How to Treat a Baby's Sunburn

Sunburn in a baby is serious because of the sensitive nature of her skin. An infant's skin is thin and has the ability to burn quickly if no sun block has been applied. If your baby has suffered from sunburn, it is important to offer treatment immediately. Read on to learn how to treat a baby's sunburn.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Access the seriousness of the burn. Minor sunburn will cause redness and slight swelling. More serious burns will be a darker shade of red, blistered and very swollen.

2. Call your doctor to let him know about the sunburn. If he suspects that it is a serious burn, he will want you to bring the baby in for evaluation.

3. Give the baby plenty of fluids. Sunburn can lead to dehydration, which is why it is important to offer the baby plenty of breast milk or formula.

4. Soak a washcloth in cold water. Place the washcloth on the sunburned areas for 10 minutes to offer pain relief. This will also reduce swelling.

5. Place the baby in a cool oatmeal bath. Aveeno offers an oatmeal bath treatment that can help provide relief for a sunburned infant. Massage the baby with aloe vera following the bath.

6. Provide a dose of over-the-counter pain relief medicine. Baby-strength acetaminophen can help the infant be less irritated by the burn.

7. Keep the baby in non-restrictive clothing. Place the infant in a loose T-shirt until the burn has healed.

Tips & Warnings

• If any of the blisters of the sunburn pop, place a small amount of antibiotic cream on the area.
• Don't use ice on the baby's sunburned skin. Vaseline should be avoided as well.

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