Toddlers, sun, heat and sun cream!

[junkfoodaddict]

We're off to Turkey in about 8 weeks time. We have a 2 year old who has coped well with the heat in Madeira, in fact, the sun and swimming pool cleared up his eczema.

But the recent mini heatwave in the UK meant we used sun lotion for the first time since last summer. My CM put it on his face (nivea children's sensitive 50 factor) and he was covered in a rash for three days. He has also come out in what i thought/think is prickly heat on his arms, elbows, back of neck, legs, behind knees and upper thigh where his nappy is.

Last year we did use Aldi's own brand (Lacura I think) and he seemed fine.

But not sure if we should use 50 or 30 factor in Turkey end of July/beginning of August.

GP did give us sunsense roll on 50 factor last year which he was fine with but the roll on lasts only a few days as it's so small!

Any advice would be appreciated.

I am not a toddler but my skin mostly hates the sun - not eczema but itchy bumps (prickly heat or maybe PMLE) & this holiday I used sunsense toddler milk SPF 50 - a 125ml bottle is c £11 on various websites (inc amazon) & it's been fantastic!

It goes on really easily (give a good shake every time though) spreads well & for me has lasted all day on the few exposed bits, I'm very pleased with it.

If he goes in water it'll prob need re-applying so maybe get 2 bottles just in case? (Does he have those sun screening clothes too?)

My 3 year old and half a dozen other children I know react badly to the Nivea Factor 50 sunscreen. My HV said she had come across a lot of children that reacted badly to it. Hopefully if you try another sun cream your dc will be fine.

I am tempted to by the sunsense. How long does a 125ml bottle last for? I may be tempted to get 3 or 4 bottles. Luggage not an issue as he gets his own this time.
We do have an all in one swimsuit (top and shorts - he doesn't get on well with the all-in-one) and even in Madeira he wore it between 11am and 3pm.
I am just a worrying mum!

I'd recommend boots soltan lotion. Nivea, despite the price only gets 3 starts in terms of uv protection which is actually one of the lowest scores on the market. Factor 50 definitely.

I'd also recommend uv swim wear not only for the heat but also as you'll have less area to cover with lotion! Next have some cute sets. I've even bought my 9&7 year olds uv tops that can be zipped over their costumes etc during hotter times. We are going to turkey too, having been in early may when it was roasting I expect June-August to be mid 30s.

we were given sunsense by GP because every lotion we tried during his first summer aggravated his eczema. it was by chance that we 'found' Aldi's last year but I always think what works one year, may not the next.
I think I may invest in some more UV top and short sets. I agree, I liked them because it meant it was only his face, neck, arms and legs I had to cover in sun lotion.

Fwiw, for 6 days I've been putting it on both arms to above the elbow, both feet/ankles, face, neck & chest - one application lasts all day & I reckon I've used no more than 1/4 of the bottle. My arms alone probably = a toddler's exposed bits of arm & leg

As I said it goes on really easily, spreads out & soaks in after a few minutes. But maybe getting 3 or 4 would be worth it for peace of mind & you could still use it next year!

you should be using suncream on exposed skin regardless of temperature in the UK from April to October, and for longer as you get nearer the equator.

put kid in a sunsuit, which will reduce the area that needs cream.

I can recommend Green People kids' sun-cream for sun sensitive/eczema-prone skin. It's one of the few creams my dd can use on her face without reacting, although bizarrely she can use some of the cheaper sensitive/fragrance-free sprays on her body.
Look out for 'parfum' on the ingredients of even sensitive-skin creams.

Turkey is going to be very hot at that time so I would use a factor 50.

Where are you staying? We are going to Turkey end of July too

Be careful with the sunsmart tops as they are very hot when not wet. Great for in the pool/beach but not good for just hanging around in. We have found for our eczema prone toddler that long sleeve button up cotton shirts are best. Not T-shirt material but like proper shirt material. We tend to go for a loose fit. then long cotton trousers. Plus the broadest brimmed hat. We actually got a hat that was 4-6 for our two year old and that meant his whole face was in the shade. It's a school hat with a very stiff brim.
In terms of suncrean you have two that work well why not get the cheaper one in a larger pack then get a couple of roll on ones to keep in your hand bag to reapply through the day/after swimming/sweating. Oh yes and the highest factor reapplied every 2-4 hours (depending on brand).

Sootica We're staying at Marmaris Palace in Icmeler.
I have never put sun cream on my child everyday through April to October. He does need vitamin D. I only put it on him when sunny and the UV is medium to high.
I think he found the all in one UV suit last year COLD when out of the water rather than hot. He seems to get on better with the top and shorts rather than the all in one.

I'm sort of assuming you are heading into 30-40 degree heat that tends to make them a bit sweaty as they don't breathe so . If it's under 30 it might not be an issue but I know I can't keep my own sun top on if I'm out of the water as it's too hot.

UV suits will indeed be cooling when out of the water, that is evaporation for you. So you take two, change the kid when it gets out of the pool and put the wet one to dry.

conversely, if you are too hot just get back in the water for a few minutes.

10 mins out in the sun in the UK will generate enough vitamin D. Beyond that - cream, cover or burn.

8 bottles of Lacura set me back 22! Scandalous!!
DEFINITELY using factor 50 for DS and we're having factor 30. So bought 3 tubes for DS and 5 bottles between me and DH.
Just got to persuade him to wear a hat now!

Daughter was allergic to all suncream except Clarins watersports spray oil!! I know!!!Neither that high a factor nor cheap!!! Got some Avenue I think its called in Madeira once when the other one ran out and it wasn't too bad. Boots stock it now...hadn't heard of it back then (10yrs ago).