At a glance
- Sunburn appears 6 to 12 hours after sun exposure and hurts most in the first 24 hours.
- Call the doctor right away if a baby under 1 year gets sunburned.
- Blisters, fever, chills, headache or feeling ill with a sunburn need a call to the doctor.
- Fainting or dehydration after time in the sun can mean heatstroke and needs emergency care.
- Keep babies under 6 months out of direct sun; shade and clothing come before sunscreen.
- Use broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and reapply every 2 hours and after swimming.
- Up to 80% of UV rays pass through clouds, so children can burn on cloudy days.
What sunburn looks like and when it peaks
Sunburned skin is red, warm and sore, and the burn often is not visible until hours after the sun. Discomfort peaks during the first day.
Blisters mean a deeper, second-degree sunburn, and blistered skin can become infected.
UV rays bounce off water, sand, snow and concrete and are stronger at high altitude, so children can burn even in the shade or cool weather.
How a sunburn usually goes
- In the sunSkin can be burning before any redness shows.
- 6 to 12 hoursRedness, warmth and pain appear.
- First 24 hoursDiscomfort is at its worst; cool baths and pain medicine help.
- Following daysSkin heals out of the sun; new blisters or fever mean calling the doctor.
Treating a mild sunburn at home
- Get your child out of the sun, ideally indoors, and keep burned skin covered until it heals.
- Use cool compresses or a cool bath, then gently pat the skin dry.
- For pain, give acetaminophen to babies 6 months or younger, or acetaminophen or ibuprofen to older children, at the dose for age and weight.
- A moisturizer with aloe vera can soothe the skin; use medicated lotions only if the doctor approves.
- Offer extra water or milk, because a sunburn draws fluid toward the skin.
- Leave blisters unbroken so they can heal, keep them clean and cover them with petroleum jelly.
Soothing a sunburn
- Out of the sunIndoors or in shade, with burned skin covered.
- Cool the skinCool compresses or a cool bath, then pat dry.
- DrinksExtra water or milk through the day.
- Pain reliefAcetaminophen, or ibuprofen if older than 6 months.
- MoisturizeAloe vera moisturizer; leave blisters intact.
When a sunburn needs a doctor
Call the pediatrician for any of these:
- Any sunburn in a baby younger than 1 year.
- Blisters, which can become infected and may need antibiotics.
- Fever, chills, headache or a child who feels generally ill.
- Significant pain that does not ease with home care.
- Dehydration or fainting can be signs of heatstroke: contact the doctor right away or go to the nearest emergency department.
Sunburn: when to get help
- Call 911Fainted or very hard to wake after time in the sun or heat.
- Get care right awaySigns of dehydration, or a child who seems very unwell after the sun.
- Call the doctorBaby under 1 year, blisters, fever, chills, headache or bad pain.
- Home careRed, warm, sore skin in a child who is drinking and acting normally.
Sun safety for babies
- Keep babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight, in the shade of a tree, umbrella or stroller canopy.
- Dress them in light long sleeves and pants with a tight weave, plus a brimmed hat that shades the face, neck and ears.
- If shade and clothing are not possible, sunscreen on small areas such as the face and backs of the hands may be used; ask the pediatrician first.
- Babies overheat easily, so offer breast milk or formula if you are outside for more than a few minutes.
- Watch for fussiness, redness and crying that will not stop.
Preventing sunburn in older children
- Limit time in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest.
- Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
- Apply it generously 15 to 30 minutes before going out, including the ears, feet and backs of the knees.
- Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating or toweling off.
- Add a hat with a 3-inch brim all around, sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection, and tightly woven or UPF clothing.
- Keep using sunscreen on cloudy or cool days.
Common questions
Can my child get sunburned on a cloudy day?
Yes. Most UV light gets through clouds, and children often stay out longer when it feels cool.
Should I pop sunburn blisters?
No. Intact blisters protect the skin underneath; call the doctor about them, because they can get infected.
What is the best sunburn relief for kids?
Cool water on the skin, plenty to drink and an age-appropriate pain reliever ease most burns, and an aloe moisturizer can add comfort.
Can I put sunscreen on my baby?
Under 6 months, rely on shade and clothing and ask the pediatrician before any sunscreen. From 6 months, sunscreen can go on all exposed skin, with care around the eyes.
How do I know if a sunburn is serious?
Blisters, fever, chills, headache or a child who feels sick signal more than a mild burn. Fainting or dehydration needs emergency care.
How long does a child's sunburn last?
Pain is worst in the first day and then eases as the skin heals over the following days. Keeping the area out of the sun helps it recover.
Sources
- AAP — Sunburn: treatment and prevention
- AAP — Sun safety: information for parents about sunburn and sunscreen
- FDA — Should you put sunscreen on infants? Not usually
- AAD — How to treat sunburn
Written for Pedemy in our own words from the sources above; checked October 2026. For education only, not medical advice. Pedemy is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by the organizations cited.