Sunburn in Children

Sunburn is damage to the skin that is caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Getting sunburns in childhood and having repeated, prolonged sun exposure over time increase your child’s risk of skin cancer later in life.

What are the causes?

Sunburn is caused by getting too much UV radiation from the sun.

What increases the risk?

The following factors may make your child more likely to develop this condition:

• Being younger than 6 months old. Infants have more sensitive skin.
• Having light-colored skin (light complexion), skin with many freckles or moles, or skin that tends to burn instead of tan.
• Having fair or red hair.
• Having blue or green eyes.
• Living in an area with strong sun exposure.
• Having a family history of sensitivity to the sun or a family history of skin cancer.
• Having a body defense system (immune system) that does not work properly because of certain diseases (such as lupus) or certain drugs.
• Taking certain medicines that cause your child to be sensitive to sunlight (have photosensitivity).

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Red or pink skin.
• Soreness and swelling of the skin in the affected areas.
• Pain.
• Blisters.
• Peeling skin.

If the sunburn is severe, your child may also have a headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, or fatigue.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed with a medical history and physical exam.

How is this treated?

Mild or moderate sunburns can often be managed with self-care strategies, including:

• Cool baths or cool compresses.
• Moisturizer or aloe for pain relief.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Drinking extra water to replace lost fluids and to prevent dehydration.

A severe sunburn may require:

• Antibiotic medicines if there is an associated infection.
• IV fluids.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Give or apply over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
• If your child was prescribed an antibiotic medicine, give or apply it as told by your child’s health care provider. Do not stop giving or applying the antibiotic even if your child’s condition improves.

General instructions

• Protect your child from further exposure to the sun. Protect any sunburned skin by having your child wear clothing that covers the injured skin.
• Do not put ice on your child’s sunburn. This can cause further damage. Try giving your child a cool bath or applying a cool, wet cloth (cool compress) to the skin. This may help with pain.
• Have your child drink enough fluid to keep his or her urine pale yellow.
• Try applying aloe vera or a moisturizer that has soy in it to your child’s sunburn. This may help. Do not apply aloe vera or moisturizer with soy if your child’s sunburn has blisters.
• Do not let your child break any blisters that he or she may have.
• Talk with your child’s health care provider about medicines, herbs, and foods that can make your child more sensitive to light. Avoid giving these to your child, if possible.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

For babies younger than 6 months old:

• Do not use sunscreen on your baby.
• Keep your baby out of the direct sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The sun is strongest during those hours.
• Dress your baby in lightweight long sleeves and pants and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Use sunshades over the stroller and car windows.

For children age 6 months and older:

• Keep your child out of the direct sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The sun is strongest during those hours.
• Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Consider using an SPF of 30 or higher if your child will be exposed to the sun for prolonged periods of time. Use a sunscreen that protects against all of the sun’s rays (broad-spectrum) and is water-resistant.
• Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before your child will be exposed to the sun.
• Reapply sunscreen:
  • About every 2 hours during sun exposure.
  • More often when your child is sweating a lot while out in the sun.
  • After your child gets wet from swimming or playing in water.
• Go for walks or encourage your child to play outside in the morning or late afternoon, when the sun is not as intense.
• Find shady areas for your child to play with plenty of tree cover.
• Dress your child in protective clothing, such as long pants, long-sleeve shirts, broad-brimmed hats, and sunglasses. Some outdoor clothes are made from fabric that blocks harmful UV rays.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your child who is younger than 1 year old has a sunburn.
• Your child has a fever or chills.
• Your child’s symptoms do not improve with treatment.
• Your child’s pain is not controlled with medicine.
• Your child’s burn becomes more painful or swollen.
• Your child’s sunburn results in open blisters.

Get help right away if:

• Your child who is younger than 3 months has a temperature of 100°F (38°C) or higher.
• Your child vomits or has diarrhea.
• Your child is dizzy or passes out.
• Your child has a severe headache or feels confused.
• Your child develops severe blistering.
• Your child has pus or fluid coming from the blisters.

Summary

• Sunburn is caused by getting too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
• Children with light-colored skin (light complexion) have an increased risk of sunburn.
• Mild or moderate sunburns can often be managed with self-care strategies, including cool baths or cool cloths (compresses).
• For children age 6 months or older, apply sunscreen 30 minutes or more before your child will be exposed to the sun.