What do toothpaste and diaper cream have in common?

Both have great sunscreens in them!

Most diaper creams have zinc oxide, which lifeguards have been putting on their noses for years.  And toothpaste uses titanium dioxide as a whitener.

Both zinc and titanium make great sunscreens.  They effectively block the UV light that damages skin and causes skin cancers. I recommend Blue Lizard brand to all my patients.  It comes in a bottle that changes color when it is exposed to UV light.  It stays on in the water (though you should reapply after swimming).  Start protecting your kids’ skin today.

Don’t be fooled by SPF.  SPF 30 is what you need.  Less is worse, more is just gimmick.

What about vitamin D deficiency?

Blocking out all that UV light, while good for protecting against sun damage, can lead to low vitamin D levels.  To counteract that, we should all be taking extra vitamin D in the form of a vitamin tablet.

Formula fed babies get vitamin D from the formula.  If they drink a quart of formula a day, they will be fine, assuming they are healthy.

Breast fed babies should get a supplement such as Tri-Vi-Sol daily starting at or shortly after birth.

Flintstones vitamins have 400 units of vitamin D, and they taste great.  So does a quart of whole milk.  In general, we do not want toddlers consuming that much milk, so after weaning, one half a Flintstones Vitamin crushed once a day, in addition to 16 ounces vitamin D milk is fine.  There are foods that contain vitamin D, like cod liver oil and sardines.  I have never eaten cod liver oil or sardines, so I don’t ask my patients to either.  Starting at age 4, a whole tablet a day is good, and at age 10, two tablets a day.

Disclaimer:  I have no financial interest in the products recommended above.  (But I wish I did.)  As always, your particular child may have needs that vary from the general advice I have given.  Consult your physician.

Michael G. Martin, M.D.