Sunburn Safety for Children

Summer is here, and so is the Texas heat! Summertime is filled with lots of fun in the sun, however, sunburns are not so fun and can cause a lot of pain. Keeping your children safe and healthy is always our priority, so we are here to provide some tips from Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care for keeping children safe from the sun and how to handle and care for sunburn if they occur.  

• Apply Sunscreen: 20-30 minutes before going outdoors and re-apply every 1-2 hours. If your child has sensitive skin, test the sunscreen you are using on a small area before use. Fun Fact: sunscreen does expire so make sure to check all your bottles to ensure your sunscreen is effective! 
• Seek Shade: Encourage your child to spend time in shaded areas, especially during the peak hours of sunlight (usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.). This can significantly reduce their exposure to harmful UV rays. Whether it’s under a tree, an umbrella, or a pop-up tent, providing shade can offer a much-needed break from direct sun exposure.  
• Keep Infants Out of Direct Sunlight: Infants under six months old should not use sunscreen, and instead be kept out of direct sunlight and dressed in lightweight clothing that covers their arms and legs. Use a stroller with a canopy or a sunshade for additional protection. Also be aware it is not safe to cover your child’s stroller or car seat with any kind of covering (even a thin blanket), as this can cause it to become extremely hot inside and reduce air circulation to your child.   
• Monitor for Signs of Overheating: Be aware of signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke and take immediate action if you notice any symptoms such as; severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, rapid breathing or rapid heart rate.  
• Educate Children About Sun Safety: Teach children about the importance of sun safety, including the risks of sunburn and heat-related illnesses, and how to protect themselves. 

As parents, dealing with your child’s sunburn can be stressful! It is essential to respond quicky and effectively to soothe their discomfort and help them in their healing. Here are some things you can do to help them through the sunburn.  

1. Hydrate: Encourage them to drink plenty of water, staying hydrated is vital because sunburn can dehydrate them.  
2. Apply a Cool Compress: Doing this and/or taking cool baths can help alleviate the heat and pain.  
3. Moisturize: Caring for their skin with aloe vera gel or a gentle lotion can also provide relief and promote healing.  

Following these tips and making sure to keep them out of the sun until their skin has fully recovered to prevent further damage should help them on their road to recovery from a sunburn. It is always a good idea to prioritize sun protection in the future with sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing to prevent future sunburns! Remember we are always here to help, Minor burns can be treated at our clinics however, we recommend large or severe burns be treated in the hospital. 

Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care opened in 2006 in San Antonio, Texas. With multiple locations in San Antonio and Dallas, they are open seven days a week with extended evening hours and see walk-in patients or through an online check-in system. They accept most commercial insurance and Medicaid plans.