(ARA) - Teaching kids healthy habits can be tough. From learning how to apply sunscreen to knowing how often to bathe, kids need help from mom and dad on caring for their bodies - including their skin, hair and nails. Some of the American Academy of Dermatology's tips for parents and their children to care for skin, hair and nails include: * Use peanut butter to get gum out of hair. * Avoid using hair styling products near the face to prevent acne. * Wear sunscreen every day to prevent skin cancer and premature aging. Even on a cloudy day, up to 80 percent of the sun's ultraviolet rays can pass through the clouds. * Don't use tanning beds. There is no such thing as a safe tan. * Put an ice pack on a bruise to reduce swelling. If it's a bad bruise, elevate the area above your child's heart for about 15 minutes to keep the bruising and swelling to a minimum. The American Academy of Dermatology provides information about caring for skin, hair and nails for kids ages 8 to 12 and their parents on its Web site, www.KidsSkinHealth.org. The children's section of the Web site features interactive games with Sammy the Skin Cell where kids can catch bugs, explore mazes and zap ultraviolet rays. The site also explains how skin, hair and nails work and how to take care of them, as well as fun facts including: * An inch of skin has 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels and at least 1,000 nerve endings. * You lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day. * Hairstyles that pull the hair, like ponytails and braids, can cause hair loss. * Fingernails grow faster than toenails, and nails grow faster in the summer than in the winter. For parents, the Web site provides additional information on how to help their children properly care for their skin, hair and nails, as well as information about adult conditions like rosacea and psoriasis. The adult tips are more in-depth and range from how to help your child prevent acne to how to know if your child's insect bite is dangerous and should be brought to your doctor's attention. Courtesy of ARAcontent |
