In spring and summer, it is more likely that children will be taken on days out. Families with children often make trips to the beach, swimming pools and parks on their days out together. As with most things, children are much more vulnerable than adults to environmental conditions such as sun exposure and heat. What are the main things to remember when out with children in the sunshine? If a child is to be exposed to heat, special care must be taken. Children aged under 12 months: During the hottest times of the day, when the sun is most intense (between 11am and 5pm), children should not be taken outdoors; Even outside these times, direct exposure to the sun should be avoided; When outdoors on very hot days, children aged under 12 months should always be kept in the shade; When outdoors on very hot days, children of this age should wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor of greater than 60 (SPF>60). Children aged over 12 months: Similar care should be taken with children over 12 months of age. Don’t be too scared to go out in the sun: moderate and protected exposure to the sun is beneficial and enjoyable. However, children will not be able to enjoy the experience if they are burnt. So: Children should use a sunscreen product with a protection factor greater than 60 (SPF>60). The product should be applied around 30 minutes before exposure to the sun in order to maximise its penetration into the skin; Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours, particularly after children have been swimming or if they sweat a lot; On hot cloudy days, children should still be protected as it is still possible for ultraviolet radiation to affect the skin and cause damage; Even when children are in the shade, the same level of care should be taken, as sunlight reflected by sand or the surface of water can still reach the skin. What to eat in hot weather Food should be kept simple on days out when the weather is hot. Having said that, it should be as far as possible the same kind of food that the children are used to eating . Fruit (e.g. oranges, nectarines, plums, cherries, peaches, melons, watermelons, mangos, papaya and apples) and vegetables (e.g. lettuce, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, carrots, pumpkin) should take preference. These foods are high in carotenes and vitamins , which can help protect the skin from damage caused by excessive sunlight. Special attention should be paid to fluid intake , which should be higher than normal. What can be done to alleviate sunburn? If the child gets burnt in spite of taking precautions with regard to sun exposure, clothing and food, remain vigilant and consider adopting the following additional measures : Mild redness and burning can be helped by bathing the child in lukewarm water and then applying moisturiser. There are products available that have been designed specifically for use on children after they have been in the sun; If the burn looks serious, or the child starts to show signs of physical exhaustion or fever, give them plenty of liquid and seek medical assistance . Accident prevention and other measures Many children are fascinated by water, in particular the sea and swimming pools. They are more likely to take risks and will require more careful attention to keep them out of danger. Children should always be supervised by adults when they are on the beach and in swimming pools, and should wear armbands and life jackets at all times. They must also be able to see the people who are supervising them at all times. To do this, they should be taught how to identify a landmark from some distance away (a bright colour, for example) so that they know how to find the person supervising them. Children should wear appropriate protective equipment such as helmets or knee and elbow pads when riding a bike or a tricycle or when roller-skating. Insect bites are also more common during the summer months. To avoid these, repellents specially made for use on children can be used. There are also numerous products for environmental protection that can be used both indoors and outdoors, but simple measures can initially be taken to get rid of insects. These include: Not leaving containers or areas of stagnant water close to places where children are likely to be; Using mosquito nets at windows and over beds; Ensuring children are not still outside at dusk in places where there are a lot of insects. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
