Life forms cannot live without the sun. In many ways we are sun worshippers.
Sun is necessary for a healthy life. Just like carbohydrates and candy, too much sun can be dangerous for humans. Sun exposure is a main cause of skin cancer and skin cancer is now the most prevalent form of cancer in the United States. 3.5 million new cases are diagnosed annually in the US.
We don’t see the effects of skin cancer until we are older, but it begins when children are overexposed to the sun. In fact, most sun damage occurs in childhood. Between 60 and 80 percent of our sun exposure happens before we turn 18. Research shows that a child or teen who suffers two or more blistering sunburns has an increased risk of developing skin cancer later in life.
The risk of melanoma has been increasing in children. The incidence has increased 2.9% per year from 1973 to 2001 in patients younger than 20 years. Melanoma accounts for only 4 % of skin cancer but is responsible for 80% of skin cancer deaths. It is misdiagnosed in up to 40% of pediatric patients as melanomas in children can be pink, white, red, raised and have regular borders. In adults melanomas followed ABCDE clinical rule: Asymmetric, irregular Borders, multiple or variegated Color, larger than 6 mm in Diameter and Evolve over time.
Teaching your children good sun-safety habits is an important step in protecting their future. Some guidelines to follow.
- Avoid the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. When the sun is strongest, so are the ultraviolet (UV) rays.
- The sun’s damaging UV rays can bounce back from sand, snow, or even concrete, so don’t be fooled into thinking that an umbrella provides total protection. Surfaces, such as snow or water, can reflect up to 85 % of the sun’s rays.
- Most of the sun’s rays penetrate clouds that cause an overcast day, so use sun protection even on cloudy days.
- Wear clothes made of lightweight, tightly woven clothing, preferably of dark color for more protection.
- Wear a hat with a 4” brim and make sure children wear their caps with the bill sheltering their eyes. Everyone in the family should have sunglasses that offer protection against ultraviolet light of both types—UVA and UVB.
- Choose a water resistant or waterproof sunscreen that is described as “broad spectrum”.
- Keep re-applying sufficient sunscreen to provide ongoing protection.
- Remember that a tan is not a sign of good health but rather of skin damaged by ultraviolet rays. Stay in the shade whenever possible.
Infants and small children have thinner skin and are more sensitive to sunburn. Protect even babies’ and young children’s eyes from indirect and reflected light with broad-spectrum ultraviolet ray resistant sunglasses. If your baby less than one year old gets sunburn, contact your pediatrician at once. If a child older than one gets sunburn leading to blistering, fever and pain, call your pediatrician. Severe sunburn is an emergency.
Sally Robinson MD
April 2026