All in the Family: Do kids a favor, keep them out of tanning booths

About this time of year, many of us begin to tire of the frigid cold, lack of sunshine, and we no longer appreciate shoveling the driveway after 6 inches of snow. We tire of the sloppy slush marking trails throughout the house. Even the children have grown weary of indoor weather. I can tell because they no longer delight in drawing pictures on my windows with their spit, and their favorite activity of bickering over nothing has become a bore. About this time of year spring fever hits, and people start contemplating ways to make summer come sooner. For some, this means a spring trip to Destination Sunshine. For others, it means hitting the tanning salons to put winter in its place. It makes sense that a dose of sunshine can cure spring fever, but did you know fake bakes can cause something worse?

Some kids tan when they get tired of looking like a snowman. Some hit the beds to get a base tan before going on vacation. Others want to look great for prom, and look to tanning beds to provide their special glow. Whatever the reason, kids and parents must understand how dangerous tanning beds can be.

Recent research shows that when tanning beds are used before the age of 30, there is a 75 percent increased risk of developing Melanoma. UV radiation of the eye can be up to 100 times greater in tanning beds, resulting in increased chances of cataracts, corneal burn, and retinal damage.

When Sunshine begs to go tanning, do her a favor and decline. Avoid tanning booths prior to vacations, as you are not sparing the sunburn but rather increasing chances for developing melanoma. Remind Sunshine that the best way to avoid a sunburn is to use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater. Don't forget protective eyewear such as sunglasses with UV protection.

When Sunshine swears she will look like an albino if you don't let her tan, remind her that this is a natural look during the dead of winter. Then, encourage alternatives to tanning. Self-tanning lotions have improved over time, and not all leave orange lines streaking down the calf. These products are generally considered safe, and stay on for about five to seven days. Most self-tanning sprays, lotions, or creams do not contain sunscreen, so you must still apply sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 before heading outside.

Airbrush tans can be achieved in minutes, producing a natural, even tan. The main ingredient, DHA, is FDA approved. Again, this product does not contain sunscreen, so be sure to use some.

Sunshine may ask about sunless tanning pills. These pills can turn the skin orange to brownish, and also can induce nausea, diarrhea and cramping, which are not fun accessories on prom night. These pills are generally considered unsafe and are not FDA approved.

Turns out, tanning salons and kids aren't a good combination. When spring fever hits, try safer alternatives to satisfy Sunshine's burning desire. Without the burn, of course.

' Ann-Marie Berg is a Cedar Rapids mom and pediatric nurse practitioner. Write to her at features@sourcemedia.net.