To not use sun cream on my toddler?

[InterOuta]

Toddler has brown Asian skin and doesn't tan or brown easily. Also has vitamin D deficiency.

AIBU to not use sun cream on him?

Yes!

Nope! He needs his vit D! Is he getting supplements?

I'd still keep him out of the sun between 12 and 2, though.

Do people with brown asian skin not get skin cancer then?

As long as he is covered up and not in direct sunlight he should be ok. He can have a short period of sun exposure but for longer periods he should be covered with sleeves, hat, etc with suncream on any exposed areas

[[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8570542.stm this]]

Apparently yes as melatonin only has an SPF of around 15 so DNA damage can still occur after that.... So basically, if they'll be in the sun for more than a couple hrs it's necessary to help prevent against skin cancer long term. This is a really easy fast based query to Google, BTW! ;)

That's a good question. Skin colour is supposed to be protective against UV rays.

I would speak to your doctor though.

I work in a health care setting. We recently had a visit from the cancer awareness team who were trying to promote the use of sun protection amongst the Asian population.

*fact based

Hat on, keep him out of the heat of the day but get outside in the sun.

Asian people get skin cancer at a much lower rate than white people.

www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/statistics/race.htm

hedgehogs. Tried to link a BBC piece (albeit from 2010) that children from ethnic minorities (Asian and Afro-caribbean) are more likely to suffer from rickets ...

I rarely put it on DD (fairly pale white skin). I do if she's going to be in it all day, but prefer to let her have an hour or 2's exposure (outside of lunchtime hours) before blocking it with 30SPF.

I would put it on if he is out for a long time or in the middle of the day.

Google is your friend.

Bob Marley died of skin cancer

www.skincancer.org/prevention/skin-cancer-and-skin-of-color

Bob Marley didn't live in Surrey.

The point is that people who are not Caucasian are not immune from the effects of the sun.

It's a double edged sword. On the one hand, you need sunlight to make Vitamin D. But too much and you risk skin cancer.

Lol at mrs pratchett

Bob Marley didn't live in Surrey.

Yes Bob Marley died of skin cancer and a Caribbean friend of mine got sunburnt in Thailand. I'm mixed race and wear factor 15 even in winter. It will take your son longer to burn but he will still burn and can still get skin cancer.

Interestingly there's evidence that some white people are protecting themselves from the sun too much and are suffering from vit D deficiency. A friend was diagnosed when pregnant. Basically we all need to be careful but not go overboard.

But he had an acral melanoma to be fair and they are much less influenced by UV exposure.

I would use sun cream when very sunny, for prolonged exposure. All toddler skin is delicate and can burn.

Presume you are on supplements for the vit D deficiency.

There's also evidence that the further North you are, the less "useful" sunlight you get - so that affects Vitamin D and also affects mood as well. Sunlight is very useful -but also potentially dangerous.

yanbu I dont use suncream on my toddler. I keep her well covered in cool long sleeved clothing. Mainly because her skin couldnt handle the creams. IF you limit time in the sun and keep an eye out for signs of tanning/burning you should be fine.

I'm sure I read something that said suncream isn't used properly anyway. It's not applied frequently enough and people stay in the sun for longer than they should because they think they're protected, leaving them more vulnerable to skin cancer.

YABU.

ANYONE can get skin cancer.

I did & have always been careful in the sun. It's a cloud over me for the rest of my days, everytime the sun appears I want to hide.

Check with your son's doctor but current NHS guidelines are that your child should get some exposure with no sun-cream on. For white European its for around 15 mins so longer for darker skin. Then the usual precautions should be taken. Is he on any supplements?