It’s nearly impossible to keep kids indoors during the summertime. With many fun outdoor activities available, kids are constantly on the go. As a parent, it’s important to make sure your kids are protected from the summer heat and sun.

Cynthia Cross, MD, a Le Bonheur hospitalist and board-certified pediatrician, tells parents to follow the American Academy of Dermatology’s (AAD) guidelines, which recommend that all children, regardless of skin type, should wear a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30. According to Cross, it is not necessary to use a sunscreen with higher SPF levels.

“Any more than 30 is just overkill,” she says.

Cross also says parents should make sure that kids apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours, especially if swimming or perspiring. The AAD says the sunscreen you choose should protect from both UVA and UVB rays, as both can cause sunburn and eventually lead to cancer.

“Remember that the sun’s rays are strongest between the hours of 10 a.m.-4 p.m. If outside during that time, kids can wear protective clothing and hats for added protection from the sun,” says Cross.

If your child does get sunburn, avoid using benzocaine products. According to Cross, these products can cause an allergic reaction, and there have been recent reports of benzocaine leading to a condition known as methemoglobinemia, which can cause a bluish skin tone, fatigue and shortness of breath.

A Le Bonheur specialist’s guide to sun safety all summer long

Fun in the sun is what kids and summer is all about. But trying to decide what sunscreen is best for your child as you sift through the countless brands and forms is no easy task. No need to worry. Mid-South dermatologist Robert Skinner, M.D., has some advice to make those choices easier. Skinner, who works with the UT Medical Group, is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology.

For starters, Skinner recommends that parents use what’s called a physical sunscreen that contains titanium oxide and zinc oxide. Lotions with those ingredients tend to be thicker and look white when first applied. Skinner also cautions parents to stay away from sprays, even though they may seem more convenient for busy children. “You also have to be sure you have a UVA protector, not just UVB,” Skinner said, adding that there has been a bigger emphasis on UVA protection in recent years.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, UVB rays are the sun’s burning rays and the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the dermis, or basic layer of skin and can also contribute to sunburns and skin cancer.

Armed with physical sunscreen and UVA and UVB blockers, it’s also important to check the sun protection factor level. An SPF number measures how long you can stay out without getting red, and doesn’t necessarily mean that one bottle of lotion is stronger than another, Skinner said. When parents look for a good level for their children, SPF 30 should be enough. Skinner recommends that parents also reapply sun block every couple of hours, especially when children are in the water or sweating a lot. It’s also important to apply the sunscreen before going outside, he said. Not only is it difficult to get children to stand still once they are at the pool, there also a chance you might forget to apply once you are outside. Speaking of outside, Skinner recommends that parents be smart when considering when to apply the lotion. If you are going to the beach, an amusement park or the zoo, for example, put it on. “I think anytime you’re out for a prolonged period of time, it’s best to err on the side of caution,” he said. But if you do forget, and your child does burn, there’s no real quick fix. Baths and emollient creams can help some, though. He recommends the over-the-counter lotion for burns. Skinner’s best advice for that: “just don’t forget the sunscreen.”

Fun in the sun is what kids and summer is all about. But trying to decide what sunscreen is best for your child as you sift through the countless brands and forms is no easy task. No need to worry. Mid-South dermatologist Robert Skinner, M.D., has some advice to make those choices easier. Skinner, who works with the UT Medical Group, is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology.

For starters, Skinner recommends that parents use what’s called a physical sunscreen that contains titanium oxide and zinc oxide. Lotions with those ingredients tend to be thicker and look white when first applied. Skinner also cautions parents to stay away from sprays, even though they may seem more convenient for busy children. “You also have to be sure you have a UVA protector, not just UVB,” Skinner said, adding that there has been a bigger emphasis on UVA protection in recent years.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, UVB rays are the sun’s burning rays and the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the dermis, or basic layer of skin and can also contribute to sunburns and skin cancer.

Armed with physical sunscreen and UVA and UVB blockers, it’s also important to check the sun protection factor level. An SPF number measures how long you can stay out without getting red, and doesn’t necessarily mean that one bottle of lotion is stronger than another, Skinner said. When parents look for a good level for their children, SPF 30 should be enough.

Skinner recommends that parents also reapply sun block every couple of hours, especially when children are in the water or sweating a lot. It’s also important to apply the sunscreen before going outside, he said. Not only is it difficult to get children to stand still once they are at the pool, there also a chance you might forget to apply once you are outside.

Speaking of outside, Skinner recommends that parents be smart when considering when to apply the lotion. If you are going to the beach, an amusement park or the zoo, for example, put it on. “I think anytime you’re out for a prolonged period of time, it’s best to err on the side of caution,” he said.

But if you do forget, and your child does burn, there’s no real quick fix. Baths and emollient creams can help some, though. He recommends the over-the-counter Sarna lotion for burns. Skinner’s best advice for that: “just don’t forget the sunscreen.”