If your child is age 1 or older and his skin is just a little pink and tender, you probably don't need to call the doctor. (See more details under "When to call the doctor," below.) Just try to keep him as comfortable as possible until the burn heals, and follow these tips.
Do's and don'ts for treating and soothing sunburnDo
- Offer plenty of fluids: breast milk or formula if your child is a baby, water and other liquids if he's older. This helps the skin heal and replaces fluids lost by being out in the sun.
- Soak a clean, soft washcloth in cool water, wring it out, and gently place it on the sunburned area for ten to 15 minutes a few times a day, making sure your child doesn't get chilled.
- Try a cool bath. To make it more soothing, add baking soda or an oatmeal-based bath treatment (found in drugstores). Pat your child's skin dry – don't rub!
- Apply a water-based (alcohol-free) moisturizing lotion or an aloe vera gel to relieve itching. Itching can get worse if the burn starts to peel.
- If your child's hurting, you can probably give him the correct dose of children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease the pain. If you have a baby younger than 12 months, ask the doctor when you call whether it's okay to offer a pain reliever. (Ibuprofen is recommended for children 6 months and up.) Never give your child aspirin. It can put him at risk for a sometimes fatal condition called Reye's syndrome.
- Dress your child in loose clothing that won't irritate burned skin.
- Keep your child out of the sun until the burn has completely healed. It's very easy for a child who's already sunburned to get a second burn.
- Don't put petroleum-based products like petroleum jelly on your child's skin. These prevent heat and sweat from escaping and can make a burn worse. The same goes for butter and oils.
- Don't use first-aid sprays or ointments that contain benzocaine. Benzocaine can irritate skin or cause an allergic reaction.
- Don't pop any blisters. Blisters form to protect your child's underlying skin, and breaking them open can lead to infection. If they do break, apply an antibiotic ointment and a nonstick wound dressing. Don't trim off the dead skin.
Call the doctor right away if your baby has a sunburn.
If a child age 1 or older has a mild sunburn and his skin is just a little pink and tender, you don't need to call the doctor.
Note: You may not notice a sunburn right after you bring your child indoors. The redness and pain of a mild first-degree burn can take several hours to appear.
Call the doctor if your child:
- starts to blister in the first 24 hours
- has swelling on his hands or face
- has signs of infection (pus or red streaks)
- is running a fever or has chills
- has a headache
- seems to be in extreme pain or just doesn't feel well
- vomits, feels lightheaded, or faints
A sunburn is literally burned skin. Your child's skin is very thin and very sensitive, so it can burn quickly.
A sunburn might be a first-degree burn, which causes redness, mild swelling, and pain. A second-degree burn is more serious. It's more painful, with more swelling, redness, and blisters.
A first-degree burn usually heals in two to five days. A second-degree burn can last for a couple of weeks.
If your child has spent too much time in the sun, he may also be at risk for heat stroke.
What if my child's skin starts peeling?
Don't be alarmed if the sunburned skin starts to peel. Peeling is a natural part of the healing process. It usually begins a few days after the sunburn happens.
Is skin damage from the sun worth worrying about?
Yes. A sunburn means that the skin has been damaged by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and exposure to UV radiation from the sun is the number one cause of all types of skin cancers. Some studies suggest that severe sunburns during childhood cause melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – later in life.
Because children's skin is more sensitive than adults' skin, children are more prone to sunburn and skin damage. Fair-haired, pale-skinned, freckled, and green- or blue-eyed children are most at risk for skin damage and cancer from sun exposure, but ultraviolet radiation is dangerous for everyone.
How can I keep my child from getting a sunburn?
It's not hard, but you have to be diligent. A child can get burned after only ten to 15 minutes of exposure, even on a cloudy or cool day.
Dress your child for outdoor activities in long sleeves, pants, and a hat, and apply sunscreen. Keep him in the shade as much as possible, although shade provides only partial protection against sunburn.
The sun is most dangerous between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., but the skin is exposed to UV rays during all daylight hours, year round, even when it's cloudy.
Put sunscreen on any exposed areas of skin. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15 and apply it liberally about 15 to 30 minutes before you head outdoors, to give it a chance to be absorbed. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if your child is sweating a lot or has been in the water.