Use a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15 or higher. The letters SPF stand for sun protection factor, and the number rating tells you how much longer you can stay in the sun without getting sunburned. So if you normally burn after 20 minutes and you put on a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15, this sunscreen will give you 15 times the protection. That’s 15 x 20 minutes or 300 minutes (5 hours).

Reapply sunscreen every two to three hours, just to be safe. Do this more often if you’ve been swimming or sweating a lot – even if the sunscreen is waterproof. And remember that you can get sunburned more quickly when you’re swimming or boating because the reflection from the water intensifies the sun’s rays.

Be sure to put sunscreen all over your body. This includes some places you might not think of, like the tops of your ears, your nose, the back of your neck, your face, and the tops of your feet. If you want to block the sun’s rays, wear clothing that you can’t see your hand through. You may still get burned through sheerer fabrics.

Don’t forget that your eyes and head need protection from ultraviolet rays, too. Always wear sunglasses in the bright sun and make sure they have a label saying that they block UV rays. And don’t forget to wear a cap or hat. A hat with a wide brim is more ideal as it will also protect your shoulders from getting burnt.

Got That Hot Feeling?

If you’re out in the hot sun, or you’re exercising on a hot day, it’s easy to get heat exhaustion. Kids get heat exhaustion when their bodies can’t cool themselves fast enough. A kid with heat exhaustion might feel overheated, tired and weak. Heat exhaustion can come on suddenly. A person may just collapse when playing football or tennis, for example. It can leave a person feeling really tired for days after it happens.

Heat stroke is a more serious heat-related illness and can cause a person to stop sweating, to have red, hot skin, and to have a high temperature. The person might become uncoordinated, confused, or even lose consciousness. It requires emergency medical attention.

Be sure to tell an adult if you’re hot and you have a headache or feel dizzy or nauseous (like you’re going to throw up). The grown-up will want to get you out of the sun, give you liquids to drink, and take you to a doctor, if necessary.

The good news is that the sun doesn’t have to be your enemy if you wear your sunscreen, drink your water, and take breaks when you start to feel too hot. And don’t forget your sunglasses. Not only do they protect your eyes from the sun, they make you look so cool!

http://www.kidshealth.org