Key Points about Ultraviolet Radiation

Being outdoors has significant health benefits. While encouraging children and adolescents to play and exercise outside, it is important to make sure that they do so safely – overexposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can negatively impact health.

  • Overexposure to UVR from the sun and artificial sources raises the risk of skin cancer, the most common form of cancer.
  • Although cancer is not common in young people, melanoma is one of the most common cancers in teens and young adults.
  • Protection from UVR exposure starting in early childhood reduces the risk for skin cancer in adulthood.
  • Pediatricians can play key roles in counseling children and families to reduce UVR exposure.

Guidance on Minimizing Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure

Reducing overexposure to UVR is a key step needed to reduce the risk of skin cancer and other adverse health effects.

Prevention is Key to Safeguard Against UVR and Skin Cancer

  • Avoid intentional sunbathing and indoor tanning.
  • Wear clothing (preferably long-sleeved and long-legged) and hats to protect skin from UVR. A hat with a 3” all-around brim can shade the neck and cheeks.
  • Remember that shade or clouds reduce but do not eliminate exposure. Practice sun safety even on cloudy days, when in shady spots and during the winter.
  • Wear water-resistant sunscreen, specifically sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher, with broad spectrum (UVB and UVA) coverage, and sunglasses. Before use, check the expiration date and read the label directions. Apply on all skin areas not covered by clothing at least 15 minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours, or after swimming or sweating. Mineral-based sunscreen (e.g., zinc oxide) is preferable to chemical-based sunscreen (e.g., oxybenzone).
  • Lips also need protection. Apply a lip balm with SPF of 15 or above.
  • Pay attention to the UV Index and aim to avoid the sun during peak hours (10 AM – 4 PM).
  • Keep infants younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight.

UVR affects the skin, eyes and immune system.

  • Skin impacts include erythema and sunburn, tanning, phototoxicity, photoallergy, skin aging (photoaging), nonmelanoma skin cancer, and melanoma.
  • UVR rays can cause photokeratitis and focal burns to the retina, and are a risk factor for cataract development in adults.
  • The immune system impacts include skin cancer induction and immune suppression, both of which can lead to skin cancer.

Pediatricians will rarely encounter patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer or melanoma. High risk patients (with pigmentation disorders or a family history of skin cancer) should be followed in collaboration with a dermatologist.

Activities and sports are strongly encouraged — families should aim to do these outside during lower UV index times, in the shade, and when properly clothed.

For More Information about Ultraviolet Radiation

The following resources offer additional information regarding UVR:

 

To download a PDF version of this fact sheet, click here. 

 

 

This document was supported through cooperative agreement OT18-1802 awarded to the American Academy of Pediatrics and funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Environmental Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The contents of this publication are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Last Updated

01/10/2024

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics