Children under six months of age should never have sunscreen applied to their skin, but should be protected by avoiding too much time outdoors. The sun's UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. To the extent you can, limit exposure to the sun during these hours. The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent overexposure to the sun's rays. The UV Index Describes the Next Day's Likely Levels of Exposure To UV Rays. While you should always take precautions against overexposure, you should take special care to adopt the safeguards recommended above when the UV Index predicts exposure levels of moderate or above.
Some medications cause serious sun sensitivity, as do some diseases, such as lupus erythematosus.
The UV Index is not intended for use by seriously sun-sensitive individuals. Consult your doctor about additional precautions you may need to take. Although many of the sun's worst effects do not appear until later in life, recent medical research has shown that it is very important to protect children and teenagers from overexposure to UV radiation. The majority of most people's sun exposure occurs before age 20, and studies increasingly suggest a link between early exposure and skin cancer as an adult. SUN WISE Take special care with children, since they spend more time outdoors than adults and can burn more quickly.