Treatment:

  • Tylenol or ibuprofen started early and continued for 2 days can reduce discomfort and swelling.
  • Over the counter 1% hydro-cortisone cream applied 3 times daily may decrease swelling and pain, but only if used early. Use a moisturizing cream until you can get the steroid cream. Avoid petroleum or other ointments because they keep heat and sweat from escaping.
  • Cool baths or wet compresses several times daily. Add 2 oz baking soda per tub. Avoid using soap on the sunburned skin.
  • Extra fluids on the 1st day to prevent dehydration, dizziness, and replace fluids lost into the sunburn.
  • Trim skin of broken blisters to prevent infection
  • Apply over the counter antibiotic ointment to any open blisters. Remove it with warm water and reapply it twice daily for 3 days.

Call our office when:

  • Several blisters break open
  • The sunburn looks infected
  • Your child becomes worse

Click here for our blog post “Here Comes the Sun – Take Cover!”

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