I have a friend whom has a child whom is 4 years old. He is very pale and has red hair. Well anyway, he was playing outside the other day and he just got the worst sunburn I have ever seen. His arms were just on fire and legs too, fortunately he was wearing a shirt. But I am worried that he may have ultra sensitive skin and he may not need to go out in the sun???

I know redheads are very very sensitive to the sun, but I feel so bad for the child because his parents are hardcore outdoor fanatics. They have a boat and spend the summer months outside from sunrise to sunset. I have heard that some redheads are almost allergic to the sun and cannot go outside whenever the sun is out or between the hours when the UV rays at there highest peak.

I just feel sorry for the child that his skin is like this due to the fact he may not get to experience pleasures that some children do such as doing anykind of activity in the sun and having to always have such pale skin.

Not only that, but the younger you are when you get a severe sunburn, the worse it is. Not only in the present, but down the road - they've found that it REALLY increases the risk of skin cancer down the road.

His parents should be putting the highest SPF protection on him at ALL times - plus always wearing a hat.

Also, the number of bad burns you have in a lifetime will affect your chances.

I knew an albino guy when I was a teen (he was a little older) and I felt SO sorry for him - it would be 90 degrees out and he'd always wear an overcoat, gloves, fedora, dark sunglasses and long pants. They just didn't have sunscreens like they do now. If anything, back then, they sold OILS that would attract the sun even more!!

One of my good friends has pale skin and gets severely sunburnt when she is outside for long periods of time.She doesn't have the freedom to go out in summer clothes to the beach,I remember in highschool she was the only one wearing a poncho,a hat and sunglasses during sport on the beach.She was okay with it though,of course she'd love to have olive skin,but she doesn't let it upset her life at all.

That's exactly how my skin is, even though I'm a brunette. That kid's parents need to make sure they instill in him the virtues of SPF 45 sunscreen. It needs to become his friend. He doesn't probably need to stay completely out of the sun, but sunscreen is a MUST.

I got a bad bad burn when I was like 1. My dad totally spaced off how pale skinned I am and left me outside with a girl who tanned like some people blink. My mom was PISSED. And since I got such a nice burn so young, I may be in big trouble later down the line. yay.

One of my good friends has pale skin and gets severely sunburnt when she is outside for long periods of time.She doesn't have the freedom to go out in summer clothes to the beach,I remember in highschool she was the only one wearing a poncho,a hat and sunglasses during sport on the beach.She was okay with it though,of course she'd love to have olive skin,but she doesn't let it upset her life at all.

Yeah, it's not like you can do anything about it. Fortunately I hate being out in the heat. :)