Mild sunburn may be relieved with a cool shower or cold water compresses, or by sitting in a tub of cool water to which a cup of cornstarch has been added. Doctors advise against self-care with ointments or lotions that contain the anesthetic benzocaine. They recommend ice packs wrapped in cloth to alleviate severe pain or itching (applying ice directly to skin can increase damage), and staying out of the sun until skin is completely healed. Of course, prevention is the best approach to sunburn. Dermatologists stress that there is no such thing as a “healthy” tan. Any time spent outdoors during the day, even if no tan results, exposes the skin to potentially harmful ultraviolet rays. This includes cloudy days. when 80 percent of UV radiation reaches the earth. Remember, too, that water and sand reflect the sun’s rays, thus increasing exposure. Many dermatologists now recommend daily use of protective clothing and a sunscreen on exposed skin all year round. Some makeup contain sunscreens, but most do not provide complete protection. Also, sunscreens vary in the amount of protection they provide. Look for one with a sun protection factor, or SPF, of at least 15 or more. Also look for a brand that protects against both UVA and UVB rays Many sunscreens contain para amino benzoic acid (PABA), to which some people are allergic. They can substitute sunscreens that contain benzophenone. If you are especially sunsensitive, you may need a sunblock, which prevents any UV rays from penetrating the skin. The most familiar sunblock is zinc oxide, the opaque white salve that some lifeguards use to cover their noses and lips. Similar protection for all parts of the face and body is now available iL less visible preparations made with micronized titanium dioxide. Do not apply sunscreens to babies under six months; instead, shield them from the sun. After six months, an alcohol free sunscreen may be used.
During pregnancy the baby receives oxygen and nourishment, and gets rid of carbon dioxide and waste products, via the placenta and the umbilical blood vessels. A healthy placenta that can perform all these functions effectively is crucial for the baby’s continuing health and well-being.
Assessment and treatment There’s no reliable way of checking whether your placenta is functioning properly. But doctors may suspect insufficiency if your uterus is growing too slowly, or if your baby’s development is less than normal.
Ultrasound is the most reliable way to measure your baby’s growth. If it shows that your baby is not growing as expected, your doctor may need to do more scans and make a biophysical profile that takes account of your baby’s breathing and body movements, the tone and quantity of amniotic fluid, and a non-stress test. You may also choose to keep a kick chart to check the baby’s activity levels-by 28 weeks there should be 10 kicks per hour-but this is less useful than scans or fetal heart recordings. Placental insufficiency may mean that labor needs to be induced or even that you have to have a cesarean section.
