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child allergic to sunscreen

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Dannipinkprincess
Regular Member
Joined : Apr 2008
Posts : 23
Posted 6/7/2008 3:39 AM (GMT -8)
hello i am allregic to all sun cream but i get one from my doctors its called Roc sante soleil im not sure whats in it but its meant to be for highly sensative skin and people who are allergic. the only bad thing is that because of everything its left out its a nightmare to rub in. i get it on persriptsion so if it doesn't work for you its free.

try not to feel bad about it my mum did the same with me many times but its worth it in the long run i promise

hope it works danni xxx
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PeanutMom
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2008
Posts : 197
Posted 6/11/2008 11:54 AM (GMT -8)
Hello I'm new here and found this site by a google search because I suspect my almost 18 month old son is allergic to sun screen too.

The first time it was used on him this year at day care, we thought he had come down with "Fifth's disease" because she had applied it to his face only and that's what got bright rosey red. Along with that he had a really runny (but the fluid was clear) nose. He never developed the lacy red rash indicative of Fifths so I wasn't convinced that's what he had.

Just to be safe (so I thought) I asked her not to use sun screen and that I would send a bottle of what worked last year as soon as I got more. He only attends one day a week so it has been several weeks since they have been able to go out during the day on his day there anyway.

This past Saturday I went to a plant sale and with my toe head blonde son that won't wear a hat I slathered him head to toe in sun screen so he wouldn't burn. I spontaneously combust in the sun and always burn then peel back to pasty white so I was afraid he'd do the same. By mid day he had that same runny nose and his eyes were all watery and puffy, no red cheeks this time but it was a different sun screen than what day care had used. It didn't cross my mind that it could be the sun screen until today when my husband picked him up from day care, they had gone out and she had used my sun screen on him and he had that same runny nose and puffy watery eyes.

I've called my doc and thanks to the suggestions here I'm going to ask him for a script for the SPF with that Titanium dioxide in it but I was wondering. . . . is there something that happens between ages 1 and 2 that causes allergies? I used this brand of sun screen with no issues last year on him and this year he's all puffy.


To the poster that suggested the natural insect repellent . . .do you have any idea if that works on ticks too and is is safe for younger children to use it? I know some essential oils can be dangerous to younger children but I also know I LOATHE ticks and my son's been tick bit (along with me) a couple of times already this year. I cannot keep him inside because of my paranoia about lyme disease but I want to protect him safely in anyway I can while he's out there.
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Another Day
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 1055
Posted 6/11/2008 3:32 PM (GMT -8)

Welcome to HealingWell PeanutMom,

Hopefully the person who made that post will drop back by.  I don't have the answer for you.  You might want to talk to your pediatrician about it.

We do learn a lot from each other here.  We are not medical professionals, just volunteers helping each others.

If you could find the post you are thinking of, that person might have their email address listed.  Email addresses are listed up by the person's name.

Please let us know what you find out.

Take care!

Carla

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map lady
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2008
Posts : 154
Posted 6/12/2008 12:42 PM (GMT -8)
I have my skin break out in rashes from sunscreen too, and also found that Bare Minerals doesn't bother my skin.  The rest of my body has no protection, since I'm not gonna put makeup all over my hands and arms and neck, but the sun actually physically hurts my skin everywhere so it's not like I spend much time outdoors ;)

After reading several people describe their experience with others doubting that they have a severe allergy to something, and experiencing the same thing myself, I was wondering...is there anything you can print out and give to other people explaining life-threatening allergies?

It is very frustrating to have people think you are completely lying or think you are too vain to end up sneezing when you are actually terrified of dying instead, and it's difficult to explain in ways that people will understand so they don't kill you on accident (or on purpose due to disbelief) with stuff you're allergic to.

Is there something that explains the seriousness of allergies and the great lengths we have to go through to avoid allergens, and that literally any food/chemical/plant/animal etc can be an allergen for someone and can cause their death, and yet is also simple enough for the most thoroughly uninformed person to understand?

