June 14, 2025, 6:04 am | Read time: 7 minutes

Children—especially the very young—are susceptible to sunburn. Good UV protection is, therefore, important. A survey reveals that some parents still have room for improvement in this area.

Do You Pay Attention to Sun Protection for Your Child? 1,000 Parents of Children Up to 10 Years Surveyed

The good news first: 80 percent of 1,000 surveyed parents of children up to 10 years old are aware that sun protection is important for their little ones. Yet, in practice, this often doesn’t stop the child getting sunburned. Forty-two percent of the surveyed parents agreed with the statement, “My child has already had a sunburn, even though I pay attention to sun protection.” And 30 percent report that their child often gets sunburned in the summer. The survey was conducted by the market research institute Lönneker & Imdahl Rheingold Salon on behalf of the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association.

One-Fifth Often Forget to Apply Sunscreen to Their Child

Why is that? Often, applying sunscreen is simply overlooked. Twenty-two percent of respondents said they often just forget to apply any sunscreen to their child at all. And 29 percent often don’t think to reapply sunscreen after swimming or playing. This is important to maintain the sun protection factor.

How to Ensure Good Protection from Sunburn for Children

Generously applying sunscreen to uncovered skin is an important step in protecting children from UV radiation. But applying sunscreen is not the only thing that matters:

• Avoid direct sunlight: In the first 12 months of life, children should not be exposed to direct sunlight, according to the Federal Institute for Public Health.¹ Even after that, avoid direct sunlight as much as possible—especially during midday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Sun protection through clothing: Fabric blocks UV radiation from the skin—but not all fabrics do. It must be tightly woven. Parents are on the safe side if they dress their children in special UV clothing. According to the BIÖG, it should meet the “UV Standard 801” and have a UV protection factor (UPF) of at least 30. Dermatologist Dr. Emi Arpa also strongly advises parents to dress their children in UV-protective clothing. “My recommendation for sun protection is definitely to consistently ensure that you protect yourself with textiles. This means, especially if you go out in the midday sun, perhaps wearing a wide-brimmed hat. For children, UV-protective clothing is important. And then, of course, you should pay attention to sunscreen—whether it’s a chemical or physical sunblock,” she told FITBOOK.

• Protect head and eyes: A must is a hat with a brim that also protects the neck from the sun—and sunglasses.

• Be a role model: Children also learn behaviors from mom and/or dad when it comes to sun protection. Those who pay attention to good sun protection themselves also raise awareness in their children.

Building Sun Protection with Carrots? Please Don’t!

Can I better protect my child from the sun through diet? This topic often appears in parenting magazines and health guides, with carrots being mentioned. “Please don’t!” warns dermatologist Dr. Emi Arpa in an interview with FITBOOK. “Even if you eat carrots every day, after six weeks of daily carrot consumption, you might have built up a sun protection factor of 2.”

This is far from the actual recommendation: The dermatologist advises always applying a sun protection factor of 50+ and reapplying every two hours.

Skin Irritations from Heat in Toddlers

Especially in high temperatures, toddlers often develop small, reddish blisters in areas like the neck, under the arms, or along the diaper area. These skin irritations typically occur where there is friction from clothing or skin contact. Although they are usually harmless, they signal overheating—a warning sign that should be taken seriously.

To alleviate discomfort and support the body’s natural temperature regulation, it is advisable to:

• Ensure adequate fluid intake to stabilize circulation
• Provide a cool and well-ventilated environment or bring the child into the shade
• Calm the affected skin areas with cool (not ice-cold) cloths
• Remove excess clothing

If additional symptoms like fever occur or the rash persists for several days, a medical evaluation is recommended.

And What If the Children Get a Sunburn?

In this case, it is important to immediately consult a pediatrician. Sunburn is a serious burn and poses a health risk, especially for young children.

Ensure Adequate Hydration

First, it is important to give the child plenty of fluids to compensate for the fluid loss.

Cooling

To relieve the burn, gentle cooling is suitable. Do not use frozen cold packs, as they can cause frostbite. Better suited are cool compresses with chamomile, green, or black tea. These teas have anti-inflammatory properties and promote skin healing. Let them steep longer than usual and cool them completely before use.

Quark Wraps

Wraps with quark or yogurt can also help. They cool due to their high water content and provide moisture. Additionally, the probiotics they contain support the healing process. Spread a clean linen or cotton cloth about finger-thick with quark and place it on the affected area. The application time should be at least 30 minutes; if the cooling effect diminishes, the wrap can be renewed. Important: Quark should not dry out and should not be used if blisters are present, as the lactic acid could further irritate the skin.

Additional Tips

Cabbage or lettuce leaves are also helpful as they draw heat from the skin. Cucumber slices have a cooling and moisturizing effect as well. For further care, special lotions or gels with aloe vera or dexpanthenol can be used—it is important that they are suitable for sensitive children’s skin.

However, caution should be exercised with the following home remedies: Flour, powder, or oil increase the risk of infection and can even dry out the skin. Additionally, fatty ointments and additional heat can worsen the condition. Blisters should never be opened, as they protect the injured skin from germs. Furthermore, the affected skin areas should not be exposed to the sun too soon.²

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Heat-Related Circulatory Collapse—Recognize and Act Correctly

If children experience significant fluid and salt loss due to heavy sweating, it can lead to heat exhaustion. It becomes particularly dangerous if they have also drunk little—for example, when outdoors or during sports. The circulatory system becomes unbalanced, which can lead to heat collapse.

Typical symptoms are:

• Severe fatigue and exhaustion
• Changed behavior—such as irritability or apathy
• Cold, clammy, pale skin
• Accelerated pulse with normal body temperature
• In the worst case: impaired consciousness up to fainting

Immediate Measures for Children in Case of Suspected Heat Collapse Following a Sunburn

In the event of a heat collapse, the child should be immediately taken to a cool, shady place. Then, lay them flat to relieve the circulatory system and promote blood flow. If the child shows normal reactions and is responsive, small amounts of lightly salted or isotonic fluids can be given. However, if unconsciousness occurs, the child should be placed in the recovery position immediately, and emergency services should be contacted.³

Protective Measures in the First Year of Life

Special caution is required for infants: They should not be exposed to direct sunlight in the first year of life. Even short periods in intense sun—about ten minutes—can cause skin damage. Effective sun protection and shady spots are essential at this age.

*With material from dpa