and behind the knees... apply according to directions.
  
  
• Consider sunscreening children before they get dressed so you don't miss any edges around clothes.
  
  
• Avoid contact with eyes and mouth. If sunscreen gets in eyes, flush thoroughly with water. If ingested, follow the directions on the tube or bottle.
  
  .. If a rash occurs, discontinue use of sunscreen immediately and consult your doctor.
  
  
• Sunscreen's active ingredients do expire. If your bottle is two or more years old, throw it out... Expiration dates are usually on the bottom of the label.
  
  
• Adults should use sunscreen too... Give your kids the responsibility of reminding you.

After sun care

Here are some tips for skin care after sun exposure:

As your skin loses moisture during exposure to the sun, apply a moisturizer, containing vitamin E or aloe to skin and drink plenty of fluids during the day...

Look for and recognize the signs of skin cancer - consult your doctor immediately if you have any concerns - some signs are:

• A skin growth that increases in size
  
  
• A mole or birth mark that increases in size or thickness or changes in any way including colour or outline
  
  
• A mole or spot that itches, hurts, bleeds or scabs
  
  
• A sore that does not heal, lasts for more than a month or reopens after healing up

• Run cool (not cold) water over the affected area, or a tepid bath this can give relief. Cool compresses also help... Don't use ice as this can put an ice burn on top of the sunburn
  
  
• A pain reliever may help reduce the discomfort of a sunburn - Read medication instructions for usage and check with doctor if giving to a child under two years.
  
  
• Consult a doctor or hospital emergency if the sunburn is serious or it is a child is under one year of age.
  
  
• Never pull peeled skin.
  
  
• If there are no blisters, a creamy lotion may sooth the sting.
  
  
• If there are blisters, keep area clean and after blisters have broken and dried out, apply lotion.
  
  
• You may use anaesthetic sprays or a mild cold cream or hydrocortisone but read directions and consult a pharmacist or your doctor first.
  
  
• Avoid future sunburns as damage intensifies with continued exposure.

Distinguishing benign moles from melanoma

To prevent melanoma, it is important to examine your child's skin on a regular basis, and become familiar with moles, and other skin conditions, in order to better identify changes. According to recent research, certain moles are at higher risk for changing into malignant melanoma. Moles that are present at birth and atypical moles, have a greater chance of becoming malignant. Recognizing changes in your child's moles, by following this ABCD Chart, is crucial in detecting malignant melanoma at its earliest stage. The warning signs are:

Melanomas vary greatly in appearance. Some melanomas may show all of the ABCD characteristics, while other may only show changes in one or two characteristics. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.

How to perform a skin examination

Finding suspicious moles or skin cancer early is the key to treating skin cancer successfully. Examining your children (and yourself) is usually the first step in detecting skin cancer. The following suggested method of examination comes from the American Cancer Society:

• Examine your child's body front and back, then the right and left sides, with arms raised.
  
  
• Look carefully at your child's forearms, the back of his/her upper arms, and the palms of the hands.
  
  
• Look at backs of his/her legs and feet, spaces between the toes, and the soles of the feet.
  
  
• Examine the back of his/her neck and scalp.
  
  
• Check his/her back and buttocks.
  
  
• Become familiar with your child's skin and the pattern of moles, freckles, and other marks.
  
  
• Be alert to changes in the number, size, shape, and colour of pigmented areas.
  
  
• Follow the ABCD Chart when examining moles of other pigmented areas and consult your child's doctor promptly if you notice any changes.