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j&rmom
New Member
Joined : Jun 2008
Posts : 1
Posted 6/12/2008 2:46 PM (GMT -8)
have you tried titanium dioxide- only sunscreens?  nutrogena makes one that is the sensitive skin formula, and the only active ingredient is titanium dioxide.  my son is 41/2 and has a welting and swelling reaction to suncreens of all kinds, so i started doing patch tests, and this one seems to work. the trouble is, if he gets into a pool with other kids that are wearing the other sunscreens, will he still react?...
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Another Day
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 1055
Posted 6/12/2008 5:41 PM (GMT -8)

Map Lady,

Please us know what you find out that works for you.  You are seeing a doctor for this, aren't you?  Sorry, I have short memory.

I wish you the very best.

Carla

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PeanutMom
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2008
Posts : 197
Posted 6/13/2008 5:32 AM (GMT -8)
I know from the posts that many have tried many types of sun screens here. I tried one last night on my son that he didn't react to at all. It's the Banana Boat tear free baby. It does have more than the titanium dioxide for active ingredients but it has many less than most others on the shelf. I think total it had 3 other active ingredients, I can't recall right now because I sent the bottle with him to day care. I also asked her to put his screen on before she did any other children so that she didn't accidentally get other on him. We'll see how he does today with more than a spot test.

*crosses fingers*

Carla - thanks for the tip out contact via email, I'll look into that if I don't hear back, so far with the digging I've been doing on my own everything "looks" baby safe but I do also have an appointment with the Doc Monday (o:

Thanks again all it's nice to know as a first time mom that I'm not alone with these problems.
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map lady
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2008
Posts : 154
Posted 6/13/2008 12:09 PM (GMT -8)
Well, I was seeing an allergist until he moved across the country, now there is no allergist in my health group and I have to wait until september for them to get a new one.  My allergies and asthma are doing pretty good on the stuff that the old allergist set me up with, so even when I do have a problem I am at least able to get it back under control now.

I don't really care much about the sunscreen allergy since I hate being outside, and especially hate sunlight.  I was just chiming in that I have sunscreen reaction problems too.

I was mad that people were experiencing problems with being called a faker or exaggerator when they told others about their sunscreen allergies.  Especially infuriated by accounts of people who were deliberately coated in sunscreen by others even after telling the sunscreen pushers that they are allergic to the sunscreen.

I know this also happens often with food allergies, chemical allergies, and medicine allergies, i.e. people saying nasty things because they don't believe us, and even some awful people feeding/spraying us with an allergic substance as they try prove that we are lying.  That's totally ridiculous and it stems from the fact that people do not seem to understand severe allergies, and if they do understand severe allergies they usually seem to think it's only possible to react that way to bees, and nothing else.

That's why I was wondering if there are any allergy guidelines or simply worded allergy literature to give to those types of people.  Nobody should have to deal with other people accidentally or purposely making them sick and in suffering, but it's hard to get people to understand that these allergy situations even exist without any written evidence to back it up.

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Another Day
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 1055
Posted 6/13/2008 2:16 PM (GMT -8)

Map Lady,

I searched on line, as I'm sure you already have, and all I can find are guidelines for specific allergies.  I'm sorry I can't be more helpful.  It would also benefit me.

Take care!

Carla

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PeanutMom
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2008
Posts : 197
Posted 6/16/2008 10:23 AM (GMT -8)
People that don't believe you have allergies have obviously never seen the various reactions. My whole family firmly believes in allergies, we all have them to one extent or another.

I wish there were a way that people could and would understand without having to see someone go through the torture of their allergy for them to see first hand.
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Provrb3130mom
New Member
Joined : Jul 2008
Posts : 11
Posted 7/27/2008 7:31 PM (GMT -8)
All three of my children are allergic to sunscreen.  Took me forever to figure it out.  Mine break out head to toe in a rash.  Looks kinda like measles or rosieola.  Well after 2-3 days the rash would fade and I'd allow them back outside and put the sunscreen on..and again the rash.  I finally told myself, that rosieola would not come and go like that.  After the third time, I had it figured out.

Took us several tries to find a sunscreen.  I would apply just a small amount on the kids bodies somewhere, usually the stomach or back, in a sensitive area.  If that area broke out then it was a no no.  The hypo allergectic sunscreens were the WORST!

I finally found that Water Babies brand doesn't break my kids out in a rash.

