• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Home Jobs by MOM

Home Jobs by MOM

Insights. Ideas. Improvements.

  • Lifestyle Insights
  • Business Ideas
    • Online Tools for Bloggers
  • Improving Family Life
  • Contact

Teach Your Kids About Sun Safety This Summer

You are here: Home / Lifestyle / Health & Fitness / Medical / Teach Your Kids About Sun Safety This Summer

THIS WEBSITE USES AFFILIATE LINKS WHICH MEANS WE RECEIVE COMPENSATION IF YOU PURCHASE A PRODUCT THROUGH THEM. VISIT OUR DISCLOSURE PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

August 13, 2021 by Home Jobs By Mom
Pin32
Tweet
Share14
46 Shares

Teach-Your-Kids-About-Sun-Safety-This-Summer

School’s out, and your kids are probably off at summer camp, hitting the beach, or playing on the local summer soccer league. Whatever it is, they’re definitely getting plenty of sunshine. It’s important to take note of their extended hours in the sun and adjust accordingly. It's the perfect time to check your sun safety practices. Read on to learn more about the risks, signs, and tips for prevention.

It's important to protect kid's skin from too much sun exposure. Here's how to help kids enjoy fun in the sun safely!Click To Tweet

Types of Skin Cancer



According to SkinCancer.org, a person’s risk for developing melanoma increases if they have had more than five sunburns—specifically, a single blistering sunburn at a young age or during adolescence doubles the likelihood of developing melanoma later on in life.

Melanoma is not the only type of skin cancer out there, and not all are as deadly.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

BCC is the most prevalent skin cancer type. It is most likely to develop in people who have fair skin and in people of color.

It’s identifiable by its flesh-colored appearance, and it will often appear as a pearl-like bump. While BCCs are more common on the arms, scalp, and neck areas, they can also form on the legs and torso.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

SCC will present as a red and firm bump, a lesion, or a flaky patch of skin.

This form of cancer develops on the places of the body with the most sun exposure, like the top of the ears, the face, neck, arms, and torso.

Melanoma


Finally, melanoma—the most severe form—can develop in a mole that already exists. Melanomas can also appear as dark spots on your skin that look different from the rest.

While skin cancer is generally uncommon in children, melanoma is most frequently diagnosed in children. Spitzoid melanoma, conventional melanoma, and congenital melanocytic nevus are the specific types of skin cancer that children are diagnosed with.

Conventional Melanoma

Conventional melanoma is similar to adult melanomas, and they tend to be diagnosed after puberty.

Spitzoid Melanomas

Spitzoid melanomas look different from melanomas found in adults, as they’re often nodular, round, and uniform in color.

Congenital Melanocytic

Finally, congenital melanocytic nevus is a large mole or birthmark that’s present at birth. While it’s not initially cancerous, about 5-10 percent of these cases turn cancerous.

Common Risk Factors for Skin Cancer


If your family genetics include any of the below, it is crucial to be cautious about overexposure to the sun’s harmful rays.

  • Fair skin
  • Freckles
  • Blonde or red hair
  • Several moles
  • History of melanoma

Fair-skinned individuals are not the only ones at risk.

Dr. Vincent Marchello, Fidelis Care Chief Medical Officer emphasizes that “although darker skin does offer some protection from ultraviolet (UV) light, it does not mean that these individuals are not at risk for skin cancer. During UV Safety Month, Fidelis Care stresses the importance of routine skin care and recommends that everyone, regardless of skin color, applies sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 before going outdoors.”

Additionally, warn your teens of the dangers of indoor tanning beds. The most common cases of pediatric melanoma occur in girls between the ages of 15 and 19.

The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center link this to excessive sun exposure and the use of tanning beds.

Sun Safety for Kids


It’s best to instill good sun-safety habits in your children early on. Help your child apply sunscreen on all places where their skin will have sun exposure—don’t forget the top of those ears!

The CDC recommends an SPF of 15 or higher, and remember to reapply at least every two hours, especially after activities that involve excessive sweating or swimming. Parents of babies younger than six months should be wary of exposing them to the sun’s rays at all.

If you are worried that it will be hard to remove sunscreen, don't be. Simply use an oil-based cleanser and silicone scrubber to gently remove any leftover sunscreen debris while exfoliating your skin at the same time.

If possible, avoid being in the sun when it’s the strongest—between 10 am and 4 pm, and encourage your kids to wear hats and protective clothing.

You’re a model to your child, so make sure you’re practicing the same habits you want to instill in them.

Exam Your Child's Skin Often


Early detection of skin cancer dramatically improves the likelihood of survival.

Up to 40% of the time, the treatment of childhood melanoma is delayed due to inaccurate diagnosis of pigmented spots or lesions. As mentioned above, it’s important to watch out for any new spots that look peculiar in shape, size, and color.

You can easily do these checks on your kids, as you probably know their skin best. Still, if there’s a family history, it’s crucial to have a pediatric dermatologist do a complete check of all existing and new spots.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the “ABCDES” to help you know what to look for when doing skin checks on yourself or your kids:

A: Asymmetry

The spot should look the same from one half to the other and like other non-cancerous spots on your body

B: Border

Irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined borders are a cause for concern.

