What to do after a child's skin is sunburned

In the summer, the temperature is particularly high, and even the air feels warm. Children like sports and often play outside for a long time. Under the scorching sun, children can easily get sunburned if they do not protect themselves from the sun. When a child's skin turns red and feels painful, it must be treated, otherwise the symptoms will become more serious.

Drinking plenty of water is the first priority

If your baby's face turns red due to sunburn, give him/her more water to avoid dehydration caused by sunburn, so he/she needs to be replenished with water.

Red spots and stinging sensation on the skin: cold compress and moisturizing

When the baby's skin becomes red after sunburn, the mother needs to provide timely care. There is no need to go to the hospital. Parents can use ice compresses at home to constrict blood vessels. However, there are some folk remedies such as applying aloe vera juice and watermelon peel after sunburn that are widely circulated on the Internet.

Specific method: You can soothe and repair injured skin through cold compress and moisturizing. For example, apply a cold wet towel to damaged skin or apply cold milk (not suitable for people with milk allergies) externally;

It would be better if you chill the mask with anti-inflammatory effect (such as Lancome, Chuangfukang and other medical cosmetic masks) before applying it externally.

In addition to the basic care above, we can also apply calamine lotion externally for anti-inflammatory purposes; use sprays and emulsions containing lidocaine externally for analgesia, thereby alleviating symptoms of erythema and pain. Mild sunburn generally does not require going to the hospital. Moisturize and hydrate the skin more. Generally, after a few days, the skin will gradually return to normal without any sequelae such as desquamation and pigmentation.

Swelling and obvious itching: After basic care, it is recommended to see a doctor

If the baby has obvious local erythema and edema after sunburn, you can use ice milk wet compress, which can have a significant relief effect. Generally, wet compress for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours until the acute redness and swelling disappear.

You can also use 3% boric acid water for cold compress, and then you can apply hormone creams suitable for children (such as Fule Cream, Eucerin, etc.), which can significantly reduce local redness, swelling, heat and pain. However, we still recommend going to the hospital after basic care, and using some drugs that inhibit prostaglandin synthase under the guidance of a doctor. You can also apply topical glucocorticoid sprays, lotions, creams or gels (available at pharmacies) to relieve local inflammation and pain.

If blisters appear: Seek medical attention immediately

This situation is not suitable for self-treatment, as improper treatment may lead to worsening of skin infection or inflammation. It is recommended to seek medical attention immediately when symptoms occur.

For severe sunburn that has already occurred, local treatment should include topical 0.5% to 1% indomethacin cream or solution or continuous cold wet compresses, topical corticosteroids and lubricants, and, if necessary, analgesics and prevention of concurrent bacterial infections. At the same time, oral antihistamines and a small amount of sedatives are given, and fluid replacement and other symptomatic treatments are given. After sunburn or when high-intensity sun exposure is expected, supplementation with vitamin B complex, vitamin C, and niacinamide can help inhibit or weaken photosensitivity reactions.

Properly supplement sun-protective foods to reduce secondary damage from ultraviolet rays

Some sun-protective foods can also help babies reduce the harm of ultraviolet rays. Foods rich in vitamin C, such as tomatoes, kiwis, oranges, etc. are preferred.

Secondly, because soy products are rich in phytoestrogens, they also have strong antioxidant effects and can reduce the damage caused by ultraviolet rays to a large extent.

Foods rich in soy isoflavones: bean sprouts, soybeans, soy milk, tofu, dried tofu, bean skin, yuba, etc.

Vitamin supplementation for faster recovery

When your baby is sunburned or is expected to be exposed to high-intensity sunlight, you can supplement with vitamin B complex, vitamin C and niacinamide, which can help inhibit or weaken photosensitivity reactions;