Sun Safety

Warm, sunny days are wonderful. It's good for children to spend time playing and exercising outdoors, and it's important they enjoy it safely. Here are some tips on how to help keep your family safe from too much exposure to the sun's harmful rays.

Choosing A Sunscreen

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15. For sensitive areas of the body, such as the nose, cheeks, tops of the ears and shoulders, choose a sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for broad-band UV protection. Remember, sunblock is not approved for babies younger than 6 months (with very rare exceptions - talk to your provider) and they should be kept out of direct sunlight at all times. Find shade under a tree, umbrella, or stroller canopy.

How to Apply

Sunscreen should be applied 15-30 minutes before sun exposure, as this allows time to be absorbed into the skin. Use sunscreen any time you or your child spend time outdoors. Remember that you can get sunburned even on cloudy days. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or drying off with a towel. On days when kids are in and out of the pool, sunblock might need to be applied every hour or even more frequently.

When to Call the Office

Your baby is younger than 1 year and gets a sunburn
If there is any blistering, fever or pain accompanying a sunburn

Last Updated 7/14/2021

For more information visit healthychildren.org

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.