My child got sunburnt! I'm in total panic.

[bunny85]

We are in Italy on holiday at the moment and our nearly 4 year old son got sunburnt. This is despite a SPF 50 waterproof suncream being applied and reapplied, staying in shade and wearing a hat. Our only mistake was probably staying on the beach until 1.30pm and he was in the water often (loves the sea). We kept reapplying the cream after every swim this is why I can't believe it. Now his back and shoulders are red and hurting slightly. I've given him ibuprofen and he isn't complaining but I'm in panic and can't forgive myself. NHS website says even a mild sunburn can lead to skin cancer later in life and the thought of it feels me with dread. What would you wise ladies say?

It's happened to everyone, try not to worry.

I'd say stop panicking and enjoy your holiday. This isn't the last time they'll get sunburn. You could live your life avoiding sun and still get skin cancer. Stop worrying

I agree with the posters above. Keep a t-shirt or a rash vest on when in the water.

Don't beat yourself up. Just remember next time that most Italians with young kids go early and are off the beach by 12 and don't go back until 4. Also I always find it is easier to get burnt in the water than out as you don't feel as hot and the light is reflected. Hope he feels better soon!

Did he not have a t shirt or rash vest on?

My siblings and I are fairskinned and got sunburned regularly in the 70s when suncream was designed to enhance the sun's effects, not protect against it. We are all our 50s and none of us have developed skin cancer. I know anecdata is not evidence but I would imagine the risks of it happening after one episode are very low.

Get a rash vest and change the type of suncream you’re using - the sprays are more convenient but don’t dispense much - you need twice as much as you think you do

Well it has happened so no point beating yourself up. If you have aloe Vera put that on and keep him out the sun now. I would say in future buy uv long sleeve tops and long shorts, they are quite widely available in the UK now although perhaps not widely used in Italy from what I’ve seen. And also stay out of the hottest sun.

Apply Sudocrem to heal the burn and keep him covered up. The redness should subside in a day or too with regular applications.

Awww this happened to me, my DS got burnt a little on his cheeks despite multiple suncream applications throughout the day, and it was cloudy I felt like reporting myself to social services I felt so guilty, but I think it does happen to most kids at some point. I agree with changing the suncream, and covering up as much skin as you can x

I remember feeling so horrified the first time my kids got burnt abroad, like you i thought i had been so careful. But these things happen, its done now, get one of those UV t-shirts, hat and stay out of the sun in the middle of the day. It will be fine.

Relax! We have all been there! Sometimes regardless of the precautions we take, sh1t happens! I get you feel dreadful, the guilt wrecks me when these thin happen.... but it'll do no damage. A bit of aloe vera gel to soothe his skin and a T-shirt from now on in the sun! Enjoy your holiday!!!!

*things

Thank you to you all. The special top with UV protection is bought and he's wearing it. The redness is gone but we've learnt our lesson. My husband is now considering buying one for himself!
The only question is, do we still put the suncream on underneath this top or not? Sorry if this is the silliest question of the year!

No, you shouldn't need to put cream on underneath the shirt. I always put my kids in rash Vests because it's so much easier than arsing around with suncream, you use less cream and I know from childhood how painful a badly sunburnt back is! I never use cream underneath and they have never burnt through them.

Don't beat yourself up about the burning, it sounds relatively mild and I think most kids have got a little red somewhere at some point.