What to do in case of sunburn in a child or adult?

Cancer, wrinkles, spots, skin aging... Sun exposure is not without risks. When the sun's rays hit our skin, they expose us to serious health problems. Though considered benign, the infamous sunburn is not harmless.

Marie-Estelle Roux, a member of the National Union of Dermatologists and Venereologists (SNDV), advocates above all avoiding becoming a victim as much as possible. "You have to protect yourself from the sun, stay in the shade with clothing and hats, and on the parts that you can't cover, you put on sunscreen with a sufficient SPF every two hours," she explains to BFMTV.com

But when it's "too late" and the burn is there, what should you do? First, avoid further sun exposure, stay cool, and rehydrate. "You can drink 'coke' or drinks that will really rehydrate," advises the dermatologist. These drinks are popular because of their sugar content, which promotes rehydration by improving our ability to capture and retain water. Not to mention their attractive side, which helps when we're not feeling our best.

"You can take Doliprane if it hurts a lot, but also because sunburn can also cause a fever," she suggests.

And what should you do for red, painful skin? Depending on the severity of the burn, you'll need to tailor your response. For milder burns, you can opt for a soothing ointment or take a cool bath. But for more severe burns, such as when blisters appear, you should seek professional help.

The procedure for adults and children differs. For younger children, the expert emphasizes the need to rehydrate them well, as they are more likely to suffer from heat and its effects .

"A child not only gets sunburned more easily than an adult (...) but also becomes dehydrated much more quickly than an adult. It's really necessary to rehydrate them, and it's easier to consider taking them to the doctor or to the hospital to possibly rehydrate them. But we really must avoid sunburn in children," insists Marie-Estelle Roux.

This point is all the more important because the damage suffered in childhood is paid for in adulthood. "Sunburn in children increases the risk of skin cancer, particularly melanoma, in adulthood," she warns. It is also recommended not to expose children under three years old to the sun at all.