The sensation of pain and heat will probably last 48 hours. Ibuprofen products started early and continued for 2 days can greatly reduce the discomfort. Continue using the cream for 2 days. Do not use petroleum jelly or other ointments because they keep heat and sweat from escaping. The symptoms can also be helped by taking cool baths or putting cold wet cloths on the burned area several times a day.
Showers are usually too painful.
Your child should drink extra water to replace the fluid lost into the swelling of sunburned skin and to prevent dehydration and dizziness. Peeling usually occurs in about a week. Put a moisturizing cream on the skin. If your child has broken blisters, trim off the dead skin with small scissors. Wash off and reapply the ointment twice a day for 3 days.