Sunburns

According to data from the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP), between 50 and 80% of the damage caused by sun exposure that an individual receives throughout their lifetime comes from childhood and adolescence.

The most common incidents of sun exposure in children are skin redness, sunburns, and allergic reactions. But how can parents distinguish sunburns from any other skin injury that may occur in their child? “Sunburns caused by ultraviolet radiation after sun exposure usually affect the outer layers of the skin. These layers are the epidermis (outermost layer) and dermis (second layer in depth). Symptoms usually appear a few hours after sun exposure,” says Dr. Isabel Miras, a pediatrician on our team.

“The injury to the superficial layer manifests as redness of the skin, increased temperature, inflammation, and sensitivity or pain. Peeling of the damaged skin is another common sign. In cases where the radiation also damages the dermis, blisters can be visualized, which cause depigmentation of the skin and leave scars depending on the depth reached,” she continues to explain. But it’s not just about the discomfort and possible pain that sunburns can cause in children at the moment, it is also important to know that “cellular damage caused by the sun is permanent, increasing the risk of cancer and premature skin aging,” warns the pediatrician.

What to do in case of a sunburn?

The most important thing is to learn to differentiate the severity of the burn. Superficial burns are characterized by red, hot, painful skin or small blisters, in which case treatment can be done at home following the recommendations given by Dr. Miras:

• To cool the skin and relieve pain, you can apply damp cloths or take cool baths. Body moisturizers and aloe vera gels can also help alleviate symptoms.
• Skin hygiene should be maintained to prevent infection, by gently washing the skin daily.
• The use of topical corticosteroids has not been shown to be beneficial.
• Avoid using irritants such as cologne, toners, or alcohol-based solutions on the affected area.
• In case of pain, analgesics like ibuprofen or paracetamol can be administered.
• Similarly, it is important to maintain proper hydration by offering water and other fluids frequently.

If the burns are more severe and present blisters, intense pain, and affect the child’s overall condition, such as fever, nausea, vomiting, or headache, “the child may require analgesia, intravenous fluid replacement, and antibiotic treatment to prevent bacterial infection. It is necessary to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest healthcare center,” warns the doctor.

The best treatment: prevention

Taking appropriate sun protection measures is essential from childhood onwards, and therefore, raising awareness in children about the habit of using sun protection is crucial, even on cloudy days. It is important to be aware that “in addition to immediate injuries, excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer,” according to the AEP.

Dr. Miras gives us a series of prevention tips that should be taken into account:

• Reduce sun exposure, especially during the summer months and during the central hours of the day (between 10 am and 5 pm). The time spent in the sun during bathing should also be as brief as possible.
• In children under 6 months old, direct sun exposure should be avoided.
• Keep the child in the shade by using umbrellas or other accessories in case of direct exposure.
• Protect the child’s head with a hat. Wide-brimmed hats protect the face, eyes, and neck. Protective clothing with long sleeves and sunglasses can also be used, provided they are approved and have UVA protection.
• Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 for children, and preferably 50. The indicated SPF number informs about the number of times the sunscreen increases the skin’s defense capacity against sun damage. You can find more detailed information on which sunscreen to use according to the child’s age in another article.
• Use sunscreens that protect against both UVB and UVA rays.
• Apply sunscreen generously to dry skin on all parts of the body exposed to the sun.
• Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply it at least every 2 hours, as water and sweat diminish its effectiveness. Even if labeled “water-resistant,” reapplication is necessary after prolonged swimming.
• Lip protection should be done with lip balms and sunscreen sticks.
• Sunscreen should be used every day, even on cloudy days, as the sun’s radiation penetrates clouds and reflects off different surfaces, including water.
• Applying sunscreen is not recommended for children under 6 months old, so it is necessary to avoid sun exposure in them and use physical measures such as long sleeves and hats. Only small areas of the skin (face, back of hands) can be applied with sunscreen when shade or appropriate clothing is not available.