I was a bad mama (just a forgetful mama) and forgot the sunscreen today, and my 2 year old now has a very rosy face. I know it hurts, cause mine does too! What's the best thing to do for my little guy to ease the discomfort, and protect his skin from peeling? (And yes, I'm taking sun screen with me everywhere from now on!)
Thanks for all your responses! I ended up just giving him a dose of Ibuprofen and putting on some of my facial moisturizer (which is Dove; water based with no petroleum, and very gentle.) The next day it already looked better, so I've been continuing that throughout the day, and it's a ton better. Now to find a sunscreen that I can use on his face that won't sting his eyes when he wiggles as it's being applied! (Cause he won't keep on hats!)
They have Aloe Vera Gel with Pain Relievers in it, I want to say it's Lidocaine or Menthol or something like that. Instead of Green, it's Blue. You can buy it at Wal-mart, Target, anywhere like that. It works really well for sunburns. Pure Aloe Vera works well too, this stuff just eases the pain. Also, make sure to keep your child hydrated with water, that will help it heal faster as well! Good luck! :)
that happens for us at the begining of spring too. I try to keep my kids well hydrated by drinking alot and let them play in the tub (with water). My mom would open a vitamin A gelcap and rub the gel on our skin repeatedly.
Vinegar will take the heat out of it. I know for sure because anytime my dad and sister step in the sun they get burned. My mom has used it for as long as I can remember.
As far as the peeling goes, you want to uses lots of Aloe Vera. You can find it around the bath and body area in a store and sometimes near the sunscreen :) It really works to put moisture back into your skin and thats why the skin peels--no moisture. It's also a healing remedy.
Always keep Aloe on hand. It works great to sooth any scrapes or cuts you or your son might get as well.
Mixing 3-4 drops fo lavender and 1 drop of peppermint oil in 3/4 C of purified or distilled water and spraying it on the sunburn is VERY soothing for young ones. Coconut oil or pure aloe vera gel is also ideal for soothing and healing. Make sure your sources are pure with no addtitives. Be VERY careful selecting your sunscreen. Most contain up to 5 known carcinogens in them. There are a few decent ones by Jason and Alba Botanica amongst others. We are ALL forgetful once in a while - so you are human!
Hi there, you poor dears
The best things I've found for sunburns are aloe vera lidocain gel (avoid the eye area) I don't know if it is safe to use that on small children ask a pharmasist, if you can use it that is very soothing, or aloe vera straight from the plant applied many times a day you might be able to find the plant at a garden center near you, these plants come in handy for all kinds of bumps and bruises, you just tear off the end of a leaf and squeese out the aloe vera.
I don't mean to rain on anyones parade, but I tried vinegar on a sunburn once and it hurt REALLY bad and didn't do a thing for me. I asked around and at least according to those I talked to (two doctors in my family amongst a few others) it is just an old wives tale. I wouldn't try it as it is really painful.
Aloe works good, but as far as healing it more quickly and soothing the pain at the same time, the absolute best thing I have found is to make a salve out of comfrey leaves. Cool it in the fridge and then place on the burn. It will sooth and heal it very fast. You can find the directions on how to make the salve on the internet. It is easy, but if you aren't up to that sort of thing then you can buy a salve at most health food stores (although it won't be the exact same thing it will still help). During the summer we make a batch of it and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for sunburns and emergencies (like if I burn myself cooking).
Good luck with your little sweetheart.
Get some aloe vera gel on it, you can either buy gel in the store, or buy an aloe plant and cut one of the leaves and squeeze the gel from it. My mom had an aloe plant and that was always the best cure for a sunburn, it felt cool on the skin, and it actually helped it to heal more quickly, and stop the burning.
Aloe would be a good moisturizer to help his face and keep it from drying and peeling. If you want something to help soothe, then melaleuca oil would also be good for that...and it's an antiseptic which would help with infection if he blisters. There is a product made by Melaleuca, Inc. called AfterSun, which combines both aloe vera and melaleuca oil, but you need to be a member to purchase it. I'd probably stick with the aloe (keep it in the fridge) as the least expensive option.
LOL! My daughter had a pink face right in time for easter. Goes well with her easter dress. ;) She burns easily, and so do I (we are of swedish decent). But this has always worked for us...
***Forget the vinegar (ouch!) Try massaging NOXEMA cream(yes, the face wash) on the burns . It gets the red out as well as the horrible sting that follows. I promise it works wonders.
