DD is sunburnt - what to do?

[Pollyxplummer]

DD (7) played outside in the paddling pool all day today, having a great time.
I reapplied her factor 50 x3 times, so I don't understand why she's now sunburnt??!!

She is red all over her back and shoulders, and her skin is warm to touch. She says it doesn't hurt though.

I gave her a cool bath and covered her all over in after sun. I've just been in to check on her and she's fast asleep so no discomfort but her skin is still warm to touch and still quite red.

Any suggestions for what else I can do?

Thank you

I’ve just got up to look and I’ve got some sunburn - I had brand new spf 50 on and was sat in the shade under a giant tree for an hour. Bloody annoying

Something like this helps massively for future. https://www.next.co.uk/style/su396637/ar2755?dp=a&dndl=1&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=8000299803&gbraid=0AAAAADm_5UX0hNpHd84kc8-Mae3hXrnaP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx7jMsfa6jgMVjphQBh0QyjAoEAQYFSABEgJfrvD_BwE#AR2755

Do not spread a thick paste all over her!!

Buy the aloe Vera gel, get the one called after sun that’s for sunburn. As long as she’s only pink or red and not blistering at all. If she’s very red she may not be able to tolerate a top on. Keep up the fluids tomorrow too.

There's a difference between water resistant and waterproof, as I think you discovered today.

You should reapply once an hour when a child is playing in water or when UV strength is high.

Best bet for sun protection is a rash top and sun hat though

It's supposed to be from 11am to 3pm or even 4pm!

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-12/australian-sunscreens-fail-test-spf-claims-choice-report/105394190
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-04/questions-over-lab-that-tested-sunscreen-spf-claims/105458458

In Australia, there are stringent standards for sunscreen. Independent testing results released earlier this month showed that many of the brands had labelled spf ratings that were untrustworthy, to say the least. This has caused huge discussion here and some ructions.

Your sunscreen may well have been bought in good faith, however, I see no reason that Australia’s experience would not be replicated across the world.

I always bin sun cream after a year but I’m never confident that what I’ve bought in the shop isn’t last year stock. I do think it should come with a best before date on it.

Do you have any hyaluronic acid?
If so, get that on there underneath the aftersun. Particularly if any of it starts peeling. If you don’t, and you want some - The Ordinary is fab.

Just a tip for next time she is out. If you get the 'zinc stick' coloured zinc 'sun zapper' you can actually see when it needs reapplying.

I don't mean cover her in it but an Adam Ant type colour over her nose and cheeks.

My Australian relatives used to use it if they took a group of children to the pool, they would 'mark' all the kids in the group with the same colour(s) and patterns.

Article came out recently about some brands not being effective an aldi one came out well

You need to reapply every hour when in the pool. Obviously that won't help you now, but for future reference.

Check how she feels this morning and send her to school with enough water to keep well hydrated.

Best to stay out of the sun.

Make sure she’s drinking lots of water to stay hydrated. Aloe Vera as others have suggested. If mine are out in the sun for long periods we use suncream with UV too as well as a I find the cream just isn’t enough. Hope she’s ok

It's not a magic potion, you need to cover them up with hat and rash vest or a tshirt. If they're very fair they can even burn through that if out all day or in water.

A few drops of lavender in the aftersun or aloe gel (get the natural stuff not the aloe flavoured stuff) can help too.

Make sure she drinks loads of water today.

I never just relied on suncream when they where in the water. Even the water proof ones wash off. It's much better to put them in UV proof clothing.

OP if she's feeling sick at all this morning it maybe better to keep her off school and inside today as its a sign of sun stroke.

I often use Aloe Vera gel and have advocated it here but I have to say Sudocrem is not a “thick paste”. It’s an antiseptic and antibacterial cream clinically proven to treat a range of conditions, including sunburn.

You need to reapply cream every hour or so when sweating or in and out of the water. I’d say three applications in a day is nowhere near enough, sorry!

Hope your DD is feeling better soon. Aloe Vera straight from the fridge is a good idea.

I would wonder if it's being constantly in the water. We have spent a lot of time at the beach this weekend and we're in the sea yet none of us have burnt. Reapplied sun cream once in the 4 hours wet were there. Factor 50 on kids, 30 on us.

But DD5 was in the paddling pool for a few hours Friday afternoon and managed to burn one side of her bum. Despite being plastered in cream. It looked awful Friday night but after one application of after sun her skin had gone brown and she wasn't in discomfort so I'm assuming it was very superficial. Hopefully will be the same for you DD x

Pure lavender essential oil is brilliant for burns including sunburn and safe for kids (avoid face of course). Can be applied neat on back if bad and great to add a few drops to aftersun.

Got badly burnt in Greece one year. The locals recommended plain yoghurt and paracetamol. It worked for me. I put it on overnight.

There was another thread saying the same things about the Aldi suncream