Can Sunblock and Insect Repellant Be Used in Infants and Children
by Roland Larrabee, M.D.
I hear this question frequently from parents of infants and young children (age less than 6 years). Thus, it would appear to me that guidelines are not readily available for parents to answer the question of whether these products are safe to use in this age group. I hope the following will be of some help during the summer months.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has created the following 1999 policy statement:
- “It may be safe to use sunscreen on infants younger than age 6 months when adequate clothing and shade are not available. Parents can apply a minimal amount of sunscreen to small areas, such as the infant’s face and the back of the hands. There is no evidence that using sunscreen on small areas of a baby’s skin causes harm. Avoiding sun exposure and dressing infants in wide-brimmed hats, lightweight long pants and long-sleeved shirts are still the top recommendations from the AAP to prevent sunburn.”
Big umbrellas can also be helpful. Sunblocks are more protective and less irritating to sensitive skin than sunscreens and there are no reports of absorption through the skin. Ombrelle®, Shade UVA®, and Banana Boat Sunblock ® lotion for infants are useful brand-name products. One should be looking for products containing titanium dioxide or Parsol 1789, since they block UVA and UVB light frequencies.
With respect to insect repellants, the following policy comes from the American Academy of Pediatric Environmental Health, 1999:
- “DEET should be used in areas where there is concern about illness from insect bites (e.g., West Nile Virus). It can also be used when insects are likely to be a nuisance such as at barbecues or at the beach. To avoid any potential toxicity, in children from birth to age 5 years, use a concentration of 10% or less. Apply DEET sparingly only to exposed skin, and do not use DEET underneath clothing. Do not use DEET on the hands of young children, and avoid the eye and mouth areas. Do not apply DEET over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin. Wash treated skin with soap and water upon returning indoors. Do not use DEET near food. Avoid using combination DEET / sunscreen products to avoid overexposure to the DEET component. Citronella® and Skin-So-Soft® have mild repellant properties, but DEET is significantly more effective, and therefore the recommended product to prevent insect-borne infection.”
Dr. Larrabee is Associate Director of Family and Community Medicine at the Walter L. Aument Family Health Center, 317 S. Chestnut St., Quarryville.