Self-Care Guidelines
If your child has suffered a sunburn, further direct sun exposure should be avoided for a few days. Cool water or cool milk soaks may help soothe the affected areas. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help decrease the redness and pain. Applying a greasy cream or ointment may actually make the pain worse by trapping the heat on the skin. Make sure to have the child drink lots of fluids.
Do not attempt to break any blisters that may form; you can cover these with gauze if necessary. If any break on their own, a topical antibiotic ointment can be applied. A moisturizer can help with skin peeling afterward. Avoid topical products that end in "-caine" as they can sometimes further irritate the skin.
Prevention is very important. To reduce risk of skin cancer later in life, sunburns should be prevented.
- Avoid direct sun in the middle of the day (10 AM to 3 PM). Remember: snow and water reflect light to the skin, and clouds still let a lot of light through, so your child may still be exposed to ultraviolet light even on cloudy days.
- Use a hat with a wide brim. A baseball cap does not give much protection.
- Cover up with tightly woven clothing. Some manufacturers make specialty clothing with a high sun protection factor (SPF) rating, or you can purchase a special ingredient to be added to your washer that can "wash" SPF into your child's clothing.
- Use sunscreen on all exposed skin areas, including the lips, before going outdoors. A broad spectrum (blocks UVB and UVA light), with an SPF of at least 30, is best. Apply generously 30 minutes before going outdoors, and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating a lot.
Familiarize yourself with the moles, freckles, and other marks on your child's body so that you can spot any changes in them, including shape, size, color, or other changes, such as bleeding or itching.
When to Seek Medical Care
See your child's doctor for evaluation if he or she has severe discomfort and inflammation with a sunburn.
Signs and Symptoms
