Sun Protection

by Sally Plomley
ISB Health Co-ordinator
nurse@isb.ac.th

Living in Bangkok we are in a tropical climate, with lots of sun. We all spend time in the sun no matter how hard we try and avoid it. At ISB, students play outside as well as having PE in the sun. With some students already starting swimming for PE we really need to think about limiting their exposure to harmful UV rays. This is a gentle reminder about the risks of sun exposure and how to prevent long term problems.

Excess sun exposure can cause immediate health concerns with sunburn and heat related illnesses as well as long term health issues such as skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation people who have 5 or more episodes of sunburn as a child increase their lifetime risk of melanoma (a type of skin cancer) by 80%.

We all need some sun exposure for our bodies to manufacture Vitamin D for healthy bones and immune system. We get adequate Vitamin D from 15-20 minutes of sun exposure a day. The problem is that overall our children are exposed to more than that. We can also supplement our Vitamin D with oral supplements or Vitamin D fortified products.

How do we limit our children’s sun exposure? (Both at school and at home/whilst on holidays)

1. Stay in the shade as much as possible especially between 10 am and 4 pm.
2. Encourage children to wear a broad brimmed hat or cap. All ISB elementary school students need to wear a hat to play outside and for PE. Encourage your middle school and high school students to do the same. If children are wearing a cap apply sunscreen to neck and ears (see below). Consider rash guard/swim shirt for swimming sessions.
3. Wear clothing that covers skin as much as possible. Wear clothing with a tight weave.
4. Sunscreen. Need at least SPF15. Encourage children to apply before school, before PE and at recess/lunch if going to play in the sun. Reapply every 2 hours if in the sun or after swimming/excessive sweating. Apply sunscreen even when it is cloudy. Always check expiry date on your sunscreen.
5. When possible wear sunglasses that provide 97-100% protection from UVA and UVB rays.

Treatment of Sunburn:

1. Move out of sun as soon as sunburn is recognised.
2. Give fluids.
3. Simple analgesics such as ibuprofen can help with the pain.
4. Topical agents such as cool compresses, moisturizing creams and aloe vera gels may help.
5. Leave blisters intact. If open cover with petrolatum jelly and sterile dressing. May required antibiotics if get infected.
6. Severe sunburn: seek medical advice as there is a risk of severe dehydration. Hospitalization may be required for severe sunburn.
7. Ensure above preventative measures are taken to avoid recurrence.

ISB is committed to your child’s overall development, both educationally and health related. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider or the ISB Health Clinic (nurse@isb.ac.th).