HTH

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usisarah
New Member
Joined : Sep 2008
Posts : 4
Posted 9/10/2008 5:31 PM (GMT -8)
PeanutMom I hope you reply to this...I just figured out the my daughter is allergic to sunscreen. I used Waterbabies her first summer and the beginning of her second summer with no problems. Over July 4th we were in the pool and I noticed her eye was swollen, her skin around the eye was splotchy, and her nose was running. I thought she had been bitten, but when it happened a second time in the car after I put sunscreen on her, I realized it was the sunscreen. A few days later I went to the store to buy a sunscreen stick thinking that I had simply been getting sunscreen in her eyes, and I let her hold the sunscreen stick package until we got to the check out and I saw that her eye was swollen and her nose was running just from holding the package! I asked the Dr. what to do and he said to try sunscreens with a few different ingredients so try and determine what ingredient she's allergic to. The only kind I could find in the store that had different ingredients was Banana Boat Baby Tear Free. I was hoping to see if you had any luck with this since one of your last posts said you had found this brand.
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Aphra
New Member
Joined : Mar 2009
Posts : 1
Posted 3/2/2009 7:20 PM (GMT -8)
Hy I'm a highschool student who is extremely allergic to sunscreen, and i'm very sorry for your daughter who is going through the same thing, as a warning make sure , because my mom and dad has done this , not to touch her if you have just applied it to yourself or some one else. You should make sure to wash before messing with her, also make sure if water toys are being played with not to let her mess with them unless your are confident that all sun screen is off of them. I myself have pretty much been there done that bought the t-shirt. I also run track wich keeps me out in the sun with a ton of sunscreen maniacs who think spraying sunscreen on me is a very kind jesture but end up watch me lay on the ground and cry untill we are able to get me to a hospital, because I swell and it feals like fire is eating me alive. If you find out anything pleace let me know. Oh and if you are sweating pleace don't mess with her if you have applied sunscreen because it will rubb off on her even if you can not see it.
p.s all you people who share sunscreen pleace ask before you spray because it can make someone have a very bad day.
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kenda
New Member
Joined : May 2009
Posts : 1
Posted 5/21/2009 8:15 PM (GMT -8)

My son has developed a sunscreen allergy.  We have used three different sunscreens which I have found all contain paraben ingredients.  I got online and researched each ingredient in these sunscreens and found that many people have allergy to parabens even a paraben mix which results in rash, hives, and a burning sensation.  This can be serious for some.  We currently use a sunscreen by skin so soft that we purchased from avon which aslo protects against bugs and my son does fine with it.  It also smells good and goes on blue and turns white so you know you've covered every spot.  Hope this is helpful!  FYI paraben are also found in shampoos, conditoners, etc so check before you buy.  My son has also had the rosie cheeks which our previous doctor told us was eczema.  I now wonder if he's had this allergy the whole time.  To be on the safe side I've thrown everything out containing parabens and my son's red cheeks have disapeared.


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Sun Baby
New Member
Joined : Jun 2009
Posts : 1
Posted 6/19/2009 8:40 AM (GMT -8)
My son has just delveloped an allergy to sunscreen.  He is two and we have been in the in the sun with suscreen on since he was 2 months old.  For some unknown reason, the allergy has just come up in the last month.  I have been feeling like the worst mother in the world but, I now see I am not alone! 
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dencha
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2009
Posts : 7263
Posted 6/19/2009 2:34 PM (GMT -8)
Hi...
I don't know if this will create an allergic reaction, but I'm very sensitive (rash, burning, etc.) on my face, and can't use most sunscreen. My dermatologist gave me a variety of samples to see which I could tolerate.
The one I can use on my face is:
Solbar Avo with avobenzone
www.personandcovey.com
Good luck finding some tolerated sun protection!
Denise
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SONGANDANCEGIRL
New Member
Joined : Nov 2009
Posts : 2
Posted 11/15/2009 11:26 PM (GMT -8)
Just found this thread while searching site for allergy info. First let me say I am so glad I am not alone!! And I thought I would chime in with what I have experienced. I had my allergies tested about 3 years ago. I had broken out in a severe rash when I went out into the sun AFTER applying sunscreen. After this happened a few times I decided to get tested. Turns out I am allergic to a tree sap called "balsum of peru" which is used in MANY things-its a perfume in laundry detergent, adhesive on bandaids, masking flavoring in medications, and THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT IN MOST SUNSCREENS. Geez!! Doc said to use the titanium oxide based sunscreens. These are physical blockers versus chemical blockers to the sun. What I found was that most sunscreens still contain amounts of the chemical blockers-even the "sensitive skin" formulas. The best bet has been Neutrogena's Pure and Free Baby w/SPF 60+. No chemical blocker AND no fragrance. I cannot use any of the Aveeno products because I am also allergic to soy (both topically and as a food).
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Lexilou
New Member
Joined : Nov 2009
Posts : 4
Posted 11/24/2009 9:35 PM (GMT -8)
The Environmental Working Group has an excellent site for looking up sunscreens and their ingredients. Non-chemical sunscreens also do a better job protecting your skin, so it's always a good idea to ditch the chemicals.
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The Mule
New Member
Joined : Nov 2009
Posts : 5
Posted 12/1/2009 11:30 AM (GMT -8)
SOrry if these have been suggested already. But have you talked to a dermatologist? Maybe also look at health food stores or Whole Foods?

