Children are particularly susceptible and often don't realize they are burning until it's too late. Spending too much time in the sun as a child can lead to skin problems later in life. One or two blistering sunburns as a child increases the risk of skin cancer. Kosair Children's Hospital offers these tips to prevent sunburn:

• Keep infants out of the sun - especially infants under 6 months of age.
• If possible, avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.
• Protect children from sun exposure with wide- brimmed hats and canopies or umbrellas on strollers and carriages.
• Beware of reflected light on cloudy days when as much as 80 percent of the sun's radiation can make it through the clouds.
• Beware of the sun's reflection off water in pools, lakes and streams.
• Don't mix sun exposure with certain medications.
• To protect eyes, wear sunglasses that absorb 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays.
• When it comes to skin cancer, early detection is critical. Examine skin regularly.
• Avoid commercial tanning parlors

Sunburns are not only painful but they can be serious, too. Symptoms of a minor sunburn are redness, mild swelling, pain and unbroken skin. Treat the burned area by running cold water or applying a cold compress until the pain begins to decrease. Serious sunburn injures the layers of skin below the surface. If the burn has a moist, oozy appearance, seek medical attention.

Why Kosair Children's Hospital Cares

Kosair Children's Hospital is Kentucky's only free-standing, full-service hospital dedicated exclusively to caring for children, adolescents and young adults. We have a strong commitment to the health and safety of all children. For more information on sunburn prevention or to inquire about free fact sheets on a variety of health and safety subjects, call (502) 629-KIDS or 1-800-852-1770.