Sunburn and Heat Rash

After a long, cold winter, it’s tempting to make the most of the summer sunshine when it finally arrives. But be warned; young skin can be quickly damaged by exposure to the sun. As little as twenty minutes can to lead to a painful case of sunburn. And of course, repeated, prolonged spells in the sun could increase their likelihood of developing skin cancer later on in life.

When you’re at the beach, never let your children (or anyone else in the family for that matter) venture into the sun without a sunscreen that has a high sun protection factor. Always kit them out with sun hats and closely woven t-shirts and make sure that they wear them at all times.

Finally, don’t think you can bend the rules because you’re an adult! Start out with a high factor sunscreen and limit yourself to half hour spells in the sun for the first few days of your holiday. Don’t forget to reapply sunscreen after swimming, even if it says it’s waterproof on the bottle.

What to do

  • Cool sunburned skin by sponging gently with cold water.
  • Take regular sips of water to re-hydrate the body.
  • You can apply an after-sun cream or spray to moisturise and prevent peeling.
  • Use Savlon Antiseptic Cream* to soothe the skin and aid natural healing.
  • If sunburn is severe or there are feelings of sickness and dizziness, seek medical advice; you may have a case of heatstroke on your hands.

*Always read the label.

 

 

 

 

 

Top Tip

Staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm will reduce your chances of burning. These are the times when the sun is highest in the sky and therefore at its hottest.

 

PLEASE NOTE:
The information on this website is provided as a reference guide only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice from your pharmacist, doctor or NHS Direct. Always seek medical advice if you are unsure of the treatment required or dial 999 in an emergency.

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