Home
Health Encyclopedia
Print
Search Clinical Content Search Patient Health Library
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings

Sunburn in Children: Care Instructions

Overview

A sunburn is skin damage from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Most sunburns cause mild pain and redness but affect only the outer layer of skin. These are called first-degree burns. The red skin might hurt when you touch it. These sunburns are mild and can usually be treated at home.

Skin that is red and painful and that swells up and blisters may mean that deep skin layers and nerve endings have been damaged. These are second-degree burns. This type of sunburn is usually more painful and takes longer to heal.

Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.

How can you care for yourself at home?

  • Use cool cloths on the sunburned areas.

  • Apply soothing lotions with aloe vera to sunburned areas.

  • Try anti-inflammatory medicine (like ibuprofen) to reduce pain, swelling, and fever. Read and follow all instructions on the label.

  • Don't try to stop peeling after a sunburn. It's part of the healing process.

  • Protect your skin by using sunscreen, hats, and loose-fitting, tightly-woven clothes.

Caring for blisters

Blisters often heal on their own.

  • Don't try to break blisters. Leave them alone.

  • Don't remove the flap of skin covering the blister unless it tears or gets dirty or pus forms under it. The flap protects the healing skin underneath.

  • If a blister ruptures, gently clean it with mild soap and water and loosely cover it. Put a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the bandage before you put the bandage on. This will keep it from sticking to the blister.

When should you call for help?

../images/Call-for-help_icn.jpgCall your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

 

  • Your child has signs of needing more fluids. These signs include sunken eyes with few tears, a dry mouth with little or no spit, and little or no urine for 6 hours.

 

  • Your child has signs of infection, such as:

    • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.

    • Red streaks leading from the area.

    • Pus draining from the area.

    • A fever.

Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

 

  • Your child does not get better as expected.

Current as of: November 16, 2023

Content Version: 14.0

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

© 2006-2026 Healthwise, Incorporated.
Powered by Krames by WebMD Ignite
Copyright © The StayWell Company, LLC. except where otherwise noted.

These resources and their content are provided by a third party for informational purposes and do not necessarily reflect the values and positions of Ascension, its ministries, or its subsidiaries.

About StayWell | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer

The Services may integrate with Third-Party Apps or contain third-party content or provide links to third-party websites. For example, the Services may integrate with Third-Party App providers to provide you with information. You authorize Ascension to transmit information about You to and receive information about You from applicable third parties.
You agree that Ascension is not responsible for Third-Party Apps, third-party content or third-party websites, and does not make any endorsements, representations or warranties regarding the same. Your use thereof is at Your own risk and subject to the third party’s terms and conditions, as applicable. By using a Third-Party App or third-party content or websites, You agree to the applicable third party’s terms and conditions, even if Ascension does not present them to You at the time of Your use.