Sweaters have been mothballed and shunted to the dark corners of your closet. Ice cream advertisements have flooded your TV. And the roadside pavement is hot enough to fry an egg on. Summer is here. And with it comes outdoor parks, beach visits, swimming pools and a bucket load of worrying for you. No school and lack of structure can make kids go nuts in the summer. All that energy will need a release.

However, you don’t want your child to go from happy and playful to sun-burnt, dehydrated and bitten by disease-carrying bugs. When temperatures north of 39-40 degrees Celsius and your child is outdoors, you need to plan complete top-to-toe protection. Lucky for you, we have your child covered.  

Major concerns with kids during the summer

1. Sun damage

The sun is nobody’s friend, especially between 10 am to 4 pm when the rays can be quite intense. Even outside these hours, your child needs protection.

2. Dehydration

All that running around and physical exertion makes your child sweaty and tired. He needs water to replenish his lost fluids.

3. Insect Bites

It’s their summer holidays too, and what better than healthy young kids for insects to snack on?

4. Nose bleeds

Kids have more blood vessels in their nose than we do. When it gets hot and dry, these vessels get swollen, and their noses start bleeding.

5. Heat rash

Your child’s sweat glands haven’t fully developed yet. So the sweat can clog their tiny pores on the skin causing prickly heat or a rash when it gets hot.

Head to toe protection for kids in summer

To make sure you don’t miss any part of your child, here is a checklist below for you to tick off.

1. Head and Face

Hats:

Hats that are lightweight, allow air ventilation, with a rim or visor to protect the eyes from sun damage and adjustable straps for younger children.

Sunglasses:

Sunglasses with polycarbonate lenses for complete UV protection, large, fitting frames with a connecting string or chain around the head, so it doesn’t fall off.

Saline nose spray or nasal cream:

They help keep the nasal passages moist and prevent nosebleeds.

Lip balm:

Age-appropriate lip balm with SPF 30 to avoid sun damage. If you want to avoid sunscreen, apply some cold-pressed coconut oil which is traditionally used as a sunscreen.

2. Body, arms and legs

Sunscreen:

Sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher offers broad-spectrum coverage ie UVA and UVB rays. Click here for details about suitable sunscreen for kids.

Clothes:

Clothes with light-coloured, breathable fabrics like cotton are ideal, especially to prevent heat rash. While shorts and sleeveless tops appear cooling, it is better to cover body parts like shoulders and thighs as they burn easily.

Mosquito repellent:

Use a repellent that contains citronella and lemongrass help prevent bites on exposed skin.

3. Feet

Shoes that are partially open allow air circulation before ‘stinky feet’ syndrome sets in, but don’t forget sunscreen on exposed toes.

4. Overall

Hydration:

Encourage your child to consume water regularly to avoid dehydration especially during a high energy, outdoor activities. You can add a little lemon or cucumber for flavour if your child doesn’t like drinking water. Encourage your child to have Chaas, coconut water for optimum hydration.

Note: Avoid sugary drinks, packed fruit juices and aerated waters as they dehydrate the body.

Cool showers:

After time spent sweating in the sun, cool showers will help prevent heat rashes.

Umbrellas:

This humble device offers much-needed shade if your child isn’t too fussy about using one.

What to do if your child gets:

1. Sunburn:

  • Take cool (but not cold) baths to soothe the skin
  • Apply aloe vera, moisturising gel or ghee
  • Cover skin from more sun exposure or stay indoors

2. Dehydration:

  • Small sips of water (for fussy drinkers make a game out of it)
  • Offer fluids with electrolytes, e.g. nimbu paani, chaas with salt (& sugar for taste)
  • Ice chips can be slowly sucked on

3. Mosquito bites:

  • Gently rub ice on the bite to stop the stinging
  • Apply calamine lotion or aloe vera to avoid scratching

4. Nose bleeds:

  • Keep your child’s head elevated till the bleeding stops.
  • Gently apply ice to reduce the swelling inside the nose

5. Heat rash:

  • Give your child a cool bath but avoid soap
  • Calamine lotion will soothe the skin
  • Don’t let your child stay out in the sun for long. If possible, keep him near an air conditioner or a fan.

Consult your doctor if:

  • There is fever, nausea or chills
  • Symptoms don’t heal
  • Your gut tells you something is wrong

Conclusion

If you want to remember your child’s summer holidays as happy, carefree memories, instead of a time where you applied calamine lotion every hour for a week, you know what to do. Refer to our checklist and take right precautionary measures.