As a JM parent, you’ve likely heard about the critical role that sun exposure and other environmental factors can play in juvenile myositis. In collaboration with leading experts, we have curated a list of products that can help protect your child from the UV rays that come from the sun and even harmful artificial light.
“I think sunscreen should be a daily part of life for people with a sun-sensitive condition. So I think of this [sunscreen and sun protective clothing] as medicine. This is a medicine,” Dr. Kalyani Marathe, Division Director of Dermatology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, stated in a recent Cure JM “Ask the Doc” Town Hall. She also suggests that ultraviolet light from the sun can cause juvenile myositis to worsen.
Cure JM Foundation does not officially endorse any of the products, companies, or websites listed here. While most of these products, companies, and websites have been recommended by doctors and foundations, please do your own research before buying products. If you have any questions regarding the interaction between your child’s JM and a specific product, your doctor may be able to guide you. The Skin Cancer Foundation offers many wonderful recommendations for sunscreen, accessories, clothing, outdoor shade options, and window coverings. https://www.skincancer.org/recommended-products/
ONLINE SHOPPING
Cabana Life – a website offering sun-protective clothing for all ages https://www.cabanalife.com/index.php?cPath=2&osCsid=4ea2fb77410b9b511d0cf3061e326b5a
Columbia Sportswear – this outdoor store offers plenty of UV-protective clothing for men, women, and children www.columbia.com
Coolibar – this website, recommended by doctors and the Skin Cancer Foundation, offers both swimsuits and regular clothing for all ages www.coolibar.com
Free Fly Apparel – this company offers sun-protective bamboo clothing that is soft, quick drying, anti-odor, and breathable https://freeflyapparel.com
Lands Ends – search UPF clothing to find clothing that offers UV protection for all www.landsend.com
REI – this camping store carries popular UPF clothing like Columbia & as well as store brand clothing line; also a wide variety of UPF-rated hats – www.rei.com
Solumbra/Sun Precautions – this site offers UPF rated clothing www.sunprecautions.com/shop/all
UVSkinz – this website offers clothing and swimsuits with UPF 50+ certifications; children’s swimsuits are also available at Costco https://www.uvskinz.com
Vapor Apparel – this company has earned the Skin Cancer Foundations Seal of Recommendation and offers a wide variety of sun-protective clothing https://vaporapparel.com
LOCAL RETAILERS
Academy – a sporting/camping store carrying various brands of UPF clothing https://www.academy.com/
Columbia – has a line of UPF protective clothing which is carried by several local sporting goods/camping goods stores, ie – Dick’s Sporting Goods, Bass Pro Shops, REI, etc. https://www.columbia.com/
Land’s End – a practical and comfortable clothing store that offers UPF clothing in the form of rash guards and swim apparel https://www.landsend.com/
REI – this camping store carries popular UPF clothing like Columbia & as well as a store brand clothing line www.rei.com
Sunveil – Stores are located mostly in Canada, but they offer a range of sun-protective clothing for all ages https://www.sunveil.com/
WASH-IN
Rit Sunguard — a chemical UV protectant you wash in to clothing via washing machine -lasts for 20+ washes – $10.49/box = 1 load – better on cotton & cotton blends — sometimes available at Walmart or online at Amazon https://www.sunguarduv.com
SWIMSUITS/RASH GUARDS
Boden – rash guards are available with sun protection https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us
Coolibar – full-body suits also available http://www.coolibar.com
Fun Sun Wear – An Australian company for one piece adult & child/baby-sized swimsuits, also includes sports clothing, sun hats & accessories https://funsunwear.com.au/index.php
StingRay – an Australian company for one-piece swimsuits, rash guards, swim pants, etc. www.stingray.com.au
ACCESSORIES (SUNGLASSES, HATS, UMBRELLAS/PARASOLS, STROLLER COVERS, SHAWLS, SUNSHADES, ETC.)
Baby Banz – http://www.banzworld.com
Coolibar – www.coolibar.com
Solumbra/Sun Precautions – www.sunprecautions.com/shop/all
Sun Patch- a reusable waterproof sunblock patches for under the eyes https://sunpatch.com
Sunday Afternoons Hats – www.sundayafternoons.com
SUNSCREEN
Environmental Working Group – 2015 Sunscreen Guide – rated the efficacy & safety of 1,400 sunscreens, sun blocks, lip balms, and moisturizers on the basis of their advertising claims, etc., esp. in relation to their UV-protection claims. Lists include “Hall of Shame,” “Best of Sunscreens,” & “Find Your Sunscreen”. App for iPhone avail. www.ewg.org/2015sunscreen
For examples of great sunscreens for all colors of skin, watch our Town Hall with Dr. Angeles-Han and Dr. Marathe https://www.curejm.org/ask-the-doc-sun-protection-tricks-tips-for-summer-2023/
UV-MEASURING DEVICES
Apps are available on your phone for measuring the UV in your area.
CAR WINDOW TINTING
Types:
Shades attach with suction cups & raise/lower; fit side windows only – available via local stores.
Professional tinting companies can tint most car windows & provide manufacturer info for your to research re: UVA/VB before installation. Also be sure to know your local DMV regulations re: tinting. Every state has different laws about how dark the windows can be. Need a prescription to take the windows darker than the legal limit.
To learn more about the effects of light on JM patients, please watch the following insightful presentation by leading experts on this topic:
