By Harvey Lee Moody, Community Resource and Assessment Specialist
As Seen in For Rural, our monthly newsletter.
The summer season is in full swing in Georgia. High temperatures and increased UV exposure come with risks. Protecting yourself and children against the sun’s harmful rays is essential as families enjoy outdoor activities in the summer weather. Jonathan Poon, MD, a family medicine physician with The Medical Center of Elberton and KidsABC participant, emphasizes that sun protection requires a multi-faceted approach.
Many people understand the importance of sun protection for prolonged activities like going to the beach or to the pool, but it is the everyday activities that need it as well. “It’s not just when you’re vacationing; it’s everything in between,” said Dr. Poon. “Just going to the yard to play or going to do a little bit of stuff outside, there’s a bit of consideration that needs to be made.”
Sun protection is crucial for all ages, especially for children, whose skin is younger, thinner and more sensitive to sunlight. He advises limiting outdoor play during the hottest parts of the day to protect children’s skin.
Dr. Poon recommends a top-down approach for sun preparedness. “A wide-brim hat is a good place to start to cover the head and neck,” he said. Baseball caps are not enough as they do not protect the ears and the back of the neck.
Eye protection is equally important, particularly for young children, as sun damage can happen quickly. “Sunglasses are important to protect against future eye damage that can lead to things like cataracts and glaucoma,” he said.
Clothing also plays a significant role in sun protection. Darker clothing helps absorb UV radiation before it reaches the skin. Dr. Poon suggests avoiding loose-fitting clothing, and wearing fabric materials that are more tightly woven. Fabrics such as polyester, nylon and canvas do a great job at protecting skin from UV rays.
Sunscreen is another critical component of sun protection but can be tricky to use effectively. It is best to use a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF. “Most people don’t apply enough to the whole entire body,” said Dr. Poon. He recommends using about an ounce per exposed body part. Reapplication is often forgotten. It is necessary to reapply sunscreen about every two hours or when getting out of the water after swimming.
For infants, using a combination of hats and sun protective clothing is best. “We don’t regularly advise sunscreen for infants less than six months, just because their skin may absorb some of the chemicals in there,” Dr. Poon warned. “We rely mostly on shade and clothing to protect infants.”