Most sunburn is a first-degree burn that turns the skin pink or red.
Prolonged sun exposure can cause blistering and a second-degree burn.
Sunburn never causes a third-degree burn or scarring.
The pain and swelling starts at 4 hours, peaks at 24 hours, and improves after 48 hours.
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR SUNBURN
Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance)
Passed out or too weak to stand
Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
Your child looks or acts very sick.
Passed out or too weak to stand.
Large blisters (> 1/2 inch or 1.25 cm)
Blisters on the face
Unable to look at lights because of eye pain.
Extremely painful sunburn.
Looks infected (e.g., draining pus, red streaks, increasing tenderness after day 2).
Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If
You think your child needs to be seen.
Many small blisters
Swollen feet interfere with walking.
Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
You have other questions or concerns.
Parent Care at Home If
Mild sunburn and you don't think your child needs to be seen.
HOME CARE ADVICE FOR THE PAIN OF SUNBURN
1. Ibuprofen: Start ibuprofen (e.g. Advil or Motrin) for pain relief ASAP if age older than 6 months (reason: if this anti-inflammatory agent is begun within 6 hours of sun exposure and continued for 2 days, it can reduce the swelling and discomfort experienced).
2. Steroid Cream: Apply 1% hydrocortisone cream ASAP. If used early and 3 times/day for 2 days, it may reduce swelling and pain. Use a moisturizing cream until you can get some.
3. Cool Baths: Apply cool compresses to the burned area several times a day to reduce pain and burning. For larger sunburns, give cool baths for 10 minutes (caution: avoid any chill). Add 2 oz. baking soda per tub. Avoid soap on the sunburn.
4. Extra Fluids: Offer extra water on the first day to replace the fluids lost into the sunburn and to prevent dehydration and dizziness.
5. Expected Course: Pain usually stops after 2 or 3 days. Peeling usually occurs day 5-7.
6. Sunburns and Infants: Infants have thin skin that can burn easily. Therefore, sun avoidance (especially between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm) and protective clothing are very important. When a sunscreen is needed, infants can use adult sunscreen.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
Pain becomes severe.
Sunburn looks infected.
Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is located in Palo Alto, adjacent to Stanford University Hospital, approximately 20 miles north of San Jose, CA and 40 miles south of San Francisco.
