Kids spend a great deal of time in the sun, between walking to and from school, playing afterschool sports, or just hanging out by the pool or on the beach.
Since most kids and teens favor a tanned look, it can be difficult to convince them to practice good sun safety.
More and more parents are taking their children, some as young as 11 years, in for spray tanning sessions.
Is this all due to vanity?
You may not always remember to put sunscreen on yourself, but you should always remember to put sunscreen on your baby. (…)
Eczema is a skin condition caused by a problem with the immune system. It results in an inflammation of the skin, which generally makes skin red, bumpy, scaly, and very, very itchy. Eczema can occur anywhere, but for children, it most often appears on the face, neck, and in the creases of their skin, like inside the elbows and behind the knees.
Summer is a difficult season for many eczema sufferers, as the humidity in the air, combined with sweat from physical activity, can further irritate the skin. The chemicals in [tag-self]sunscreen[/tag-self] or bug spray can dry out the skin, making redness and inflammation worse. Rubbing your child's skin briskly with a towel to dry him or her off may also make the itchiness worse.
The August 2006 issue of the Archives of Dermatology reports that parents can encourage sun-safe behaviors in their children by discussing skin cancer risks, and by modeling appropriate sun-safe behaviors.
These teachings work best when the parent and child already have a close relationship.