avoiding sun exposure

[SCmom3]

We'll be traveling to Disney World in May with our three children. Our youngest will have skin grafts that will be healing and we've been told to keep them out of the sun. Since they are on his hand, we can't really cover them with clothing. He'll be riding in the stroller which should keep him shaded plenty. I'm trying to figure out which rides and attractions are sunny, especially the queue areas. I'd appreciate any tips you could give me for keeping the sun off a 14 month old's hand as well. I was thinking of making him a mitten type sleeve from a rash guard shirt but I don't know if he'l wear it.

 

[M5ward]

You should discuss this with your doctor. Sun is reflective and even a stroller isn't much protection regardless of the canopy. If the grafts aren't all the way doen his fingers, maybe a lightweight cotton glove with the fingertips cut off would provide some protection.

 

[lanejudy]

I agree with PP that some type of glove or mitten will be the best way to limit sun exposure on his hands. The sun shines from different angles throughout the day, and there is simply no possible way to avoid it at WDW without wearing protective clothing.

Most rides are inside, though not all, and there is a lot of open space moving around the park from one attraction to another. Some lines are shaded, or partially shaded; the stroller canopy will help. I've seen some "oversized" stroller canopies that fit over the standard one, providing additional coverage.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[kirstenb1]

Definitely ask his doctor. I'd seriously think about looking outside the box, when it came to the hours I'd be in the parks. Maybe not even get there til after 4 or 5? Our younger dd is still in a stroller, and there is just a lot of open space when you're trying to get from one place to another.

I wonder if there's such a thing as a medical grade zinc oxide? Then cover it with lightweight gloves?

 

[Bete]

you may be able to create a bandage of sorts with guaze. There are some products out there that stick to itself when wrapping a wound. Maybe, even a regular band aid might work depending on the size and location.

A light blanket might work if you can convince the child to keep the hand covered up in it.

Maybe, a combination of mittens and guaze at the end of the mitten to prevent taking it off.

I, too, agree that your doctor may be your best bet to find out what would work the best. There may be medical lotions that would shield it. Maybe, a strong suntan lotion would work.

I know you should be looking at him often to make sure he's not taking whatever off.

Also, you may have to leave when the sun is out if all else fails.

 

[123LuckyMom]

Rides like Dumbo, Magic Carpets, the race cars (can't remember the ride name right now), Kali River Rapids, Thunder Mountain Railroad are unshaded. Most rides are shaded even if they're open to the air (like teacups, Jungle Cruise, or the safari ride). Still, for something as important as a skin graft, I would fashion a covering with long sleeved gloves. You never know whether the sun will be at an angle to rest on his hand. Also, you may want to see parades or meet characters, and your son will want to get out of the stroller. I would have a talk with your son and make wearing a glove a non-negotiable.

 

[buffettgirl]

We'll be traveling to Disney World in May with our three children. Our youngest will have skin grafts that will be healing and we've been told to keep them out of the sun. Since they are on his hand, we can't really cover them with clothing. He'll be riding in the stroller which should keep him shaded plenty. I'm trying to figure out which rides and attractions are sunny, especially the queue areas. I'd appreciate any tips you could give me for keeping the sun off a 14 month old's hand as well. I was thinking of making him a mitten type sleeve from a rash guard shirt but I don't know if he'l wear it.

Most queue lines are actually shaded now so the lines won't really be a problem but if remaining in the stroller helps then then you should get a stroller as a wheelchair GAC which will allow him to remain in his stroller throughout the regular line.

Greater exposure will come from the actual times between lines and there is not much you can do about that. I'm not sure if you've been to florida in May but the sun is bright and strong. There is very little shade in the parks as you're walking and a stroller alone won't keep the sun off him.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I suppose postponing the trip until his hands have healed is not an option?

I cannot imagine trying to keep a covering on a toddler's hands.

OP, good luck!

 

[DOREEN1779]

I do not know how small they make them....They make runner's shirts that cover the hands and leave the fingers exposed. They are very comfortable and are secured by a hole through the thumb. You can always wrap the rest of the fingers with a light gauze if neccessary.

 

[monorailsilver]

What about baseball gloves & cut the finger tips off.

I am not sure if there are water gloves (not sure what scuba divers wear if anything) but this way they will can get wet if he is swimming.

