Sunburn dangerous to the child

Tips from the dermatologist against sunburn in the child

06/21/2013

Children quickly get sunburned if they are in the sun without sunscreen or too long. Parents should therefore take care to always lubricate their children with sunscreen. In addition, a sun hat and a T-shirt protect the youngest from the harmful UV rays. What to do when the sensitive skin of children burns, explains the dermatologist Dietrich Abeck from the professional association of German dermatologists in Berlin.

In case of sunburn lubricate the child's skin with plenty of nourishing cream and cool
The dermatologist advises to lubricate the burnt skin carefully with plenty of skin care cream. To cool suitable damp envelopes, explains Abeck. Although gels would also have a cooling effect, but at the same time dry out the skin, which was already strained by the sunburn anyway. Parents should also abstain from cortisone-containing products.

If larger skin areas of the child are affected by sunburn, a doctor should be consulted for safety. This also applies if, in addition to the sunburn symptoms such as nausea, fever and headache occur. In principle, parents should seek medical advice before giving their child a drug. In case of sunburn, the analgesic Ibuprofen comes into question, which relieves the pain and counteract inflammation.

Sunburn in the child increases skin cancer risk
A survey by the European Skin Cancer Foundation „European Skin Cancer Foundation“ According to the ESCF, one in five kindergarten children has suffered from a sunburn once in their lifetime. This significantly increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. But many parents seem to underestimate the danger of aggressive UV radiation. According to the survey, only 14 percent of parents surveyed put their children in the open and only eight percent consciously take care of sun-protective clothing. But anyone who lets his children play in the sun without sun protection risks serious health consequences.

Experts expect a further increase in new cases of skin cancer. Every year, seven to eight percent more cases could be added. (Ag)

Picture: Rainer Sturm