I'm not sure if there is a correlation between autism and being easily sunburnt. I do know that for me and my youngest, we definitely have trouble maintaining body temperature and often get sunburned easily. My oldest takes after his father and very rarely burns. Or at least, that had been the case.
This summer the boys have burned more easily than ever before. I started buying Coppertone for Kids SPF 50 continuous spray sunblock. You get two bottles (6 oz each) for $12.50. Quite expensive, but SO worth it! That stuff rocks! We get tans with that stuff on but we never, ever burn. I even use it for myself although it's labeled "for kids." I need the higher SPF than most adults seem to.
Well, yesterday my housemates watched my children while my husband and I slept in. That was VERY kind of them! They decided to go away for the weekend to a family member's house and so woke me up because my kids were going to stay in the pool. I didn't think anything of it. I let them swim for another hour or two and then called them in. They were pink all over and I thought "Ut oh!"
Sure enough, no one had put sunblock on them. My oldest said he thought we were out; otherwise, he would have done it for himself and brother. I wonder if my roommate thought the same thing. Or maybe she didn't think about it all because her kids rarely burn. They are out in the sun a lot and I think the kids' skins have adjusted to the rays of the sun, whereas my kids stay indoor much more than hers does. So, maybe that's the difference. I'm not sure.
But I do know that my youngest now has a second-degree sunburn. Learn from us. Use sunblock EVERY TIME. If someone is babysitting, make sure they know where it is and to use it. Even if your children do not burn easily, it's best for them to have it on anyway to protect against other types of sun damage and skin cancer later in life. Develop those good habits now, and they will keep them up later.
Comments (3)
So odd that you mention this because I saw a tweet the other day asking if people had autistic children who do NOT tan. (sorry, can't remember who tweeted this)
My son with autism just happens to be the only one who can get a tan in our family but that is most likely because he spends more time outdoors on a consistent basis.
I'm a sunscreen fanatic. I have 4 spray cans of the 50 block and my oldest hates it when I fuss about it but I point out that our neighbor just died this spring of skin cancer and I saw my dad suffer with 2nd degree burns from a trip to the beach.
I feel for your boys and hope they feel better soon.
@P1AutismMom - Thanks. It's like day 2 and the oldest is tanned now. The youngest is still requiring aloe rubs and apple cider vinegar baths. He can't raise his shoulders without it hurting; so, of course, his brother decided it'd be funny to make his brother flinch and hurt himself. *shakes my head* Then Thomas spent the evening taking care of his younger brother to pay for it (i.e. get him a glass of water, serve his plate for dinner, etc.).
Definitely was a freak about sunblock before and am even more so now. The lesson I had learned was to make sure babysitters know it. :)
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