The Use of Photoprotection in Children of Prague Agglomeration
Malina L., 1Polášková S., 2Pokorný A.
Katedra dermatovenerologie IPVZ, Praha 1Dermatovenerologická klinika 1. LFUK a VFN, Praha 2Pediatrická pracoviště – ordinace pro děti a dorost, Kněževes, Jeneč |
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Summary:
Background. Development of skin melanoma is related to the higher exposition to ultraviolet light, namely to the
repeated sun burning of children. Because no valid information on the use of photoprotection in children can be
found, an extensive search on the use of such measures, their galenic form and protective features was undertaken in
order to evaluate the situation and to suggest necessary improvements.
Methods and Results. A group of 140 children aged 3 to 15 years, part of the group living in Prague, another part
living outside the city was examined whether they use some local photoprotection during longer exposition to sun. If
the answer was positive, it was followed in which season the photoprotection is used and whether it was used repeatedly.
We also questioned on the forms of the local photoprotectives and the value of solar protective factor.
Conclusions. Beside the description of sun tanning characteristics of children, we were informed by their parents that
59% of children use the photoprotection regularly, 41% only occasionally. The age of the first use of protection was
3.75 years. Photoprotection was used once a day in 28% of children, repeated use (during bathing, seashore stay, tourism)
was reported in 72% of cases. The galenic form of photoprotective was most frequently a sun tanning crŹme
(42%), a sun tanning milk (30%), both forms alternatively (8%), an oil (8%) or some other form (14%). The value of
photoprotective factor was reported by 108 out of 131 parents and it was less than 10 in 9 children, 11 to 22 in 60
children, 21 to 40 in 36 children and over 40 in 3 children.
Key words:
UV-rays, photosensitivity, photoprotection, local photoprotectives, solar photoprotective factor.
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