4 Effective Natural Remedies To Soothe Sunburns In Kids

With winter approaching and the warm clothes being out from your closet, you are probably planning to soak up as much sun as possible!

Apart from Vitamin D intake, several hours of “sunny” fun can lead to skin damage to you and to your kid. Did you know that? If not then this article is just for you.

During winter, many parents fail to protect their kids from the sun rays. This is very wrong!

[ Read: Sun Safety For Kids ]

The radiation from the sun is in the form of UVA rays. The radiation remains the same, even if the day is cold and cloudy and there is no bright sunlight. These rays can damage the skin badly and over exposure may lead to skin cancer. Severe sunburn also increases the chances of getting melanoma later in life.

Signs Of Sunburn In Children:

Many think that it takes a long time for a sun stroke or sunburn to happen. This is quite untrue. Sunburn can happen to your kids within 15 minutes of playing under the sun. Sunburn symptoms in children includes:

• Freckles
• Skin roughness
• Itchiness
• Skin redness or blistering
• Increase of moles in different parts of the body
• Nausea
• Headache

[ Read: Headache In Children ]

7 Ways To Protect Your Kids From Sun:

Unprotected sun exposure is dangerous for kids who have moles, freckles, very fair skin or have a family history of skin cancer. So it is important for you to buckle down and protect your kids from sun burn. Here are some general tips for treating sunburn in children:

1. Between 10 am to 3 pm the sun’s rays are at their strongest. Minimize your kids’ activities during this time.

2. Sunscreen is not recommended for babies under 6 months of age. You should keep your baby stay away from the sun all the time.

3. Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. SPF lesser than 30 are useless.

[ Read: Symptoms Of Sunburn In Children ]

4. Let your child apply it 15 to 30 minutes before any outdoor activities. Then reapply it every 2 hours, if outdoor activities involve swimming. Check the label to see how soon you’ll need to reapply the lotion.

5. If your child has been swimming, there are many water resistant sunscreen available in the market.

6. You should encourage your kid to play in the shade wearing long sleeved cotton clothes. Cotton and linen are the best material to stay comfortable. Also, a sun hat and a goggle is a must.

7. Make sure you apply the sunscreen to all the parts of your child’s body that are exposed to the sun.

4 Effective Sunburn Home Remedies For Kids:

With several sunburn, your kid may develop blisters, severe pain on the affected areas, fever and feel lethargy. Call your pediatrician immediately. Sunburns are dehydrating and therefore drinking water is essential. Here are 4 natural skin soothers for sunburns.

1. Ice: Ice compress provides relief to sunburn and pain. Wrap some ice cubes in a soft towel and apply to the burnt area. Do not place ie directly on the skin as it can cause frostbite and more damage.

2. Shower In Cool Water: Your kid should take a cold shower to get relief from the heat and itchiness. Do not scrub the skin, you need to towel dry or use any soap product. Make your kid relax in the cool water for 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Milk: Milk can also give instant relief from severe burn. Place a soft cotton handkerchief soaked in cold milk on the burnt area. The fat and the protein in the milk will provide a soothing effect.

4. Aloe Vera: Pure aloe vera gel, available in stores, relieves burn pain. You can also split the leaf of the aloe vera plant and apply the sap directly onto the skin. This will ease discomfort and moisturize your child’s skin.
It is important to protect your kids from the harsh rays of the sun. Make sunscreen and safe sun practices a habit for you and your kids. The American Dermatologists Association does not recommend sun as the vital source of vitamin D for kids and adults. A balanced diet with vitamin D fortified foods is a better alternative.

Moms, we hope you found this article useful. Do share your tips on how you protect your kid from the sun.

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