A neighbor recently told me of a sunscreen / moisturizer product that she wears every day. She said it's expensive but worth it as she has very sensitive skin but NEEDS to wear something every day. I of course can't remember the name but will ask and post back.

Best of luck.

-KM
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wega_jane
New Member
Joined : Feb 2010
Posts : 1
Posted 2/24/2010 10:24 AM (GMT -8)
I'm kind of late  to the party, but thought I'd add my 2 cents:

I finally narrowed down what was causing my MAJOR itchy face, neck, chest and some redness. It was sunblock or suncreens with chemical blockers, like Octocrylene, homosalate, etc.

I found this page:

http://allergies.about.com/od/contactdermatitis/a/sunscreens.htm <-this needs to be copied and pasted to a web browser as with all about.com web pages.

that really explains well what happens in a sunscreen allergy. One person on this forum mentioned that her child had an allergic reaction while in the sun, but when they tried the same product at home, there was no negative response. The link I posted explains that, too. What causes the reaction is (at least sometimes) the sunscreen and the sun, combined. It's called photo-contact dermatitis. So to be sure, she should put the sunscreen on a small area of her child's skin, and then have him/her go out in the sun for a while.

Anyway, I found out I can use screens/blocks with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, like Neutrogena with "PureScreen" for sensitive skin. The only problem with those is they tend to be heavier formulas, and so can cause more acne (at least for me, they do).

Good luck, everyone!

Post Edited By Moderator (Red_34) : 2/24/2010 11:33:28 AM (GMT-7)

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mom2acw
New Member
Joined : May 2010
Posts : 1
Posted 5/24/2010 3:32 PM (GMT -8)
I too am a little late in posting and forgive me if someone has already mentioned this product but my son is also allergic to sunscreen (photo allergic reaction).  He is now 5 years old.  We have been looking for alternatives since he was 18 months old and have been to numerous specialists and hospitals.  We have always been outdoor people and it hs been very difficult.  We've tried virtually every sunscreen out there from Aveeno to prescriptions.  The ONLY one that has worked without giving him and allergic reaction is COTZ by Fallene.  It stands for "Contains only Titanium and Zinc".  It has more of a makeup look and feel but it works without hives, rashes or respiratory problems!  It is not cheap but well worth it!  It can easily be found online. 
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dencha
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2009
Posts : 7263
Posted 5/31/2010 6:18 AM (GMT -8)
My skin is very sensitive to sunscreen. I don't know if this would help, but what I find I can tolerate on my face (which is hyper sensitive) is Pearson and Covey. (http://www.personandcovey.com/Product.asp?Categoryid=3) It's expensive, but it was recommended by my dermatologist, and as I said, is the only one I can tolerate. I'm not sure if it contains the things your child is allergic to...just another possibility.
Hope you figure out something that works!
Denise
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maralyn45
New Member
Joined : Oct 2010
Posts : 4
Posted 10/4/2010 8:36 PM (GMT -8)
I think that your skin just not showed comptability with sunscreen. You must try organic sunscreen it will definitely suit your skin as it donot contain any chemicals in that..
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louisep887
New Member
Joined : Oct 2010
Posts : 1
Posted 10/14/2010 7:06 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks for the post.
Hi guys, Im a newbie. Nice to join this forum.





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maralyn45
New Member
Joined : Oct 2010
Posts : 4
Posted 12/10/2010 5:59 AM (GMT -8)
Hie i am new to this forum.....really a good forum...
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