Kids sun care sorted

"Sunshine is as good for children as it is for adults, in term of general health benefits and Vitamin D," says Justine Hextall, consultant dermatologist and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. "Some children will tan more easily than others, and in fact this is protective to a degree. As with everything, it is about everything in moderation. Be careful in the middle of the day - seek shade, then reapply sun cream frequently, especially when swimming. With younger children, UV protective suits when swimming will help too. It is about avoiding skin burning, as this is the main risk factor for skin cancer from childhood."

:: When should I be applying their sun cream, and what if they're running in and out of the sea/pool?

"Sun cream should be applied 15 minutes before going into the sun, allowing time for the product to absorb into the skin before your child starts moving around/playing, which may cause surface product to rub off," says Clare O'Connor, Boots UK sun care expert. "Reapply every one to two hours, as well as immediately after swimming or towelling to ensure protection isn't compromised. Remember, water-resistant products are tested to resist up to 40 minutes in the water, so make sure you reapply within this time if they're splashing around in the pool. Maybe consider a once-a-day kids' water play sun lotion to ensure they're protected for up to eight hours and also have up to three hours in the water."

:: Are some kids more vulnerable to sun damage?

"Children with pale skin that burns easily have to be particularly careful. If there is a family history of melanoma, then of course it is even more important to remove other risk factors," says Hextall. "Some children I see, and young adults, have lots of atypical looking moles. There's a condition called dysplastic nevus syndrome, where individuals with multiple clinically atypical looking moles need careful vigilance; here again I'd recommend caution with sun exposure, and definitely avoiding burning."

:: Are there areas that kids tend to burn most?

"Children tend to be more vulnerable to burning than adults, as they are more exposed by the way they play. They play outside for long periods of time and often spend hours running in and out of the water and have more abrasive contact with surfaces like sand, so they require robust protection," says O'Connor. "Areas particularly vulnerable to burning - because we often forget to protect them - are the top of the head, the ears and the feet, particularly the soles, so it's really important to remember to apply cream to these areas. A lip product that contains SPF ensures your child's lips are protected while exposed to the sun. You may also want to consider an SPF scalp spray to help protect hair partings and the scalp. But by far the ideal protection for your child's head and face is to wear a broad-brimmed hat at all times."

:: Is it ever safe to let a toddler/young child sleep in the sunshine?

"Children should avoid being left to sleep in the sun as there are other risks besides burning," says O'Connor. "Heat exhaustion can be a concern if the body cannot lose heat fast enough and this can lead to heat stroke, therefore it's best to keep them cool in the shade and protected from harmful rays. Remember to ensure your child is wearing sun protection even if they are in the shade, as UV rays are reflected from surrounding surfaces and water, so it's important to keep up your sun protection routine!"

:: What about the risk of dehydration when kids are playing outside in the sunshine for hours?

"Children are usually more active in the outdoors in the summer, so it's essential to ensure they are drinking enough to stay hydrated, so they can keep having fun in the sun! Try and get them to sit in the shade every half an hour or so, to have a drink of water and also reapply sun cream if needed. The minimum a child aged five to eight years should drink is 1 litre [5 glasses] of fluids a day, and a nine to twelve-year-old should have 1.5 litres [7 glasses]. Remember, in the heat they will need to consume more fluid to keep them hydrated," O'Connor explains.

:: Are there warning signs that children are over-heating in the sun?

"If your child is complaining of a headache, dizziness, nausea or cramps, or if they have unusually flushed, hot skin, they could be suffering from heat exhaustion. If this happens, you should get them to rest in a cool place and drink some fluids immediately," advises O'Connor. "It is important to cool their body temperature down as quickly as possible, so use a cold wet sponge or towel to do so. When your child is running around and active in the summer months, symptoms can develop quickly and occasionally lead to exertional heatstroke [which is serious; symptoms include a very high temperature, rapid heartbeat and dry skin due to an absence of sweat], so always seek medical advice if symptoms worsen or you are concerned about your child's health."

