Sun Safety and Sunburn in Children: Prevention and When to Seek Care

An independent educational resource prepared by Mark M. Simonian, MD, FAAP

Sources checked: August 6, 2026     |     Medical review completed: August 6, 2026

This page is for general education only and does not replace individualized medical advice. This resource does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. For questions about your own child, contact your child's current healthcare professional.

Magnolia Pediatrics, Valley Children's Healthcare

2497 E. Herndon Avenue, Suite 101, Clovis, CA 93611     |     559-538-3070

Sun safety works best as a routine: shade, protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses, and broad-spectrum sunscreen. Sunburn may not be fully visible for several hours, so prevention and early cooling matter.

Urgent Warning Signs - Check This First

A mild red, warm, painful sunburn can often be cared for at home. Seek urgent help for a child who appears seriously ill, is dehydrated, faints, has extensive blistering, or has symptoms of heat illness.

CALL 911 NOW

  • Your child has fainted, is confused, difficult to wake, has a seizure, severe trouble breathing, or you believe the child is in immediate danger

  • A sunburn occurs with collapse, altered behavior, or other signs of heatstroke. Move to a cooler place and call 911

GET EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE NOW

  • Your child has extensive or severe blistering, especially on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or over a large body area

  • Sunburn occurs with repeated vomiting, inability to drink, very little urine, significant dizziness, severe headache, or a child who looks very ill

  • Sunburn follows exposure to a sunlamp or tanning bed, or is accompanied by severe eye pain or inability to look at light

CONTACT YOUR CHILD'S HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL TODAY

  • A baby younger than 1 year has sunburn, or an infant younger than 6 months had direct sun exposure and you are concerned

  • The child has blisters, fever, chills, headache, significant pain, or a general feeling of illness after sun exposure

  • Pain is severe or is not improving with cool care and age-appropriate pain relief, or the skin develops spreading redness, pus, red streaks, or worsening pain after the second day

  • Your child has repeated unusual rashes after sun exposure, takes a medicine that may increase sun sensitivity, or has a condition requiring individualized sun precautions

Care for Mild Sunburn

  • Move out of the sun and keep the child out of direct sun until the burn has healed. Give fluids regularly

  • Use cool baths, cool compresses, and loose soft clothing. Avoid ice directly on skin and avoid scrubbing or peeling skin

  • Do not deliberately open blisters. Protect any open area with a clean non-stick dressing and ask a healthcare professional if blisters are large, numerous, on the face, or appear infected

  • For pain, use only an age- and weight-appropriate medicine as directed by your child's healthcare professional or the product label. Avoid topical anesthetics or medicated lotions unless advised by a healthcare professional

The Layered Sun-Safety Plan

  • Plan shade, especially when the UV index is 3 or higher and during the strongest sunlight of the day. Remember that water, sand, snow, and higher elevations can increase exposure

  • Use lightweight clothing that covers the skin when practical, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays

  • Use broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin for children older than 6 months. Apply generously before going outdoors and reapply at least every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off, following the product label

  • Sunscreen supports, but does not replace, shade and protective clothing. Clouds do not block all ultraviolet radiation

Babies and Young Children

  • Babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight whenever possible. Use shade, a stroller canopy, and clothing that covers the skin

  • If shade and protective clothing are not available, a small amount of sunscreen may be used on exposed areas such as the face and backs of the hands; follow the product label and discuss questions with the child's healthcare professional

  • For toddlers and preschoolers, build the routine around shade, clothing, hats, and caregiver-applied sunscreen before outdoor play, swimming, or sports

For School, Sports, and Water Play

  • Pack sunscreen, a hat, water, and a cover-up. Ask whether school, camp, or sports programs permit and support sunscreen reapplication

  • Reapply sunscreen after swimming, heavy sweating, and toweling off. A water-resistant label does not mean the product lasts all day

  • Sun safety and heat safety are related but different. Also plan fluids, breaks, and cooling for hot-weather activities; use the Heat Illness guide for heat-specific warning signs

Call Preparation

  • Your child's age, when the exposure occurred, where on the body the burn is located, and whether blisters, fever, vomiting, dizziness, or reduced urination are present

  • Time spent outdoors, water or snow exposure, elevation, sunscreen used and reapplication, medicines, and any past sun reactions

  • Photographs may help show a clinician the location and change in a rash or blistering, but should not delay urgent care for a seriously ill child

Related Guides

  • Heat Illness in Children: Prevention and When to Seek Care

  • Rashes and Skin: When to Seek Care

  • Child Safety Checklist: Infants and Young Children

Sources and Medical Review

  • HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), Sunburn: Treatment and Prevention: Read source

  • HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), Sun Safety: Information for Parents About Sunburn and Sunscreen: Read source

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sun Safety Facts: Read source

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Benefits of Spending Time Outdoors: Read source

  • HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), Sunburn Symptom Checker: Read source