Protect your child from sunburn

Protect your child from sunburn

By Donya Betancourt

SANUR, Bali (JP): Welcome to Indonesia, where sunburn is
likely to be a major concern for you.

Sunburn is a first degree burn and is easily treated. However,
it is easier to prevent than to cure.

Ultraviolet rays are invisible and the most harmful to the
skin. They can also reach the skin through reflection from sand,
water, sidewalks and grass.

Babies' skin is delicate; they love to play on the beach
without nappies, so make sure to put suncream on their bottoms.

Outdoor activities should be scheduled to avoid the peak
exposure time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

What are some symptoms of sunburn?

They may range from a mild, symptomatic redness to a more
severe reaction with redness, tenderness, pain, swelling, fever
and sometimes blister formation.

What is sunscreen and SPF?

Sunscreen is topical preparation designed to protect the skin
from the effects of ultraviolet light. Sunscreens are classified
on the basis of their "sun protective factor" (SPF).

What SPF level should be used?

A rating of 4 is limited protection; 8 is maximum sunburn
protection (allows tanning and limits sunburn); and 15 gives
ultra protection (absorbs burning as well as tanning rays).
Anything higher than this is usually unnecessary. Suncream needs
to be applied frequently during the day because it looses its
ability to block the sun's rays unless it is waterproof.

What is the treatment for sunburn?

The treatment is as follows:
* Drink plenty of liquids.
* Apply cold compresses or take cool baths a few times daily.
* Do not "pop" the blisters.
* Keep the burned area clean to prevent infection.
* Wear sunscreen to prevent future burns.
* Leave the skin uncovered indoors, but loosely covered outside
-- cotton is best.

Acetaminophen may be taken to ease the pain. Apply a soothing
cream such as aftersun cream, calamine lotion or preparations
containing aloe.

Topical cortisone (1 percent hydrocortisone) may be applied to
the burned area.

Contact your doctor if:
1. The child has fever, headache, chills, is vomiting, drowsy or
confused -- it may be heatstroke.
2. There is no improvement in three days.
3. There are signs of infection.
4. The pain becomes unbearable.

What is "heatstroke"?

Heatstroke occurs when a person is extremely overheated and
his body-temperature regulating mechanism is broken down. It is
truly a life threatening emergency, and children are very
susceptible to it.

A common occurrence is a child is left alone in a car on a hot
day, even with the window slightly open.

What are symptoms of heatstroke?

If the child has heatstroke:
*The temperature is up to 104 F or higher.
* He might not sweat, even though it is very hot. This is a
common symptom.
* Skin will become flushed, hot and dry.
* He will become disorientated, confused or may slip into a coma.

Is there first aid for heatstroke?

Get medical help as soon as possible and cool your child off
immediately with cold water, a fan or cool room until his
temperature goes down to 102 F. Then stop and keep watching and
make sure the temperature continues to drop and:
* Place a child in a tub of cold water, or under a cold shower.
Never use ice or icy water. Use a garden hose to cool him down if
there is no tub or shower.
* You can wrap him in cold, wet towel or sponge him with cold
water.
* Remember to cool his head.
* The air conditioner and fan can cool him off too. Cool your
child quickly, but don't overcool or chill him!

What is the different between "heat exhaustion" and
"heatstroke"?

"Heat exhaustion" results from overexertion in hot weather.
His body temperature regulating mechanism is still good and
functioning. He will sweat, his skin feels clammy, he may be
weak, have a headache, vomit and faint.

Take your child inside or to a shaded area. Give him something
to sip on if he is alert. Lay him down, elevate his feet, loosen
his clothing, apply a cold compress and fan him. Call your doctor
immediately.

The writer, a pediatrician based in Sanur, Bali, welcomes
questions, comments and concerns at drdonya@hotmail.com.