Doctor on Call: Oklahoma pediatrician shares summer safety tips, from sunburns to bug bites

As Oklahoma temperatures rise and families spend more time outside, a local pediatrician is reminding parents to prioritize summer safety, especially when it comes to sunburns, insect bites, and sensitive skin.

Dr. Courtney Sauls with Ascension St. John Medical Center shared tips this week on how to protect kids from seasonal risks and which go-to products she recommends for families.

“Sun safety, that's probably the most prevalent thing parents are thinking about right now, especially as things are starting to heat up and we've got high UV indexes,” Dr. Stahls said. “We're worrying about sunburns and sunscreen and protecting our kids.”

She brought several of her favorite summer safety items that she personally uses for her own children.

“So, the biggest thing with sun protection, first is going to be your clothing,” she said. “Big sun hats with a big, wide brim... that's going to keep their heads and faces protected from the sun.”

For swimming, Dr. Sauls recommends, “We wear long-sleeve, lightly colored swim tops, and that's going to help protect against sunburns as well.”

Choosing the Right Sunscreen for Kids

When it comes to sunscreen, parents should look for mineral-based products.

“So for children, you're going to want to do the mineral-based sunscreen,” she said. “They're going to protect their skin the best and has less exposure to those chemicals that we might use in adult sunscreens.”

One of her top picks: “This Blue Lizard brand is one of my favorites. It's really good for gentle skin.”

She also recommends using sun sticks: “They're so small, great for applying onto the face. Putting sunscreen on kids' faces is sometimes a challenge... so I love a little sun stick.”

Dr. Sauls says sunscreen should be applied “about 20, 30 minutes before you go out in the sun and reapply every two hours to get your skin most protected.”

If a child does get a sunburn, she suggests, “Some cool rags is going to help cool that sunburn off, and then also aloe vera is a great option to help soothe a painful sunburn.”

“If the sunburn is blistering, has these big, giant blisters, is so painful, that they're having a hard time sleeping... that's when it's probably a good idea to go see your doctor or go to St. John Urgent Care or an ER visit if it's really, really intense.”

Preventing and Treating Insect Bites

For insect protection, especially against mosquitoes, Dr. Sauls emphasizes safer application methods.

“I really love these Off! wipes that I've brought,” she said. “Deet is going to be your biggest protectant against mosquitoes, although sometimes it can be rough on sensitive skin.”

Parents can also apply sprays safely: “Spray it on your hands as the adult, wipe them together, and then rub it on your child's skin.”

After being outdoors, she says it’s important to clean up: “You're going to want to make sure that when you come inside or out of the deep woods that you're washing off their skin with a washcloth or a wipe.”

Handling Allergic Reactions from Bug Bites

If a child gets a strong reaction to a bite, Dr. Sauls recommends having antihistamines and creams on hand.

“Your Zyrtec is going to be your antihistamine that's going to help calm down that reaction and help with the itching,” she said.

Hydrocortisone cream can also help relieve irritation: “That can be found in the first aid section of the store twice a day on those really itchy bites.”

“Children, they love to itch... and then that can put them at risk for infection if they're itching their skin so much. So those two products are gonna help you best.”