At Ruth Treiber Dermatology, Dr. Ruth Treiber, and her staff take pride in not only providing patients with the highest level of dermatology care but in also in giving them the education needed to make healthy lifestyle choices. One of the most important dermatology issues Ruth Treiber stresses to her patients is sun protection, and insuring patients take the proper steps to protect themselves from destructive UV rays.
As we muddle through the dog days of summer it seems the midday sun never quits. Making daily activities that much harder, and have us longing for the solace of a shady tree or air-conditioned office building. Dr. Treiber, MD. Has treated many patients for sun-related issues, from a bad sunburn to cases of melanoma she has seen it all. She knows all too well that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US, and all it takes is one bad sunburn during childhood to almost double one’s likelihood of developing melanoma! Dr. Treiber preaches to parents that sun-protection must be instilled in children from a very early age, allowing them to develop good habits and pass them down. To better equip parents with the tools necessary to develop good sun-protection habits, Dr. Ruth Treiber recommend the following tips:
- Keep babies and small children in the shade! During your child’s first few years, when children are most vulnerable, children should be kept in shaded areas or inside for most of their days. She recommends parents bring umbrellas to parks, and beaches and provide children with a shaded area to come back to, limiting exposure.
- Dress babies and small children in sun protective clothing. Dr. Treiber asserts that as children play outside they wear long-sleeved, lightweight, loose clothing. Including shirts and pants. Allows kids to stay cool, with less UV exposure.
- Go easy on the sunscreen! Sunscreen is a vital part of sun-protection, however some parents tend to over apply and over use it. Of course, you should apply it to your children when they will be exposed to the sun, but apply the minimal amount to get the job done. Also, go for more natural brands, with less chemicals, intended for small children, and reapply a SMALL amount every 2-4 hours, in the sun. Look for broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Sunscreens containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are less likely to irritate a baby’s sensitive skin.
- Make sure children are properly hydrated on hot, sunny days. As dehydration can cause a number of health issues, especially in small children.
- If you or your child might have been over-exposed to the sun this summer make sure to give Ruth Treiber Dermatology a call and schedule your next appointment as soon as possible!
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