Spending long hours at the beach or in the playground can lead to the development of sore sunburn among children. Take note that sunburn can lead to redness, swelling, blisters and pain that can cause a lot of discomfort to the child. Children who have sunburn will have a higher risk for skin cancer later in life.
You can easily manage sunburn depending on the severity of the burn sustained. As for cases of severe burns, they require medical care in order to avoid serious complications from developing. For minor sunburn, they can be easily treated at home. You can learn how to manage burns including sunburn by enrolling in a first aid course today.
Possible causes
The ultraviolet rays from the sun can easily burn the skin in a different way than heat. Take note that these rays can damage the substances inside the skin cells, resulting to inflammation and death of the superficial skin cells.
Children who have darker complexion have increased pigment or melanin in their skin. Even though children who have lighter complexions face a higher risk for sunburns, all types of skin tones can endure damage from the sun. Exposure to the sun during the peak daylight hours is usually intense and more likely to cause sunburns. Additionally, water is capable of reflecting more rays of the sun back on the skin, thus increasing the risk for sunburn.
How to provide comfort to the child with harsh sunburn
When a child sustained harsh sunburn, a cool bath can help relieve the discomfort but avoid using soap though. You can also apply a cool compress on the affected areas to help reduce the pain. The child should be dressed in loose clothing or allow him/her to simply wear underwear while inside the house to prevent irritation of the tender skin. Always keep the child away from sun exposure until the burn completely heals.
Home treatment
Acetaminophen for children can help reduce the pain caused by sunburn. Make sure that the packaging directions are followed regarding the dosage. You can also use over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream that should be applied 3 times in a day to reduce the pain and swelling of the skin. Moisturizers and gels that contain aloe vera can also provide a soothing effect. Do not forget to provide the child with fluids to drink to keep him/her properly hydrated.
When to consult a doctor
A doctor should be consulted if the child experiences chills, fever, headache or the skin starts to blister. Babies younger than 6 months should not be exposed to direct sunlight. If the child is less than one year old and sustained sunburn, a doctor should be consulted.
Children who sustained severe sunburn might develop heat exhaustion or even heat stroke which is more severe. If the child feels nauseated, weak, dizzy, faints or appears sick, transfer him/her to a cool place and remove his/her clothing and consult a doctor right away. In case a doctor cannot be reached and the fever is higher than 104 degrees F, emergency care is required.