:: When buying sunglasses for kids, is UV protection important?

"Up to 80% of the eye's lifetime exposure to UV light is reached before the age of 18, which makes UV protection particularly important in childhood," stresses O'Connor. "Because children's eyes have larger pupils and clearer lenses, they are more susceptible to the effects of the sun. Look for sunglasses that have 100% UV protection - this is shown with a CE mark on the lens or a sticker indicating that the glasses offer a safe level of sun protection."

:: What if my child's sensitive skin is irritated by sun creams?

"Sensitivity to sun creams is not uncommon, particularly when children have eczema," says Hextall. "Chemical sun blocks are more likely to cause allergy than straightforward physical blocks that reflect light (think zinc oxide). There are brands like Ladival, which have been recommended by the Skin Health Alliance for sensitive skin, which also protects against infrared-A, that has been shown to also cause lasting damage to skin. Other product ranges for sensitive skin include Soltan and SunSense."

SUNNY ESSENTIALS

:: SUPER SUN CREAMS

Boots' award-winning Soltan Kids range is designed especially for lively little ones. Quick-absorbing, the range includes once-a-day, non-sticky formulas and a Waterplay Spray that remains water-resistant for three hours.

:: Soltan Kids Once 3 hours Waterplay Mini Spray SPF50, £5; Soltan Kids Dry Touch Spray SPF50+, £6; Soltan Kids Protect & Go Mini Lotion SPF50+, £3 (boots.com)

Finding sun lotions that don't irritate sensitive or eczema-prone young skin can be tricky. Ladival's specially formulated kids' cream not only offers top-notch protection from sun damage, it's also extra water-resistant and particularly gentle on delicate skin.

:: Ladival Kids Lotion SPF50+ and Ladival Kids Spray SPF50+, both £19.99 (www.ladival.co.uk)

:: SHADY BUSINESS

Sunglasses aren't just a fashion accessory, they're vital for shielding eyes from harmful rays - and kids' peepers are particularly vulnerable, so ensure your tots' shades have the safety factor as well as the cute factor. Boots Opticians has a fab range for boys and girls, all meeting EU standards for UV protection.

:: Boots Kids UV protection Sunglasses, £40 each (boots.com)

:: MAD HATTER

Hats offer far better protection for little noses, scalps and partings than sun lotion alone. Go one step further and invest in a hat made from UV-protective fabric. Sand Dollar has an extensive range of fun designs for boys and girls which are all water-safe, and as well as visors for face-protection at the front, a long flap at the back ensures necks and tops of backs are covered up too.

:: Sun Hats, £17 each (sanddollarswim.com)

ASK THE EXPERT

Q: "My son's behind at school and I always struggle to get him to do his homework. Have you got any tips?"

A: Carey Ann Dodah, head of curriculum at the tuition company Explore Learning, says: "My first piece of advice would be to make a plan with your son on where and when homework will be done. Make sure that he's involved in the decision-making process - perhaps by giving him three options of when to do it so he can fit it around his other activities.

"Avoid distractions by encouraging him to do his homework in a room with no TV or computer.

"Make sure he has all his resources ready in advance so he doesn't need to go and find bits halfway through that will lead to distractions.

"Agree the amount of time that your son will be working for. If he's particularly young and can't read a clock yet, use egg timers so he can see how much time he has left.

"Let your son do the work - it's often very easy for parents to help children a little bit too much. For example, if you're doing maths homework, do the first question so he can see how you did it, and then let him do the rest. Make sure the teacher can see that he's worked it out for himself.

"The way things are being taught has changed a lot since many parents were at school, so if you're unsure of anything, talk to his teacher. If you don't understand anything, be open and ask for help. This is particularly pertinent with the arrival of the new National Curriculum in September where a number of changes have been made.

"Most importantly, be patient. Doing homework can be a stressful time for both children and parents. Praise the good things and don't get irritated if he doesn't understand straight away. Make sure you give him confidence and pull out the positives."