Take a moment to make sure your family has a safe and healthy spring!
Resources from Poison Help: Seasonal Tips - Spring
Ticks are here!
Are you checking for Ticks in the evening AND in the morning? Learn how to prevent tick bites and what to do if your child has a tick bite on our Ticks and Lyme Disease information page.
Read more about Choosing an Insect Repellent for Your Child at HealthyChildren.org and Consumer Reports.
Sunny days are here!
Enjoy the outdoors while protecting your family from sunburns now and from skin cancer later in life. Read about sunburns and sunscreens at healthychildren.org .
Are chemical sunscreen ingredients dangerous? Some experts suggest avoiding oxybenzone and avobenzone- two active ingredients that may have effects on the endocrine (hormone) system. Additionally, a recent report suggested these and other chemical sunscreen ingredients are found in small amounts in the blood (absorbed through the skin) after an application of sunscreen. There is no clear evidence yet of harmful health effects from this, though some people feel more comfortable avoiding these chemical sunscreen ingredients.
However, Consumer Reports testing suggested that a sunscreen product with "mineral" sunscreen ingredients (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide), and chemical sunscreens (check the label for active ingredients) that is rated SPF 40 or greater will give you the best chance of actually getting least an SPF 30, the minimum level many dermatologists recommend.
So, what to do?!
- Use clothing as your sun protection when possible. Swim shirts or rash guards and fuller coverage swimsuits (with SPF ratings) as well as sun-hats can reduce the amount of sunscreen you need and save you the time and hassle of reapplication.
- For younger children (less than 2 years old) and those children of any age with very sensitive skin - choose a mineral based sunscreen. Avoid ones with too many essential oils, "botanical ingredients" or fragrance/scents. Some popular brands include Neutrogena Baby, Blue Lizard Baby or Sensitive, Aveeno Baby, and Coppertone Baby but be sure to look at the ingredients yourself.
- For older children and those with less sensitive you could consider a combination sunscreen with BOTH chemical and mineral/physical blockers. You might avoid aerosol sprays, as inhalation of these is likely not healthy. Blue Lizard is a brand many dermatologists recommend but there are many others that have a zinc oxide/titanium dioxide base with just one or two additional chemical blockers.
- Consider sunscreen "sticks" for the face- these are easy to use around the eyes! Neutrogena Baby makes a good zinc oxide-based option.
- If you forget your favorite sunscreen and need to use one with more chemical blockers that you usually use - do not worry. Limited use of these will not harm your child, and it is better to avoid a burn!
The American Academy of Dermatology also has lots of sunscreen information with answers to "FAQ's."