When your child s skin endures too much exposure to the sun s ultraviolet rays, it responds with a sunburn. To prevent a sunburn, always apply sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15 to areas of your child s skin that will be exposed to the sun. A sunburn usually goes away in a few days, but more extensive cases can have symptoms of fever, chills, and headache.
Dehydration can also result from a bad sunburn.
To soothe the effects of a sunburn, a cool cloth on the skin can provide some relief. Don t break any sun blisters that may have developed. For the pain, you can give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen, but check with a health care provider first for safety and dosage information. Should the child show symptoms of dehydration or heatstroke, including decreased urination, a lack of desire to drink fluids, or fainting, you should seek immediate medical attention. Another sign to be cautious of is blisters that ooze pus or other indications of infection.