When your child's skin endures too much exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, it responds with a sunburn. To prevent a sunburn, always apply sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15 to areas of your child's skin that will be exposed to the sun. A sunburn usually goes away in a few days, but more extensive cases can have symptoms of fever, chills, and headache. Dehydration can also result from a bad sunburn. To soothe the effects of a sunburn, a cool cloth on the skin can provide some relief. Don't break any sun blisters that may have developed. For the pain, you can give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen, but check with a health care provider first for safety and dosage information. Should the child show symptoms of dehydration or heatstroke, including decreased urination, a lack of desire to drink fluids, or fainting, you should seek immediate medical attention. Another sign to be cautious of is blisters that ooze pus or other indications of infection.
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