Too Much Sun for Infants Could Result in Cancer Later
By now, everyone realizes the importance of protecting your skin from too much sun exposure. Studies conducted recently, however, indicate that babies are at a higher risk, when exposed to the harmful rays of the sun. Researchers are saying it is more important than many realize to keep your baby shielded from ultraviolet rays. This means protective clothing, sunscreen or, whenever possible, both.
The Low Down
The bottom line is that, while everyone should protect themselves from ultraviolet rays, it is even more crucial to do this for infants and babies. The reason researchers are claiming the very young are at a higher risk is that children this young have not yet developed enough of the natural, protective layers of skin. Children have lower levels of pigmentation like melanin which protects skin. This, combined with a thinner outer skin layer means the harmful rays can damage the skin, much more easily.
These built up layers are what help, to some degree, protect people from the sun. Infants have thin, delicate and sensitive skin that is that much more susceptible to damage from the sun. Reports from the studies say that children younger than the age of two are among the highest risk factor group. The scary reality is that skin changes connected to the sun within the first year of a baby’s life, could result in melanoma and other versions of cancer, in later years.
More Details About the Findings
What people do not realize is that this is about more than just direct exposure to the sun and its effects on skin, in the result of melanoma. The skin also plays a role in helping maintain a healthy and functional immune system. Ultraviolet rays may suppress the immune system and harm skin cells. It turns out, this process, can happen at a much more rapid rate with infants than in older children or adults.
The reason this study is important is that, until now, most studies were conducted without focus on just that of infants. While it was assumed that if, for adults, the skin could be affected negatively due to the sun it would be, also, true for kids. Few studies, though, looked specifically at the skin of children aged two and under.
Understanding the Results
The bottom line is that harmful sun exposure to children, from infancy and up into adolescence, can have damaging and ever lasting effects. Allowing this age group to have too much sun exposure could result in skin cancer, later in life. This is, especially, true for those who are two and under. Studies show this could be why there has been a recent rise in the amount of people who are being diagnosed with skin cancer.
It is recommended that children be dressed to cover as much exposed skin, as possible, including the use of a brimmed hat. Sunscreen is a must and the amount of time a youngster is in the sun is highly suggested. This is especially true during the mid-day hours when it is at the highest temperature. For babies six months and younger, it is best to avoid direct sun exposure, altogether.