 

[buffettgirl]

also, the other problem is that in May it can get very very hot in Disney. I can't imagine a sweaty toddler, confined to a stroller, with no way to cool off - in the pool, sprinklers, etc.

 

[EpcotQueen]

When I was an Emergency Dept nurse we used to use a mesh called stockinet dressing on body areas like hands. Came in smaller sizes. Might work. Need to be clever with it and I suggest taking the dressing up to shoulder. Begin using well in advance of going to Disney to get him used to it. If he's had grafts he should be used to some sort of bandage on his hands.

 

[G719]

I saw a product in the one step ahead catalog called sun sleeves. I got on their website and it unfortunately says sold out but maybe you could call the company or search more online. Here is the product on their website:
http://www.onestepahead.com/product/Sun-Smarties-Sun-Sleeves/_/R-538261
Too bad it isn't available. It looks like exactly what you need but maybe you will have luck finding something similar.

ETA: found another:
http://www.coolibar.com/product/Boys-Swim-Sun-Sleeves/155993.uts?keyword=sun sleeves

 

[SueM in MN]

We'll be traveling to Disney World in May with our three children. Our youngest will have skin grafts that will be healing and we've been told to keep them out of the sun. Since they are on his hand, we can't really cover them with clothing. He'll be riding in the stroller which should keep him shaded plenty. I'm trying to figure out which rides and attractions are sunny, especially the queue areas. I'd appreciate any tips you could give me for keeping the sun off a 14 month old's hand as well. I was thinking of making him a mitten type sleeve from a rash guard shirt but I don't know if he'l wear it.

South Carolina sun is not much different than Florida sun, so anything you are doing at home to prevent sun exposure will also work for Florida.

If you plan to try rash guard shirts with mitten sleeves, I would try them now, so he has a chance to get used to them. If he's OK with them, the rash guard shirts may work better than gloves because they would be harder to get off.

I agree with the recommendation to talk to your child's doctor for one further suggestions. If they did not give you any specific guidelines, this page has some good suggestions for sun protection for grafted skin:
http://www.uwhealth.org/healthfacts...lexMember-Show_Public_HFFY_1116944263497.html

If the grafts are less than 6 weeks old, I would strongly, strongly consider rescheduling. The skin is most fragile then and some of the things you could do later, when the skin is less fragile, might not be OK before 6 weeks.
Even after 6 weeks, I would strongly consider waiting. It's just to hard to keep a 14 month old's hands out of the sun. And if your doctor said to avoid sun, going on a trip that includes many hours of potential sun exposure would not be good for the grafted skin.

A 14 month old is a hard age - they don't understand what you need them to do and most would be quite interested in pulling anything off that you put on to cover the hand - mittens or gloves could get hot and sweaty, which is not good for new skin. Bandages would be a choking hazard if he gets them off.
And, most 14 month olds are still mouthing things - which would mean you would really have to watch to prevent him from wearing off sunscreen.

You should discuss this with your doctor. Sun is reflective and even a stroller isn't much protection regardless of the canopy. If the grafts aren't all the way doen his fingers, maybe a lightweight cotton glove with the fingertips cut off would provide some protection.

The old common sense advice of staying out of the sun between 10am and 2pm when the sun is strongest will help some. You will need to still be aware of the sun angle and whether the canopy on the stroller is actually keeping the sun off his hands or not.

One poster mentioned extra sun shades and I did find a lot by doing a search for stroller SPF sunshade. Those would be worth looking into, but still may not prevent all sun exposure to his hands. Again, you will need to have someone watching the sun angle as you walk along.

Rides like Dumbo, Magic Carpets, the race cars (can't remember the ride name right now), Kali River Rapids, Thunder Mountain Railroad are unshaded. Most rides are shaded even if they're open to the air (like teacups, Jungle Cruise, or the safari ride). Still, for something as important as a skin graft, I would fashion a covering with long sleeved gloves. You never know whether the sun will be at an angle to rest on his hand. Also, you may want to see parades or meet characters, and your son will want to get out of the stroller. I would have a talk with your son and make wearing a glove a non-negotiable.

The issue is not really going to be the lines,it will be more the actual getting from place to place and sun exposure while riding.
Dumbo now has an indoor line, but while riding, guests are in the sun.

