My 12 yr old developed an allergic reaction to certain sunscreens about 2 years ago. I think it is probably a contact dermatitis that is activated by the sun. Anyway, we put sunscreen on him before going to the lake and he woke up the next morning with his face red, itchy, rough and with eyes swelled almost shut. After benadryl for days, it finally peeled off like rubber skin. Anyway, I researched and researched then and threw away the Copportone for FAces that casued the reaction. We tested some different ones at different times on his arms, back and neck and discovered that he really does not react on places not exposed to the sun and, I thought, it was avobenzene that was the culprit. It is hard to narrow down with so many ingredients but everytime somebody else put sunscreen on him...like at school or at some other even where I was not present...and he broke out, it contained avobenzene. The regular blue bottle of coppertone sport did not cause a reaction and did not contain that chemical. So last year we bought the blue coppertone stick and the spray and told him to allow no one to put anything else on him. We had no problems with that plan last year even with prolonged exposure to the sun, etc.
This past week my son was out in teh sun alot and we made sure to use teh Coppertone Sport again, only this time the cream ( active ingredients appear teh same) and he had another terrible reaction. Immediate rash and itching. Even after taking bebadryl all day woke up the second day with face swelled to eyes barely open. I thought we had it figured out but now i don't know.
I called the pediatrician to see if they could suggest anything other than what I have already been doing and they were not too helpful. Told me the correct amount of benadryl to give and to find something hypoallergenic. Well, if it is an active ingredient causing it, just using a baby sunscreen like they suggested will not help.
I do know that there are sunscreens with just the reflectors in in like the California Baby brand. They don't have the chemical absorbers like avobenzene. However, he is almost 13 and I doubt serioulsy will wear a white cream that shows on his skin. He only uses sunscreen early in the summer, like now, when he has no tan, and then in late July when we spend alot of time down south with grandparents at the lake all day.
Have any of you dealt with a similar issue? Was your doctor able to offer any better advice? What about patch testing and would that even be worth pursuing? He feels like everything happens to him. So any advice or thoughts is appreciated.
Hey K.,
I am also 41 yrs young with a 12 and 10 year old. Years ago I use to get a rash and they thought I might be allergic to the sun! I also have dermatitas and exzema. They prescribed Photoplex sunscreen. I looked and didn't see avobenzene listed in the ingredients. You may be able to get it over the counter by now, if not ask the doctor about it. Like I said, it was years ago. It seemed to work on me at the time. Good Luck! T.
check out http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/wordsearch.php?query=sun...
Entering "sun block" might give you new options, too. I just searched "sunscreen"
If you click on any one of them, you will see "Where to buy" on the right side of the page that comes up. I find that helpful because some of these brands are kind of obscure.
Good luck.
L.
Like another responder said, she sells arbonne. I too sell, but avon. I have skin allergies. I have to be careful with products containing aluminum. my skin will swell up and irritate also. Avon puts out a spf 30 sun screen but it also includes a bug screen. Contact a local agent and ask to read the back of the bottle and see what it has. My son also is sensitive to sun. It does not matter what spf you put on him he is going to burn. We just have to make sure he wears a shirt outside at all times, especially when he swims. Good Luck on finding a solution.
Is your son taking any medication - over the counter or prescription? Sometimes certain medications will cause a reaction when you are in the sun - regardless of your sunscreen. If he is taking any medication, read the label and ask the pharmacist if the medication will cause a reaction to sun. I once broke out in a red raised rash and had swelling because of this reason.
Hello K..
Is your son allergic to any other kinds of lotions? I do know that there are lots of differnt chemicals in products. Sometimes you research the chemical name and it will bring up different chemicals. Like there is a chemical called Quaternium 15(which is Formaldehyde-Carcinogen)and its in shampoo, body wash for kids and other items. Alot of kids are allergic to that and most people dont really know what it really is. I hope this helps out some. I know I cchanged all my lotions and detergent when I found that out. About two months ago I started shopping at this wonderful health and wellness company online. Their products are 100% natural based. I looked up sunscreen and found one of theirs that doesnt contain avobenzene. I know my daughter had ezema really bad and when I changed all my products over she doesnt itch or anything. If you are interested in this company let me know and Ill get you the details. Email me ____@____.com
I hope I helped.
S. Thorne
www.always4myfamily.com
Alot of times people are allergic to all of the chemicals put into sunscreens. Arbonne has a great one for babies with spf30 it is made from herbs. I suggest you giving it a try and you get a 45 day mb guarantee. Send me an email if you are interested in knowing more. ____@____.com
I have heard of people who are actually allergic to the sun. Any chance of that? Also, my friend who has lupus takes a medication that forces her to stay out of the sun. Good luck!
Mary Kay also has a great sunscreen and an after sun gel in case he does get burned. Check out my website if you are interested!
www.marykay.com/T..harris
I bought Burt's Bees natural sunscreen at Walgreens to avoid all the chemicals and it is not white, but more yellow/tan and rubs in better. He might wear that since it's not so visible. Many of the chemicals in sunscreens cause cancer, so they really are bad, even if you are not allergic.
K., I would suggest trying Arbonne sunscreen. I sell Arbonne and they have done the research on allergic reactions. It is very mild, contains no chemical fragrance, chemical dyes, or animal products or by-products. The best part about it is that if it doesn't work you have 45 days to get your money back. Arbonne is a great company that does a lot of research on their products to test them for allergic reactions. If I can help please contact me. ____@____.com
