It happens to the best of us.  Coming home after a fun day out with the family and discovering your baby's cheeks have turned an angry shade of red.  Unfortunately, this scenario is not only common, but is often a result of when the parent is doing what they believe to be the right thing - KEEPING THEIR BABY IN SHADE.

How sensitive is baby skin?

Baby skin lacks the natural UV barriers (melanin), allowing UV rays to penetrate deeper in much less time than it would for an adult.  With up to 25% of UV reflecting off surfaces (sand, water, walls, glass, concrete, etc), many parents are caught off guard to find their baby sunburnt at the end of the day.

The most dangerous about this is that sunburn symptoms (reddening, hot or sensitive to touch and pain) often don’t appear until around 2 to 6 hours later, leaving many to believe that their baby is safe during the entire time they are in shade.   

Almost all reported sunburns for babies under 12 months occurred in shade.  

Identifying sunburn on your baby

FIRST AND FOREMOST, seek medical attention for children under 12 months old if you suspect your baby is sunburnt.  Babies and young children cannot regulate their body temperatures until around 18 months of age.  This means they can gain heat (and lose heat) rapidly.  Dehydration and heat exhaustion, both of which cannot be identified as easily as sunburn, can take a rapid turn for the worst.  Without prompt treatment, heat exhaustion can lead to heat/sunstroke which is a life threatening situation.  

Heat exhaustion symptoms include**:

• Lethargy or loss of consciousness
• High fever above 40° C (104° F)
• Dry nappy or dark urine
• Sunken fontanelle (soft spot on baby's head)
• Flushed, blotchy or mottled skin
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shallow breathing
• Vomiting, nausea or diarrhoea
• Headache or muscle cramps*
• Poor focus, disorientation or confusion*

*For toddlers and young children

**Symptoms may not present itself till up to 24 hours

Identifying sunburn symptoms:

•  A ‘mild’ sunburn can be categorised as First Degree Burn or superficial burn.  The affected area becomes pink, inflamed, painful and hot to the touch.  Some babies may appear restless and agitated before visible signs of sunburn appear, normally within a few hours after UV exposure.

•  A severe sunburn is akin to Second Degree Burn.  This is identified by pink inflamed skin, with skin blisters appearing between 6 to 24 hours after UV exposure.  DO NOT POP THE BLISTERS.  Blisters keep the damaged skin STERILE.  In severe cases, other symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and a fever or low body temperature (sunstroke symptoms).  

Once confirmed that your child is not in danger of dehydration or heatstroke, you can help relieve the discomfort of sunburn by these simple home remedies: 

• COOL COMPRESS – gently apply a cool, damp cloth to the sunburnt area to soothe the skin.  Apply several times a day to help relieve the affected area.  DO NOT USE ICE OR ICED WATER.  
• COOL BATH – a good option if the sunburn is spread across a wider area.  Do not use soap!  Pat to dry, avoid rubbing to prevent further irritation to the sunburnt skin.
• STAY HYDRATED – apply alcohol free moisturizer after a bath or shower to seal in the moisture.
• EXTRA FLUIDS – ensure your child is well hydrated for the next 2 to 3 days.
• OINTMENTS – Always seek professional advice for the best option for your baby’s skin type.  DO NOT USE ALCOHOL BASED PRODUCTS OR OILS/BUTTER.
• PAIN RELIEVERS – Only use as advised by your child’s doctor.
• AVOID THE SUN AND FITTED CLOTHING – Avoid sun exposure whilst the skin is still healing.  The sunburnt skin will be even more vulnerable to further damage.  Tight clothing will irritate the skin and even pop blisters.
• DO NOT PULL OFF PEELING SKIN - it may be tempting to peel off flakes of peeling skin, but this could further damage your baby's already damaged skin and may lead to infection.  Allow the skin to peel off naturally.  

Even the slightest pink of the skin is a sign of sunburn, increasing the risk of skin cancer in later life.  Almost all skin cancers are preventable, yet it accounts for up to 80% of newly diagnosed cancers every year.  Young children and babies, particularly babies under 12 months old, are in the high risk category and especially vulnerable in the extreme Australian conditions.   

PROTECT FROM THE SUN FROM DAY ONE

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as a guide only.  Please seek professional medical advice to suit you and your baby’s individual needs.