The hot weather is back which means it’s almost time for trips to the pool or the beach. No matter where you take your children to cool off, if you’re planning on being outside it’s important to protect your child from harmful UV rays that could lead to potentially dangerous sunburns. Every year, our San Antonio pediatric services are used to treat severe sunburns that could have been prevented or minimized.
Sunburns range in severity from the common first-degree burn to the more serious second-degree burn and the worst, a severe third-degree burn. A first-degree burn doesn’t necessarily require a trip to your San Antonio pediatrician; however, once a sunburn begins to reach the second and third-degree level, it’s a good idea to utilize the expertise of San Antonio pediatrics. If you’re not sure what qualifies as the different levels of sunburn, here are a few symptoms to look out for.
Different Sunburn Symptoms
Living in Texas, chances are you’re no stranger to the occasional sunburn. A first-degree sunburn is often more of a nuisance than anything else and includes symptoms such as red, sensitive skin, blisters, and itchy, tingling skin. The symptoms can be a pain but don’t typically call for a trip to your San Antonio pediatrician.
However, there are certain circumstances that require the assistance of a San Antonio Pediatrician such as Parsi Pediatrics. It’s time for a visit to the San Antonio pediatrician when the symptoms of your child’s sunburn include a yellow discharge from the blisters, persistent fever or chills, lethargic behavior, signs of dehydration, and nausea and vomiting, just to name a few.
When these symptoms are not properly treated they can turn into severe health complications. The blisters that are associated with a second or third-degree burn can burst and lead to an infection. To prevent this, it’s a good idea to ensure your child avoids popping the blisters and keeps the area clean and dry.
Another complication is sun poisoning. Sun poisoning can appear in the form of a rash for those who are sensitive to the sun. The rash can appear in patches similar to eczema, lesions, or small, red dots across the skin. Heat exhaustion is another severe symptom that can cause your child harm. Even if your child is not experiencing the external symptoms of sunburn, they can still be suffering from heat exhaustion which can cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, and dizziness. If your child is in the sun and their skin begins to look pale or clammy, it’s imperative to seek medical attention immediately.
Caring for Your Child’s Sunburn
While there is nothing you can do to reverse the damage caused by UV rays, there are some things our San Antonio pediatrics recommends to help comfort your child when they’re experiencing a bad sunburn. The first thing you can do is give your child a cool bath or shower as well as apply a cool, wet towel to the area of their skin that’s burnt.
You can also use aloe vera gel and apply moisturizing aloe vera lotions as well as administer pain relievers as instructed by your San Antonio pediatrician. We also recommend keeping your child out of the sun as well as keeping them in protective clothing when being outdoors is necessary.
San Antonio Pediatrics Here For You
In San Antonio, it’s hard to avoid the sun. We want to help you protect your child and keep them safe from the harmful UV rays that wreak havoc on their sensitive skin. For more information on sunburns or to schedule an appointment with Parsi Pediatrics, contact us today at 210.561.1551!
