South Australian parents and carers are being reminded about the risks of sun damage as instances of young patients with severe sunburn increase.

The Burns Unit at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital has seen a spike in children needing to be treated for severe sunburn.

Prevention is always the best cure and with the weather heating up this weekend it’s important to protect yourselves and keep your children safe in the sun.

• Wear a hat, loose clothing and sunglasses
• Keep fluids up
• Seek shade or shelter
• Apply 30+ sunscreen regularly to all exposed skin
• Avoid going out during the hottest part of the day (between 10am – 4pm)

If your child does suffer mild sunburn:

• Keep fluids up to prevent dehydration and heat-related illness
• Have a cool bath or shower
• Use a non-irritant moisturiser such as Sorbelene or DermaVeen
• Wear loose, light clothing which won’t irritate the skin – avoid tight-fitting and scratchy fabrics
• Take a mild pain relief like Panadol or Nurofen

Women’s and Children’s Hospital Burns Advanced Nurse Consultant, Linda Quinn says, the majority of patients we treat for sunburn are often in a lot of pain and have first degree burns, which

require ongoing frequent painful dressing changes.

Seek medical attention immediately if a sunburn is badly blistered, a child is showing signs of dehydration, or pain is unable to be managed with mild pain relief.