Children spend most of their time outside playing during the summer. While this is essential to their mental development, they risk sun damage if they are not properly protected from the sun's harmful UV rays. This article explains how to help prevent your child from getting sunburnt and when to seek medical attention for a sunburn. For same-day sunburn treatment, walk into AFC Urgent Care Bedford. Our walk-in clinic offers rapid care without an appointment to patients of all ages in Bedford, MA, 7 days a week!
Why Children Are More Susceptible to Sunburns
Sunburns are very common summer ailments. They occur when you spend too much time in the sun without adequate protection like sunscreen or clothing. In most cases, mild sunburns can be treated at home, while severe sunburns are classified as first-degree burns and require medical attention.
Children often do not know they are being sunburnt, as they are not used to the sensation of a burn at a young age. Their skin is also more susceptible to burns when compared to adults, making it vital to thoroughly protect them when you plan on going outside in the summertime.
When Do Sunburns Require Medical Treatment?
Sunburns can become severe very quickly. It is important to use a sunscreen with a high SPF on your child and reapply regularly if you’re spending time outdoors. Always reapply sunscreen after exposure to water to ensure that the protection did not wash off. If your child spends a lot of time outdoors, using a rash guard shirt can help prevent the sun’s UV rays from reaching the skin.
If your child does suffer a sunburn, it is important to keep them out of the sun to avoid further damage to the skin. If the sunburn is severe and blistering, always seek urgent medical care. Sunburns that peel and reveal raw skin or blisters can easily lead to infection, especially in young children.
How to Care for Sunburn at Home
If your child gets a mild sunburn, it can be difficult to communicate the situation with them. It is important to understand the necessary steps to heal a sunburn quickly so that your child is not uncomfortable. Follow these tips for healing a child’s sunburn:
- Place cool towels in the sunburned area
- Apply cooling or soothing lotions to sunburned areas to reduce sensitivity
- Do not attempt to peel a sunburn, as you may disrupt healing
- Dress your child in loose clothing to avoid irritation
- Switch to cool water for baths and showers temporarily to prevent irritation
Visit AFC Urgent Care Bedford for Pediatric Injury Care
Sunburns do not necessarily require medical attention; however, in certain cases, you may need to visit urgent care for treatment. Children are very susceptible to developing sunburns, meaning that they can experience severe burns very quickly. If your child’s sunburn is severe, visit AFC Urgent Care Bedford for same-day treatment.
Our compassionate healthcare providers are board-certified and trained to provide treatment for children. Our clinic accepts walk-in patients and maintains short wait times. We also accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care. Walk into the clinic today, or contact us directly for more information about our pediatric services by calling (781) 430-8161.
