There’s so much to love about summer. Brighter days, sunnier rays, and more time for family adventures. But this fun, action-packed season can also come with a few speed bumps, including sunburns, bug bites, heat-related reactions, and more. The good news? A little preparation can go a long way. Here’s how to solve 5 summer bummers so your family can get back to making memories and savoring every last second of the season.
1. How to Treat Sunburn
Pesky, painful and persistently pervasive, sunburns strike between 50% and 75% of kids younger than 18 every year. Ouch! Sunburns are your body’s inflammatory response to skin damage caused by excessive ultraviolet exposure. First-degree sunburns (the most common type) are damage to your skin’s outer layer, which usually heals on its own within 3 to 5 days. Second-degree sunburns are damage to the dermis, or middle section, of your skin. This type of sunburn might come with blisters — a sign you should contact your pediatrician — and can take a few weeks to fully heal. Rare and extremely painful is a third degree sunburn: It damages all layers of your skin and can harm nerve endings, requiring emergency medical treatment. Key to know: Third-degree burns are usually a result of exposure to fire or chemicals, not the sun.
What to do:
- Be sure to get your child out of the sun immediately.
- Apply a cool, damp cloth or put them in a cool bath.
- Encourage plenty of water to help prevent dehydration.
- Dress them in loose, lightweight clothing while their skin heals.
More at-home remedies that soothe the burn:
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A cold compress can help minimize heat, pain, and swelling. Wrap an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas (or any veggies you have on hand, as long as the bag is sealed) in a soft towel and apply it to the skin. Avoid placing ice directly on the skin; it can further damage the skin. You can use a cold compress for 10-15 minutes intermittently throughout the day.
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Body lotion or moisturizer can be applied to skin once it has cooled down; it is an important step to fight the dryness and dehydration that comes with a burn. Opt for a moisturizer that does not contain alcohol but does have vitamin E or aloe. If the skin is particularly painful, you can use a hydrocortisone cream to ease the ouch.
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Aloe vera is an excellent home remedy for sunburn. The gel that naturally occurs in the cactus plant reduces discomfort, accelerates healing, and moisturizes the skin. You can split a plant leaf and apply the sap directly to skin or get pure aloe vera gel at your store.
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Honey has been as an ointment to treat burns and wounds for thousands of years, thanks to its natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. But do not apply honey during the first two days post-sunburn: It can trap heat and cause more pain. Avoid this method for babies younger than 24 months.
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Finely ground oatmeal is an anti-inflammatory when mixed with warm water. Create your own oatmeal bath by pureeing a cup of instant or slow-cooking oatmeal in a blender or food processor until it has a smooth, fine consistency. Pour the powder into warm bath water and soak.
When to call your pediatrician:
Seek advice if your little develops blisters, a fever, chills, or seems unusually sleepy or ill.
How to prevent:
At least 15 minutes before going in the sun, always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher (we’re fans of these EWG-approved options). Reapply every two hours, or more often after swimming or sweating. Wearing sun-protective clothing is helpful, and, if possible, avoid harsh UV rays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
2. How to Treat Bug Bites
Mosquitoes and other insects are ubiquitous in the summer, but scratchy, itchy, painful bites don’t have to spoil the fun. Depending on which area of the country you live in, the bites might vary but there are some general rules of thumb on how to treat them.
What to do:
- Wash the affected bite area with soap and water.
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
- Use a layer of topical hydrocortisone cream.
- Keep your child’s fingernails trimmed to help prevent scratching and infection.
- Be sure to check that the bites are not infected (around day 2 or 3).
When to call your pediatrician:
Watch for any signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or signs of infection like increasing redness, warmth, or pus. And be on high alert for a bullseye-shaped rash, which can be an early indicator of Lyme disease.
Prevention tip: Dress children in lightweight long sleeves when mosquitoes are active (all day, but dawn and dusk tend to be the worst), and use an age-appropriate insect repellent, according to the product label. (Ask your pediatrician for recommendations.)
3. How to Treat Heat Exhaustion
Kids can overheat quickly because they’re often too busy playing to notice how hot they feel. Look out for heavy sweating, fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, and pale, cool skin.
What to do:
- Move your child to a cool, shaded or air-conditioned space.
- Offer cool water or an electrolyte drink if appropriate.
- Loosen or remove excess clothing.
- Apply cool, wet towels to help lower body temperature.
When to call your pediatrician:
Your child becomes confused, stops sweating despite the heat, loses consciousness, has a seizure, or has a temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher. These may be signs of heat stroke, which is a medical emergency.
4. How to Treat a Cut
Scrapes and cuts are another summer bummer that can occur with lots of outdoor play.
What to do:
Follow these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
- Apply pressure with clean gauze for five to 10 minutes to help the bleeding stop.
- Flush the wound with tap water and soap for five minutes.
- Dab on an antibiotic ointment and put on a bandage.
- Try to avoid using alcohol (which stings badly) or hydrogen peroxide, which can actually hinder healing and damage skin. If a wound or burn is wound is large or bleeding profusely, call your doctor or go to urge
5. How to Find a Last-Minute Sitter
Whether you had a caregiver cancel on you (ugh), got a last-minute invitation (yay!), or just decided you could use an extra set of hands (we’re with you), Sittercity is here to help.
What to do:
Search Sittercity.com for amazing sitters and nannies near you, or post a job, detailing exactly what you need.
