Now that it’s getting hotter – don’t fall for the, “Mom, I’m good,” trick and let your kids go without sunscreen. But in case your kids do get a sunburn, here’s what to do. Remember, a sunburn is still a burn, as you can see in the picture above, which shows a kid with a second degree burn caused from the sun.

Treat sunburn the same as you would any burn:

Of course, prevention is easier than burn treatment. Always apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to your children, and reapply often even if it is labeled “waterproof.” Encourage your kids to wear hats and sunglasses. Clothing can protect against sunburn, but when the weather is hot, your kids may complain if you dress them in long sleeves and long pants.

-Sarah Caudle, PA-C