Update: : Two weeks ago, I began a discussion from a Gatoraide Sports Science Exchange Roundtable (Vol. 10, No. 1, 1999) regarding health problems that are more likely to occur to children in the summer. I mentioned in-line skating, skateboarding and mountain biking as well as dehydration and heat illness. According to this report, there are two other problems that should be monitored: sunburn and ear infections. I will discuss these issues in today's column.1. Sunburn. Children are more susceptible to sunburn than adults because they have not had the gradual ultraviolet exposure that stimulates melanin production (tan). And tanning does provide some protection from sunburn. In addition, sun exposure early in life leads to the development of skin cancer as an adult; and the majority of a person's sun exposure occurs before age 20.
The risk of skin cancer grows with increased sun exposure for all individuals, but children with red or blond hair, fair skin and blue eyes, a family history of melanoma, and those of Scottish, Irish and Welsh ancestry face a greater risk than average. Also, children who live in the South are usually more exposed to ultraviolet radiation than are children in the north, and children who live at higher altitudes need more sun protection than those who live near sea level.
A sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 will filter more than 92 percent of the ultraviolet radiation responsible for sunburn. If children used sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater regularly, the Sunscreens need to be applied liberally before a child goes outdoors. In an article I did on sunburn last year, I recommended the ACS-SPF slogan of "Slip, Slop, Slap" for anyone while is out in the sun -- Slip on a shirt! Slop on the sunscreen! Slap on a hat.
What should you do if a child does get sunburned? Usually, sunburn is not a medical emergency and can be treated at home by applying soothing cool (not cold) wet towels to the affected area. Topical anesthetics and emollient creams may be helpful, but an over-the-counter corticosteroid ointment or a high potency coricosteroid cream may provide the best pain relief. Normally the skin heals in about 7 days.
2. Ear infections. When warm weather comes, kids head to pools, lakes, pond, and rivers for summer fun in the water. This leads to a surge of cases of external otitis (swimmer's ear), an infection in the tissues of the ear canal. Because tissues in this area have little room to expand, the inflammation causes pain, especially when touched. In fact, ear pain without a tender ear is rarely a sign of swimmer's ear. The causative organisms are usually bacteria, but occasionally, yeast and fungi are involved.
Some people have a greater chance than others to get swimmer's ear, and the chance goes up with exposure to water. That is why it is so common in swim team members. Prevention measures are not reliable, but should focus on getting water out of the ear canal after swimming. In addition, there are over-the-counter products and prescriptions that can be of some help.
Treatment consist of using topical antibiotic drops or antimicrobial drops along with oral pain relievers. Oral antibiotics are not usually helpful unless there is spread of the infection to the tissues around the ear. Return to swimming is usually delayed until the ear is no longer tender to the touch (from three to five days).
In summary, the article listed four stay-safe tips for an active summer: SLIP, SLAP, SLOP, SLURP. Slip on the lightweight, light-colored clothes to allow air ventilation to cool the body. Slap on protective gear such as helmets and pads when necessary. Slop on sunscreen to protect against burn. Slurp an aid drink to protect against dehydration.
Have a safe summer!