2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-22 03:30
Yes, the warm rays of the sun are good. We were so excited! But beware, they can be harmful to the skin, ours as well as that of children. Here are some friendly tips for curing a sunburn.
Our children are still too young to understand the importance of protecting their skin from the sun's rays, so we must take every precaution for them so that they can safe fun outside. But sometimes, even though we've planned for it, their long periods of play outside cause them to come back with a sunburn. Here are some tips for treating them properly and knowing how to recognize the symptoms of complications.
What is sunburn?
According to Santé Canada, “sunburn or erythema is caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Although the symptoms are temporary, the damage can be permanent and promote skin cancer in the long term. Mild sunburn is an irritation that can easily be treated at home. In the case of severe sunburn, it is best to consult a he alth professional. »
Recognize the symptoms
To help you treat sunburn quickly while assessing its severity, you need to understand the symptoms. Here is the list of observable symptoms:
- Redness or tenderness of the skin to the touch
- Blisters appearing after a few days
- Possibility of fever, chills, nausea and rash in the case of sunstroke
- Skin peeling at burnt areas (skin peels)
When to consult?
If you notice your child developing blisters, swelling in the face, or discolored and cold skin, you should see a doctor so they can assess the seriousness of the situation. Here are some other signs that it's time to get professional advice:
- Nausea, fever or chills
- Pulse or breathing too fast
- Headache, confusion, weakness or dizziness
- Signs of dehydration such as thirst, dry eyes and mouth, or bedwetting.
- Signs of skin infection such as increased redness, pain, swelling or pus.
- The eyes are sore or sensitive to light.
If in doubt, never hesitate to contact Info-Santé at 811
Long term adverse effects
Repeated sun exposure without protection can eventually lead to skin cancer. The SocietyCanadian Cancer Society explains that most skin cancers develop on areas that are most often exposed to the sun such as the head, face, neck, hands and arms.
First Aid
You must first remove your child from sun exposure and make sure they are well hydrated for the days following the burn to avoid dehydration. If the sunburn is severe, you can also bathe him in lukewarm water or apply cool compresses to lower his body temperature. Avoid applying creams or lotions that can retain heat to wounds such as local anesthetics containing benzocaine or lidocaine. If your child complains of pain, you can give them mild pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Natural Remedies
Aloe is known to help relieve the pain of sunburn while helping to reduce healing time. You can also coat the affected areas with olive oil which is rich in antioxidants and will help reduce the damage caused by the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Naturopath Colette Dumais also recommends the use of raw carrot pulp poultices for their healing and disinfecting powers. To be used only if the affected area is not too large.
Little homemade trick that has proven itself, to try to relieve thepain associated with sunburn thanks to cornstarch.
- Stir 1 cup of cornstarch in a hot water bath and soak for 20 to 30 minutes.
- For a more concentrated application, you can also apply a paste made of equal parts cornstarch and baking soda to the body
- Or, add 1 tablespoon of each in 2 liters of water, soak gauze pads in it and apply them to the body for 20 to 30 minutes.
The best medicine: prevention
Why cure when you can prevent? It is advisable to always use sunscreen to protect us from the sun even when the weather is cloudy. You should get a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15. For children's sensitive skin, it is even recommended to favor screens with SPF 30 or more, which you can apply for 15 to 30 minutes. before sun exposure.
You can also cover the parts of your body most likely to burn by wearing a hat, sunglasses that block at least 99% of UV rays and loose clothing, preferably light in color.
The Canadian Cancer Society also invites you to seek shade to reduce your exposure to the sun, especially during the period when the rays are at their strongest, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
