How to Soothe a Sunburn on a Child

Little girl in a yellow straw hat playing with a bucket in an inflatable pool on the beach

Many children enjoy playing outdoors in Tampa, Florida, where summer is virtually endless. And while you may want to encourage your child to have fun in the sun, you also want to do your best to protect him or her from harmful UV rays. A child’s delicate skin can easily burn, and sun damage is a risk factor for skin cancer. The best defense against sunburn is a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.

Even if you do your best to slather your child in sunscreen, however, it can be easy to miss a spot or two, especially if he or she is squirming and anxious to play. Plus, sunscreen needs to be reapplied at least every two hours, and it can be difficult to keep up with an active kid who is constantly in and out of the ocean or a pool. Finally, you might simply be caught off-guard on a bright sunny day, or forget to pack sunscreen for an outing.

Here’s what to do if your child gets too much sun:

Get Out of the Sun Immediately

If you notice your child’s skin starting to turn pink, head indoors or seek shade right away. Staying out in the sun will not only worsen your child’s sunburn but also put him or her at risk for heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Cool Off

On your way home, apply a cool, damp towel to your child’s sunburned skin. Then, draw a cool bath, which can help remove heat from burned skin. Afterward, apply a moisturizing lotion or aloe vera gel, which can be effective for soothing a sunburn. Avoid products that contain petroleum, which can trap heat in the skin, or benzocaine or lidocaine, which can irritate a sunburn. Finally, dress your child in loose, tightly woven clothes and keep him or her out of the sun. Plan some fun indoor activities instead.

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

A sunburn draws fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body, so it will be important for your child to stay well-hydrated to prevent dehydration. Fill a large, easy-to-carry bottle with ice-cold water and encourage your child to drink from it frequently.

A mild sunburn should improve within a few days. However, symptoms such as severe pain, blistering skin, facial swelling, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, and confusion warrant immediate medical attention.

For more tips on how to soothe a sunburn on your child, contact or visit South Tampa Immediate Care in Tampa, FL, or book a virtual visit today. You also have the option to make a reservation online.