Toddler Bit Sunburned Despite Hat and Sunblock :(

Updated on May 12, 2011
J.R. asks from Washington, DC
15 answers

Dear Mommas, Another no-brainer for many of you.
I went out with my toddler to the park @ mid day. Despite the shadiness of most of the park, the sunblock and the large 50 SPF hat, and only being outside 1 hour, my son got a little pink on his chin area.....

What did I not pay attention to? My 2 1/2 year old has very pale skin so I am usually extra careful, but do not want to prevent him of course from enjoying and playing outdoors! Do I need to put on sunblock every 1/2 hour.

Please no critical remarks. I am open to constructive criticism written nicely :)
Thanks.
Jilly

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K.M.

answers from Chicago on

we are REALLY fair skin too ... try the Equate (walmart) 100Spf sunblock ... we were in the sun ALL day and only reapplied once and NO red.

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J.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

Some sunblocks actually CAUSE people to burn. The chemicals in it react with the skin and wah-lah, a really good burn.

Our sunblock of choice is shea butter and zinc oxide based, so no nasty chemicals that get directly absorbed into the blood through the largest organ - the skin.

That being said, I don't use sunblock on my kids unless we are going to be out in the sun for extended periods of time (not just 1-3 hours at the park). They never burn, but I'm also very careful that we do not go out between 11-2 or 2:30pm, when UV exposure is at the highest.

Our friend's daughter ALWAYS burns with sunblock. I told her to try this stuff and she was shocked, since it was the first time her pale daughter did not burn. Her other kids were fine with the usual stuff she uses. WORTH THE MONEY.

A little goes a LONG way and it's not greasy. It goes on like lotion.

DeVita Solar Body Block SPF 30+
https://www2.devita.net/store/product.php?productid=17535...

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

Avoid the park at mid-day (I know, I know, yeah right! But if you want to eliminate all risk...). 10-3 is the riskiest time to get sunburns, although it can happen at other times.

Reapply sunscreen often.

And, realize that you did not fail as a parent because your child got a sunburn. It will happen again, despite your best efforts. Keep aloe gel or lotion in the refrigerator to apply on the sunburn to relieve any pain he may have.

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G.T.

answers from Modesto on

it wont be the last time.

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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

I'm extremely fair skinned and burn very quickly. I was wearing SPF 50 in Hawaii and burned through it in one hour. Now, I wear only SPF 75+. They say it doesn't make much difference above 50 but I can tell you from experience it absolutely does.

The only minus is that the higher you go, the stickier the sunblock becomes (even with the less sticky brands). So, give it plenty of time to soak in before you go anywhere so he doesn't end up with bark, grass and other things sticking to his skin.

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K.P.

answers from New York on

Oh no! Is it possible (with the allergy season in full gear) and the heat that he wiped off the sunsreen on his chin? Also, are you sure it's sunburn and not some kind of mild rash or irritation? I know my little guy (also very fair) will have red cheeks or chin for a day or two from the wind or from some other irritation.

If you know that's an area of sensitivity for him, reapply every half hour or so or try one of those "sticks"- thicker and harder to sweat or wipe off! When we were little (also living in FL), my parents used Bull Frog sunscreen on us. I don't know if they still make it, but that stuff was like liquid steel... nothing got through it!

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A.P.

answers from Gainesville on

My youngest & I both have red hair. We have to be really careful in the sun. I tend to rub off my sunscreen and then get burned and she does too. And we have to slather it on multiple times when others don't. =(

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A.C.

answers from Columbus on

Apply sunscreen 15 to 20 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply every half hour. Experiment with different brands/varieties--if he's playing hard, he'll need a sweatproof variety. Keep the hat on him at all times.

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T.R.

answers from Orlando on

It sounds like you did great except the chin area! Plus he may have rubbed the screen off in that spot, not your fault! But, if he does have a tendency to rub, then every 1/2 hour might be a good rule to keep. Don't be so h*** o* yourself, you're a good momma! Have a fun Summer!

1 mom found this helpful
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P.M.

answers from Portland on

Reflected light can burn, too, especially on water or light sand. I got a terrible sunburn sitting all afternoon in the shade of a house at a garage sale once. Exposures earlier or later in the day would be safer for a light-skinned child.

But no matter what you do, your son may manage to get a few sunburns of varying degree over coming years. I read a report in a science magazine recently that applying green tea on a burn helps minimize the actual DNA damage that will happen in the skin. Antioxidants in the tea get soaked right into the damaged tissues. Wouldn't hurt to add this to your list of remedies.

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S.S.

answers from Miami on

He will live. Just wait till he's a teenager and WILL NOT put sunscreen on and goes to the beach all day. You think this will never happen, but trust me it will. Do the best you can and do not put all those toxic sunscreens on him anyway. USe natural ones that need to be reapplied more often but have no cancer causing chemicals.

1 mom found this helpful

C.D.

answers from Columbia on

If he slobbers any it can wash off or weaken the sunscreen. Since it was on his chin area, that would be my guess as to what may have went wrong. You can always reapply, or maybe get the water resistant kind that doesn't sweat off or rinse right off in the pool. Don't feel bad. It has happened to many of us even though we have been careful. It isn't your fault! :)

1 mom found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

It's the Florida sun! I swear it! We are from Missouri and my husband doesn't believe that the sun is more intense down here. We had the same issue with my daughter, but it was around her eyes. Poor thing looked like a raccoon for three days. We use the Coppertone water babies 50SPF and it seems to work really well. We were at the beach for two hours, no hat and in the water and not a single red spot. Poor little guy...:(

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K.M.

answers from Tampa on

Sunburn is lack of calcium and essential fatty acids. Too much sunblock is why there is a lack of VitD for many currently.
Add the calcium and fatty acids, and that will end the problem.
I like Standard Process Vits for this.' best, k

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K.H.

answers from Tampa on

Yes, use sunblock every 1/2 hr or as many times as it takes to be protected. You will find out what works with you. Also, sad as it may sound, try to avoid certain times of the day to be outside.....12-2, the strongest sun time. Some people stay indoors or covered for this time due to sun or even allergies. The outdoors can still be enjoyed in the mornings and late afternoons or evening.

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