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The weather is teasing us right now, but things have been feeling more like summer than early spring for quite some time! That means more time outside for kids and yard work for parents. It also means we are putting on short sleeve shirts and shorts and exposing our lily white winter skin to the sun.

I got a little red this past weekend and my kids have each had some run-ins with those solar rays. Soccer games and baseball practices are in full swing, and even though it is only early April, we need to remember to put on sunscreen.

Also, make sure you purchase a sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection. It will be clearly listed on the front of the bottle. I personally do not purchase sunscreen with bug repellant because I think it decreases the effectiveness of the sunscreen. I just spritz the bug spray right over the top.

I know a lot of folks think that the higher the SPF, the more protection you receive. If you do your homework, you will find that 50 SPF sunscreen doesn’t protect you any more than a good 30 SPF. It does take the money out of your pocket a little faster!

So now that I have you thinking about sunscreen, remember the rules!

1. It takes 15 to 30 minutes for sunscreen to be absorbed and start working. If you sit out in the sun for 15 or 20 minutes before you even get out the bottle, you are putting yourself in harm’s way.

2. Get a friend or family member to help you apply sunscreen to your back or areas you can’t reach.

3. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your ears, face, hands, neck and feet. These areas can get neglected and they are some of the most painful places for sunburns!

4. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, no matter what. After you come out the water, reapply, even if your sunscreen says waterproof or water resistant. These kinds of sunscreens are only effective for 40 to 80 minutes, depending on the manufacturer. How long can your kids stay in the pool?

5. Use sunscreen every day, whether it is bright sunshine or clouds. Our skin in still exposed to the sun’s rays on cloudy days.

If you do get sunburn, remember these simple tips!

1. Keep it cool. Apply cold compresses — such as a towel dampened with cool water — to the affected skin. Or take a cool bath.

2. Keep it moist. Apply aloe or moisturizing cream. Don’t use anything with alcohol, as it can dry out your skin.

3. If small blisters form, don’t break them. They will take longer to heal and increase your risk for infection.

4. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever until the redness and soreness are gone. Follow the instructions and remember not to give children or teenager’s aspirin.

5. If you start to peel, treat your skin gently. Continue to use moisturizer, but don’t pick or pull the skin.

Have a blessed Easter and a pain-free summer!

 

About the author: Denise Howie

Denise Howie is a wife, mother and preschool teacher. She spent her formative years in Minnesota and Iowa, graduating from Iowa State University. After working in the publishing industry for 6 years she became a stay-at-home mom who rarely stayed home! Denise moved to Hastings in 2006 with her husband and three children and dove head first into life in Nebraska.