The Magic Carpet line is roofed, but while riding the carpets, you are in the sun.

The Tomorrowland Speedway line is partially shaded, but the ride is in the sun. That has a 32 inch height, so he may be too short.

He will be too short for Kali River Rapids and Thunder Mountain Railroad, but both of thm have lines that are mostly shaded or roofed anyway.

also, the other problem is that in May it can get very very hot in Disney. I can't imagine a sweaty toddler, confined to a stroller, with no way to cool off - in the pool, sprinklers, etc.

Yes - it can get very hot and the child will see other kids in the water play areas, where he can't go.

 

[SCmom3]

Thanks everyone for your help. I just looked at the sunsmarties and they are almost perfect I sew, so I think I can make him a modified version that will cover the affected area.
To clarify, his surgery which necessitated the skin graft was planned long before this trip was booked. We double checked with his surgeon to insure that he would be in the clear to travel to Florida. His surgery will have been 2 months prior to the trip and according to the doctor, he will be fine to swim or play in splash pad areas.
He's not barred from all sun exposure but I do want to minimize it as much as possible. Our whole family is pretty pale so we are very careful about sun exposure/sun block/etc.

 

[buffettgirl]

Thanks everyone for your help. I just looked at the sunsmarties and they are almost perfect I sew, so I think I can make him a modified version that will cover the affected area.
To clarify, his surgery which necessitated the skin graft was planned long before this trip was booked. We double checked with his surgeon to insure that he would be in the clear to travel to Florida. His surgery will have been 2 months prior to the trip and according to the doctor, he will be fine to swim or play in splash pad areas.
He's not barred from all sun exposure but I do want to minimize it as much as possible. Our whole family is pretty pale so we are very careful about sun exposure/sun block/etc.

ahhh. Well that's at least better sounding! Have a good trip.

I do think your time between rides will be more problematic in the end, so your stroller, arm sleeves and whatever else you can find should really help the most

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Thanks everyone for your help. I just looked at the sunsmarties and they are almost perfect I sew, so I think I can make him a modified version that will cover the affected area.
To clarify, his surgery which necessitated the skin graft was planned long before this trip was booked. We double checked with his surgeon to insure that he would be in the clear to travel to Florida. His surgery will have been 2 months prior to the trip and according to the doctor, he will be fine to swim or play in splash pad areas.
He's not barred from all sun exposure but I do want to minimize it as much as possible. Our whole family is pretty pale so we are very careful about sun exposure/sun block/etc.

When I read your OP I thought why not just sew something up? Now I see you do sew and that is perfect. I would say why not make the bowling shirt by Carla C, my favorite because it can be so much fun! For the sleeves make them long sleeves out of a light weight fabric that compliments the shirt but then have them go past the hands. Put elastic at the end of the sleeves and pull it to close enough so little hands don't come out easy but you could pull up the sleeves a bit if it were night.

Let me know if you would like me to draw this for you. Have a great trip.

 

[Annielkd22222]

I break out in a rash from sun exposure, and I am able to get by at Disney well with. GAP. I do watch where I go, and get out of the sun completely from 1 to 4 . I really think you have good advice from your doctor. Good luck with the glove, I think that might irritate him/ her though. You really can avoid sun exposure for the most part.

 

[SCmom3]

When I read your OP I thought why not just sew something up? Now I see you do sew and that is perfect. I would say why not make the bowling shirt by Carla C, my favorite because it can be so much fun! For the sleeves make them long sleeves out of a light weight fabric that compliments the shirt but then have them go past the hands. Put elastic at the end of the sleeves and pull it to close enough so little hands don't come out easy but you could pull up the sleeves a bit if it were night.

Let me know if you would like me to draw this for you. Have a great trip.

I just looked up that pattern, that is adorable. I like the idea of a one long-sleeve shirt. If he can't get out of it, he'll get used to it. He's in a cast from arm pit on down so that would be an improvement for him anyway.

 

[buffettgirl]

I just looked up that pattern, that is adorable. I like the idea of a one long-sleeve shirt. If he can't get out of it, he'll get used to it. He's in a cast from arm pit on down so that would be an improvement for him anyway.

another easy idea would be to just buy a long sleeved 'rash guard' type shirt in a larger size than needed and simply sew in some elastic or drawstring down at the hands.