Sunburn in Children: Risks, Symptoms, and First Aid Care

Children are particularly prone to sunburn, especially during outdoor play in Canadian summers. Sunburn occurs when the skin is damaged by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, leading to inflammation and injury of the skin cells.

The skin contains melanin, a natural pigment produced by specialized cells called melanocytes. When exposed to UV radiation, the body increases melanin production, which darkens the skin over time and offers limited protection. Fair-skinned children are at higher risk because their skin contains less melanin, but all children—regardless of skin tone—can develop sunburn.

Sunburn can occur even on cloudy days. UV rays can reflect off water, sand, snow, and buildings, increasing exposure. This makes sunburn a year-round concern in Canada, particularly near lakes, beaches, and snowy environments.

Signs and Symptoms of Sunburn

Sunburn severity can range from mild to serious:

• Reddened, warm, and tender skin

• Pain or swelling

• Blistering in more severe cases

• Dry, itchy skin followed by peeling as healing occurs

Symptoms often begin several hours after exposure and usually worsen over 24–48 hours. Repeated sun damage in childhood significantly increases the risk of skin cancer, premature aging, and long-term skin damage later in life.

When to Seek Medical Care for a Child with Sunburn

A child should be assessed by a healthcare professional if:

• Blisters are present, especially if they break open or contain cloudy fluid

• The child has fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or headache

• Pain is severe or not relieved with basic care

• There is increasing redness, swelling, or signs of infection

• The child appears unusually tired or unwell

First Aid Management for Sunburn

Severe sunburns should be treated like other burn injuries and assessed by a medical professional as soon as possible. Children are especially vulnerable to dehydration, which is why prompt care is important.

For mild sunburn:

• Remove the child from further sun exposure immediately

• Cool the skin using cool (not cold) running water or a cool compress

• Encourage increased fluid intake

• Bathe gently in cool or lukewarm water

• Use pain relief medication only as directed by a healthcare provider

Blisters should never be popped, as this increases infection risk.

Sunburn Prevention and First Aid Education

Understanding how to recognize, treat, and prevent sunburn is a key component of first aid education—especially for parents, caregivers, educators, and camp staff across Canada. Early recognition and proper care can prevent complications and reduce long-term skin damage.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Learning proper burn care, dehydration prevention, and pediatric first aid response through certified training can help Canadians respond confidently to sun-related injuries.