C: Color

Multiple shades of tan, brown, or black, and white, red, or blue areas are not common in a regular mole.

D: Diameter

Melanomas tend to be greater than 6 mm—the size of a pencil eraser—although they are sometimes diagnosed smaller.

E: Evolving

As mentioned above, keep an eye on any size, shape, or color changes over time.

Having a healthy, UV-safe summer doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice time out in the sunshine. Apply the SPF-15 sunblock and enjoy that sun, but don’t forget to reapply and set up those routine checks!

Do you know how to explain sun safety to a child?

Related Posts:

  • The Best Skiing Tips for Teaching Your Kids To Ski
    The Best Skiing Tips for Teaching Your Kids To Ski
  • Save Money and Fight Visible Signs Of Aging #MorningSave #Deals
    Save Money and Fight Visible Signs Of Aging #MorningSave…
  • Environmental Awareness: Protecting the Health of Our Kids
    Environmental Awareness: Protecting the Health of Our Kids
  • Top Skincare Tips to Help with Rosacea
    Top Skincare Tips to Help with Rosacea
  • How to Keep Your Child Safe from Bug Bites This Summer
    How to Keep Your Child Safe from Bug Bites This Summer
  • A Few Tips For Caring for Elderly Parents At Home
    A Few Tips For Caring for Elderly Parents At Home
  • 6 Ways To Prevent Skin Aging & Wrinkles Naturally
    6 Ways To Prevent Skin Aging & Wrinkles Naturally
  • Starting a Rose Garden in your Backyard
    Starting a Rose Garden in your Backyard
Pin32
Tweet
Share14
46 Shares
Category: Health & Fitness, Lifestyle, MedicalTag: cancer, Skin Care

About Home Jobs By Mom

Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.

Previous Post:Best-Water-Rides-to-Add-to-Your-Water-Park-ExperienceBest Water Rides to Add to Your Water Park Experience
Next Post:Starting a Creative Business in the UK as Non-ResidentStarting-a-Business-in-the-UK-as-Non-Resident

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dreaa

    September 6, 2021 at 2:00 pm

    This is a good idea!

    Reply
    • Home Jobs By Mom

      September 8, 2021 at 7:39 am

      Do you wear sunscreen regularly?

      Reply
      • Dreaa

        September 9, 2021 at 1:19 am

        Yes!

        Reply
        • Home Jobs By Mom

          September 9, 2021 at 7:09 am

          Great to hear you care about sun safety!

          Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sidebar

Welcome!

Get a look into a mom’s inkling into this crazy thing called life.

Read More

Recent Posts

  • February $100 Cash Giveaway (Ends 2/28) #valentinesday2023 #BTEvents
  • Coned Edible Treats Giveaway (Ends 3/7) @BakedBags
  • How to Create the Perfect Organizational Systems for Your Home
  • Pete & Pedro Mens Cologne Giveaway (Ends 2/14) @DeliciouslySavv @pandpbuenohair
  • EWin PRIME Fascia Massage Gun Giveaway (Ends 2/14) @goosegiveaways @ewinracing
  • Cirkul Happily Hydrated Giveaway (Ends 2/14) @SilvieArmas
  • 6 Creative Ways to Serve Mini Ice Cream Cones
  • Where to Buy Trendy Outfits for Women?
  • 6 DIY Projects You Can Make with the Best Fabric Glue
  • Pet Food Bowl Giveaway (Ends 2/20) @DeliciouslySavv @SpunkyJunky1

February $100 Cash Giveaway (Ends 2/28) #valentinesday2023 #BTEvents

Coned Edible Treats Giveaway (Ends 3/7) @BakedBags

Pete & Pedro Mens Cologne Giveaway (Ends 2/14) @DeliciouslySavv @pandpbuenohair

EWin PRIME Fascia Massage Gun Giveaway (Ends 2/14) @goosegiveaways @ewinracing

Cirkul Happily Hydrated Giveaway (Ends 2/14) @SilvieArmas

Pet Food Bowl Giveaway (Ends 2/20) @DeliciouslySavv @SpunkyJunky1

Pamper Your Baby Giveaway (Ends 2/20) @DeliciouslySavv @Baby_Magic

Rock Dog 3: Battle the Beat DVD Giveaway (Ends 2/14) @DeliciouslySavv

Enter More Giveaways!

Free Download

“Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier, and to be the best version of you.”

Productivity-Planner-Preview
Download the FREE Colorable Productivity Planner to get your life more organized. Sign up as a newsletter insider today!
Be a Better You!

  • February $100 Cash Giveaway (Ends 2/28) #valentinesday2023 #BTEvents
  • Coned Edible Treats Giveaway (Ends 3/7) @BakedBags
  • How to Create the Perfect Organizational Systems for Your Home
  • Pete & Pedro Mens Cologne Giveaway (Ends 2/14) @DeliciouslySavv @pandpbuenohair
  • EWin PRIME Fascia Massage Gun Giveaway (Ends 2/14) @goosegiveaways @ewinracing
  • About Home Jobs By Mom
  • Terms & Privacy
  • Contact
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Home Jobs by MOM · All Rights Reserved

This website uses affiliate links which means we receive compensation if you purchase a product through them. Visit our disclosure page for more information.