Pregnancy And Baby Care Toddler Illness Toddler Sunburn

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... you need to be watchful to ensure that while you even your suntan, your child isn't getting burnt.

Why burning is a problem

The severity of the problem depends on how much your child is sunburnt. If the burn is first-degree, then your toddler will likely have mild swelling, red, tender skin and some pain. But if it's a second degree burn then this will cause your toddler a lot of pain, the swelling will be considerably larger, and sometimes there could also be blisters. Besides this, continued exposure to the sun could also give your child a heatstroke.

Apart from these sunburns there is also the more harmful resu

How to avoid Sunburn in Toddlers

• Ensure your child is as fully clothed as possible, i.e., full sleeved shirt, pants, shoes and a hat. If not always ensure your child at least has on a t-shirt and shorts when he is out in the sun
• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 on your child, about a half an hour before he goes outdoors and if you're spending the day out in the sun, keep reapplying the sunblock every couple of hours. The frequency of sunblock depends on how much your child sweats or whether he has been in the water.
• If your toddler likes playing outdoors during the day, encourage him to do so in a shady area, like under a tree. Also, if you can persuade your child, make him wear sunglasses.

Toddler sunburn treatment

As mentioned above, if the sunburn is mild, you can treat it at home by giving your child a bath in cool water. Pat your child dry, don't rub. Do not place ice cubes or cold compresses on the burns as these aren't effective. You can, however, wipe the child with a wet cloth. Do not use oils or petroleum based gels. If you have an Aloe Vera gel apply that to the burnt area, else use extremely liquid moisturizers on the toddler. Dress him up in loose and airy cotton clothes. Don't let your child be out in the sun until the burn is cured. Ideally, a mild burn is cured in 2 to 5 days.

If your child has a second degree burn, speak to the doctor about it. Most likely you will have to do all of the above, but if the skin is really burnt and there are possible blisters, then the doctor will prescribe medication for it. Second degree burns take about two weeks to cure. In this case too, the child should not be exposed to the sun until completely cure.

You might find that your child's burn is peeling. Don't be alarmed as this is a natural process of healing. Also, in case of blister, don't try to press them open as this might cause further infection.

Sunburns aren't a pretty sight and it is rather painful for the toddler, but this doesn't mean