Sunburn

From WikiParenting

Your child will probably develop sunburn at some point in childhood. They may not know that they are burnt until their skin develops the distinctive red coloring later that evening.

[edit] Signs and symptoms

They may feel pain, heat from their skin and may have the chills. Their skin may feel itchy and tight, and may begin to peel off about a week after the burn.

[edit] Treatment

Here is what you need to know to treat the burn and lessen their suffering.

• Do not let your child receive any more exposure to the damaging effects of the sun until the burn is healed. After the skin has healed, make sure that they are protected with sunscreen whenever they are in the sun.
• Give them a tepid bath to ease their pain and reduce tissue damage, or place cool wet washcloths on the skin.
• Apply aloe vera gel to the affected areas. It moisturizes and promotes healing in the skin.
• Give them non aspirin pain relievers for their pain, or use specially formulated topical preparations such as spray on “after sun” products that are available over the counter.
• Do not use home remedies such as butter or other creams as they hold in heat and make the burn worse.

If your child has blisters on their skin, contact your healthcare provider. Instruct your child not to pop the blisters because sunburned skin is vulnerable to infection.

[edit] When to seek medical attention

Watch your child closely for signs of other heat related illnesses when he is sunburned. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious conditions that can develop when your child is overheated and dehydrated.

Call your healthcare provider if your child shows any of the following symptoms accompanied by sunburn:

• A fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit
• Light bothers his eyes
• Vomiting
• Fainting
• Confusion
• Diarrhea