Can your DNA repair after one minor sunburn

[Whiterabbit88]

DS had a very minor sunburn on arms last year which I have been mulling over the last few months (which I know is not healthy and that’s a separate conversation). He was not in my care at the time but was returned with pink arms pink which around 3 days. No pink anywhere else. Weirdly it didn’t peel (which I am
not sure is good or bad). I am fully aware of the effects on sun exposure and how children should be protected however, I been reading on what affect it has on DNA which is pretty. Would DNA be able to recover / repair from one minor sunburn in childhood? All info talks about severe / blistering sunburns.

I don’t know. But I’m wondering why you are worrying about this? I don’t think one minor sunburn is going to cause any significant lasting damage.

I mean that in a kind way not a snarky way! Not sure tone came across very well, sorry.

I think it must do, otherwise everyone would end up getting skin cancer wouldn't they? It's a rare Caucasian person who doesn't go a bit pink in the sun sometimes.

@SRK16 dont worry I didn’t take it as sarky! Believe me I wish I wasn’t worrying! It’s all I can think of at the moment. Guilt maybe? Although he was under my care I feel very guilty that something happened to him that may impact him long term. There has been Skin cancer in the family and I am usually very diligent with suncream so upset it has happened. I know sun damage is cumulative but hoping a minor burn wouldn’t be so bad

In the 80s everyone burned and peeled. Not everyone has skin cancer.

What does it mean if you don’t peel? I have ALWAYS peeled with a sunburn (and I have burnt numerous times when younger - I am much more sensible now)
if you don’t peel does it mean the burn wasn’t that bad?

Do you have health anxiety? This seems a very minor and trivial thing to be concerned about. If he didn't peel then it can't have been that bad.

I had a bad case of sunburn as child, went blackberry picking and came home looking like a crab stick. Pinkish red on my front and white at the back.I actually had sunstroke. I’m fair skinned, blue eyed with naturally blonde hair,
Try not to worry, just make sure he has sun protection on and covered up but don’t overdo it. We all need a dose of sunshine everyday for vitamin D. There was an increase in Rickets due to parents lathering on factor 50 and also putting on long sleeved, long legged sun suits on with hat and neck coverings. 20 minutes of sunshine will do him the world of good.

I don't think it means anything. I'd only peel if it was quite burnt. I don't tan, and I don't go into the sun unprotected if I can help it any more, but sometimes I go a bit pink then it reverts back to not-pink in a day or two.

If you don’t peel it means the suns rays have caused a second degree burn Peeling and blistering is best avoided if at all possible But it happens,.

Sorry, Not peeling or blistering means The suns rays have not caused a second degree burn.

I have always peeled no matter what. I only had one blistering sunburn in my mid 20s. That’s why I thought it was odd that DS didn’t peel and I was hoping that mean that the burn wasn’t that bad. I was very upset with MIL who didn’t think to put cream in on an overcast day in July.
@JulesRimetStillGleaming yes I think I do have health anxiety but for my children not myself mostly. I get so frustrated with myself - this is a prime example - it happened last year so god knows why I am fretting about it now

If he didn't peel or blister, he wasn't badly burned, if at all. A bit pink isn't burned. You are hugely overreacting.
I've no idea what you are on about regarding DNA, but honestly, stop worrying. I was badly burned multiple times as a child including blistering, peeling and sun stroke. I am in my 50's and have never had skin cancer.
This happened nearly a year ago and you say yourself the day was overcast. He didn't burn by the sounds of it. Let it drop.

DD is a red head and we live by the beach so are there most days in the summer.
I can't answer your question but I found that after a day in the sun when we've got a bit pink or burnt where we've missed a bit with the sun crean we shower, then put on leggings and a long sleeve top and then soak those clothes wherever the burn is and keep rewetting it over night (sitting/sleeping on a towel). You wake up and the burn is gone as you've kept it cool all night. It can be uncomfortable but works a treat and seems more successful than any bottle of after sun.

Thanks @Singleandproud how old is your daughter? I did apply sudocrem and breast milk (was still breast feeding at the time) and the pink did subside within 3 days. I am just confirmed about the long term damage (if any) but most people tend to say after one minor occurance this would be minimal

That sounds like very minimal burning. Children's skin heals so fast - this is not worth worrying about. Humans are not so fragile.

If you want to make yourself feel better how about making them some chicken broth from chicken feet? The collagen and gelatin are really good for the skin and hair, and good for the immune system too. If you give them a chicken broth drink every so often that will more than make up for a minor burn. Mainly this would just be an exercise in helping you feel more in control of the situation though.

Yes, DNA repairs itself very easily. And, probably what you're more worried about, one sunburn does not equal skin cancer.

This is a non event OP and I feel sorry for your MIL.
Wait till your child is a teenager and chooses not to put sun tan lotion on in summer. Your child will get sun burnt at some point, and over worrying now is not helpful.
Are you getting support for your anxiety?

I have extremely fair skin and have been burnt numerous times especially as a child when no one wore sun cream.

I don't generally peel when I burn. I am saying generally as there may have been peeling when burnt really badly as a child but I don't recall it. I've never peeled as an adult when burnt or caught the sun. I just think maybe some people don't tend to peel.

I am almost 50 and had a mole check the other day. No signs of skin cancer.

Please try not to worry about one mild sunburn. Just be diligent with suncream in the future as I am sure you are/will be. He probably will get slightly burnt/catch the sun again because you'll miss a bit or it'll come off on clothes or because of water etc etc. it's not 100% failsafe. Try not to worry and just do your best.

I was a child in the 50s, suncream was not a thing that parents seemed to bother with. I've had bad sunburn loads of times, especially as a teenager when olive oil was used to get brown. Ridiculous really, I know that now. Being a bit pink is absolutely nothing to worry about, your anxiety is though.

I’ve been burnt so many times too, and I used to use baby oil when I went on holiday. If I went away I had to come back with a tan to show I had been away. About 8 years ago I realised this was dangerous and I have not been on a typical beach holiday since.
I think as any parent does, I wanted my children for them to learn from my mistakes and for me to do better for them. I don’t remember my parents ever putting suncream on me as a child. I am mid 40s.
May husband doesn’t peel either - however I thought that was the body’s way to getting rid of precancerous / damaged cells. If you don’t peel, does that mean damaged cells remain in your body? @soundsofthesixties totally agree, my anxiety is unbearable to live with sometimes

Have you seen your GP about your health anxiety?

May husband doesn’t peel either - however I thought that was the body’s way to getting rid of precancerous / damaged cells this is so random and mis-informed. It's utter nonsense.

Your son will be absolutely fine. Yes, burning is bad, but one burn on one part of the body is not something to worry about. He will probably burn again at some point in his life, it's not great, but it's ok.

I'm not an expert, just a parent, but sun burn is just burn of the surface skin, and the skin is made up of cells that include dna. And millions of skin cells die every day and be replaced by new ones, right?

So, I doubt minor burn that didn't get bad enough to peel will have long term effect on him.

I grew up in the 70s and have a red hair/porcelain skin complexion. I've been sunburnt more times than I've had hot dinners. Twice so far this year alone. I'm in my 50s now and pretty sure my DNA is still working.