Children & Sunburn

Pictured:  Lisa Bohrer, R.N.,BC, Community Health and Wellness 

Manager for PharmaCare, discusses sun safety with 

St. Michael’s PreSchool children.

More than 90% of skin cancers are the result of sun exposure.  Unprotected sun exposure is even more dangerous for kids who have many moles or freckles, very fair skin and hair, or a family history of skin cancer.  We all need sun exposure.  It is our primary source of vitamin D, which helps us absorb calcium for stronger, healthier bones.  It doesn’t take much time in the sun for most people to get the vitamin D they need.

Every child needs extra sun protection.  The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that all kids, regardless of their skin tone, wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.  Although dark skin has more protective melanin and tans more easily than it burns, remember that tanning is also a sign of sun damage.  Dark-skinned kids also can develop painful sunburns.

The best treatment for sunburn is prevention.  Mild sunburn results in skin irritation and redness and can be safely treated at home.  Severe sunburn requires medical attention.

In case of a sunburn:

• Remove the child from the sun

• Place the child in a cool shower or bath or apply cool compresses several times a day

• Offer the child extra fluids for the next two to three days

• Give the child ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed, if needed, to relieve pain

• Make sure all sunburned areas are fully covered to protect the child from the sun until healed.Think prevention.  Before the kids go out in the sun, remember, 

“Slip, Slap, Slop”:

Slip on a shirt.

Slap on a brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Slop on sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and reapply every two hours or if the child has been in the water or sweating.

For more information, visit:  www.kidshealth.org.

This article was submitted by Lisa Bohrer, R.N.,BC, the Community Health and Wellness Manager, for the PharmaCare Network.  She is available to speak on various health and wellness topics.  For more information, contact her at 301.689.2909 or lbohrer@3ipc.com