Sunburn can happen within 15 minutes of being in the sun, but the redness and discomfort may not be noticed for a few hours. Repeated sunburns can lead to skin cancer. Unprotected sun exposure is even more dangerous for kids who have moles or freckles, very fair skin and hair, or a family history of skin cancer. Signs and Symptoms Mild: skin redness and warmth pain itchiness Severe: skin redness and blistering pain and tingling swelling headache nausea fever and chills dizziness What to Do Have your child get out of the sun right away. Have your child take a cool (not cold) shower or bath, or apply cool compresses as often as needed. Give extra liquids for the next 2 to 3 days. Give your child ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed, if needed, to relieve pain. Use moisturizing creams or aloe gel to provide comfort. When going outside, all sunburned areas should be fully covered to protect the skin from the sun until healed. Get Emergency Medical Care if: a sunburn causes blisters or is extremely painful your child has facial swelling from a sunburn a sunburn covers a large area your child has fever or chills after getting sunburned your child has a headache, confusion, or a feeling of faintness you see signs of dehydration (increased thirst, less pee, or dry eyes and mouth) Think Prevention! Avoid summer sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Have kids wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and a hat. Apply sunscreen that provides UVB and UVA protection with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure and 30 minutes after exposure begins, then reapply after kids have been swimming or sweating. Although the best way to protect babies 6 months of age or younger is to keep them shaded, you can use small amounts of sunscreen (with an SPF of at least 30) on small exposed areas, like the face. Back to Articles Related Articles Summer Safety Center Want to avoid summer hazards so you can focus on the fun? This center offers tips for teens. Read More Summer Safety Keep the fun in summer by keeping your child safe in the sun, the water, and the great outdoors. Read More Movie: Skin Go below the surface of the skin with Chloe and the Nurb. They'll show you skin cells, sweat, and more! Read More How to Be Safe When You're in the Sun It's fun to be outside on a hot, sunny day. But too much sun and heat can make you feel terrible. Find out how to stay safe in this article for kids. Read More Sun Safety By teaching kids how to enjoy fun in the sun safely, parents can reduce their risk for developing skin cancer. Read More Melanoma Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Find out how to lower your family's risk of getting melanoma and how doctors treat it. Read More Melanoma Melanoma is different from other skin cancers because it can spread if it's not caught early. Find out how to lower your risk of getting melanoma and how doctors treat it. Read More I Got Blisters From a Sunburn. What Should I Do? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Rashes Learn about rashes in a flash. Check out our article just for kids! Read More Are Tanning Salons Safe? Find out what the experts have to say. Read More Indoor Tanning Tanning beds are no safer than the sun -- and may be even more dangerous. Read this article to get the details, and to find out what is safe when it comes to getting that golden glow. Read More Tanning The sun can do a lot more than just give you a warm summer glow. Get the facts on sun and skin damage - and what you can do to protect yourself and still look tan. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.