Sunburn on the baby’s cheeks | Sunburn with the baby

Sunburn on the baby’s cheeks

Reddened cheeks are a very common symptom in babies and toddlers. In the context of sunburn, this often occurs because the cheeks of babies are protruding a little and therefore vertical irradiation is possible. As with sunburn on the face, regular application of sunscreen is recommended, as well as a sufficiently large hat. It should be noted, however, that reddened cheeks do not necessarily represent a sunburn in babies. In addition to the fact that these often occur without a specific reason, other causes such as childhood illnesses, infection or fever come into question and a doctor should be consulted if necessary.

Can my baby also get sunburned through a window?

This question is a bit more difficult to answer and depends on the type of window. There are three types of UV radiation. Two of them, namely UVA and UVB radiation passes through the ozone layer and reaches the human body.

However, most windows only allow long-wave UVA radiation to pass through, which does not cause you to get a tan, but causes damage to deeper skin layers. Nowadays, windscreens are usually made of special glass which hardly allows UV radiation to pass through. However, since this cannot be estimated exactly, it is recommended to provide sufficient protection despite windows.

Can my baby get sunburn despite shade?

Unfortunately, you are also exposed to sunlight during your stay in the shade. The reason is the reflection in the environment, which redirects the radiation coming from the sun and makes a transverse sun exposure possible. However, this is much weaker than the direct UV radiation. Therefore it requires a longer stay in the shade or a very strong sun exposure, for example at noon or in more southern regions, to cause sunburn. Overall, a stay in the shade should not be underestimated.

What prophylaxis is there?

Preventing sunburn in the baby is extremely important and is often done incorrectly. Most babies have a very pale skin tone and, unlike adults, do not yet have self-protection. Therefore, just 10 minutes in the blazing sun are enough to cause sunburn.

In any case there should be sufficient protection. This can be achieved by minimizing the stay in the sun as much as possible and avoiding it at lunchtime. Furthermore, the baby should be covered with clothing from top to bottom.

You should also make sure that your clothes are protected from the sun. This is often marked with the UV standard 801. A hat that protects neck and face is absolutely necessary.

Sunglasses and shoes/socks are also good options, as long as they can be implemented. When using sun creams, it is important to make sure that they are special creams for babies and children. Adult creams are not suitable for children. Furthermore, the sun protection factor should be at least 30, better 50 or more.