A day at the beach or an afternoon at the playground can result in a painful sunburn for your child. Sunburn causes swelling, redness, blisters and paint that can leave your child miserable. How you should treat a sunburn depends on the severity of the burn. Severe burns require medical treatment to avoid serious complications. You can treat less severe burns at home. Watch your child from worsening symptoms and consult your doctor if the child doesn't respond to treatment.
Causes
Ultraviolet rays from the sun burn the skin, much like heat from a stove can burn skin. Children with more pigment, or melanin, in their skin, will burn less quickly than very fair-skinned children, but long exposure during peak daylight hours can result in burns for most people. Sand and water reflect more of the sun's rays back on the skin and increase the chances for a bad sunburn.
Treatment
A cool bath can soothe the burn and help reduce the fever that sometimes accompanies a bad sunburn. Cool compresses on the burned area can also help. Give your child ibuprofen or acetaminophen formulated for children to ease pain and reduce fever. Administer according to package directions. Aloe gel or moisturizers can also cool the skin and help relieve pain. The Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh advises parents not to use topical sprays that contain benzocaine, as these can irritate the skin. Keep your child out of the sun until the burn heals. Dress your child in loose clothing so as not to irritate burned skin.
When to Seek Medical Help
Nausea, vomiting, fainting or high fever can be a sign of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Seek medical attention immediately if your child has any of these symptoms. If a larger area of the skin is blistered, see a doctor. Blisters can become infected or lead to scarring. If your child only has a few blisters, don't pop them. This will help keep the blistered area from becoming infected.
Prevention
Have your child wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside. Re-apply often -- especially anytime your child goes in the water. Don't use sunscreens on infants younger than 6 months old. Stay out of the sun during the middle of the day. Wear a hat and protective clothing. Remember than burning rays can penetrate clouds, so wear sunscreen even on cloudy days.
