What should I do if my child gets a sunburn?

It’s happened to the best of us—we spent a lot of time outdoors and forgot to consistently reapply sunscreen throughout the day. Whether your family spent the day at the beach or the amusement park, it is important to care for your child’s skin to restore comfort and aide in proper healing. Dr. Francisco Kerdel and the team at Florida Academic Dermatology Center is here to assist.

What should I do if my child gets a sunburn?

Sunburns are definitely not fun, and can impact your child in many different ways. Below are a few recommendations to ensure children feel better and avoid extensive healing times.

• Keep your child hydrated. A sunburn can zap the moisture out of the skin and body. Ensure your child is drinking enough water, and consider electrolytes during this time as well. Hydrating the skin can avoid other problems associated with dehydration, including headaches.
• Soothe the skin with topical products. Consider using moisturizing lotions that contain aloe vera, which can soothe the skin and aid in healing. You can also give your child a cool bath with baking soda several times a day to relieve discomfort associated with more severe sunburns.
• Avoid washing the skin with harsh soaps. Instead, use gentle soaps that can also provide hydration.
• Administer over-the-counter pain medications. If your child is old enough to take acetaminophen or other pain-relieving medications, utilize these to ensure comfort through the healing process.
• Protect the skin from further sun exposure. When the skin is burned, the body produces new skin cells. Getting further sun exposure on this newer skin can greatly increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Keep out of the sun and wear long-sleeved clothing for added protection.

Seek skin care solutions at the Florida Academic Dermatology Center

Call Dr. Francisco Kerdel and associates of Coral Gables, FL today to discuss your needs. The practice is located at 475 Biltmore Way, Suite 207 and can be reached by calling (305) 324-2110. Our team encourages individuals to take the time to educate themselves on ways to care for the skin to avoid problems such as sunburn and excessive sun exposure.