Sunburns are not just uncomfortable—they are a sign of real skin damage that starts in childhood and can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, shares how to prevent sunburns with proper sunscreen use, when to seek shade, and why babies and fair-skinned children need extra protection. If your child already has a burn, learn the safest, most effective ways to treat it—and what to avoid.