Sunscreen Allergy

I do not have any advice on the sunscreen thing, but I was wondering if you have seen a derm. I got spots on my skin and I do not use sunscreen, but it did happen when I was out in the sun. Have you tried putting the sunscreen on her when she is not in the sun at all just in the house. My derm said that because of so much chemicals that some water may affect my skin differently. We have a house on a lake and a pool, but when I go to the lake I get the spots. Then then chemicals that we use for the pool changed and I got spots in the pool as well. It is just a suggestion! Good Luck

My daughter (not quite two) had a similar problem. No matter how much sunscreen we put on her, her skin would look like she had a sunburn. Her doctor recommended titanium dioxide as well. After many trial and errors, I found Kiehl's sunblock, which worked like a dream. It is expensive, but it worked. Then a friend turned me onto the Environmental Working Groups website where Blue Lizard appears to be the safest for the skin, so I will try it this year.........but keep my Kiehl's in the wings just in case.

WOW, that is not good. Have you seen a dermatologist? I would highly recommend that becuase he/she can help and give you something with an RX so that you at least can save some money that way! I would think there must be something that comes in a tub that would work. Also, have you tried zinc oxide? Does he react to Desitin? Diaper rash creams are largely zinc oxide. If that works you can always use that and it sure is a lot cheaper for sure and more water resistent. Also, check out onestepahead.com for items for the water that are sunblocking. They have a good selection and prices are pretty reasonable. I was also at BJs last week and they had the swimsuits that have short sleeves that are like SPF 50.

Hugs
K.

WOW- I thought I was the only one ever! I, too, am allergic to sunscreen- particularly kids' sunscreen. I use Neutrogena brand Sensitive Skin Sunblock lotion. It's SPF 30, but it's not water or sweat proof that I can tell. It's not as expensive as the other stuff you're using, and I found it at Wal-Mart and Hannaford. Also, http://www.onestepahead.com has Sun Smarties UPF 50 clothing in all sorts of sizes, including 3T and up. Look under seasonal items, then resort wear. Good luck!!
H.
Just another note on allergies to things- they can pop up any time after exposure- even after years like me. So it's not abnormal for him to be "suddenly" allergic. And if you're looking for natural, www.naturalfamilyboutique.com has a great one as well!

I'm so sorry about all this!
I don't have any real advice for this. I do however know where you can get rash gaurd jerseys. Land's end sells them. Look on line since I believe there only there right now. Later on you might find them at Sears once the weather gets warmer, not too sure. I think OshKosh might have them, too, not sure. I know they have spf swim shirts. they have become very popular now. I think you need to go to the outlet stores to find them though, that's where I saw them last year. There is an outlet store for them in Wrenthum (sp)(Love those stores! hehe).
I wish you the best of luck! ~H. M.

Hi C.-
Try onestepahead.com for rash guards. Sometimes allergies can come about after 2nd or even 3rd exposure to the allergen. My son didn't end up having an allergic reaction to amoxicillin until the second time we gave it to him. I would also suggest looking on ebay. Good luck.

Kathy - I suspect my son is also allergic to sunscreen. He has eczema so I wanted to find a fragrance free sunblock for him. I was looking on the internet and learned something I had never thought of - there are tons of chemicals in the sunscreen... There's also been talk of the long term danger of those chemicals - so I looked for chemical free sunscreen or mineral based... The one I was extremely happy with was the bodyshop's brand - but unfortunately they discontinued it. I have yet to find another one that is chemical free AND waterproof. Last year I used Neutragena Sensitive skin - it uses titanium dioxide and is 30 spf but it is NOT waterproof. I just looked at Blue Lizard's website and they claim that all their sunscreen is waterproof and they have two lines that are chemical free AND fragrance free. I have seen them in the stores and they are $8.99 for I think a four ounce bottle?? not sure on that one. Here is their site: http://www.crownlaboratories.com/bluelizard/products.html
Another brand I have considered buying is Jason Natural Cosmetics Earth's Best Organic Sunblock, Chemical Free SPF 30+
Gives peoples' responses to it on this website http://www.drugstore.com/qxp141566_332828_sespider/jason_... I am going to look up why the micronized or nanosized zinc or titanium dioxide are "bad" - that's what the other brands I have mentioned use as they are easier to spread and don't leave so much of a white tint. But if I understand correctly it's the slight white tint that is protecting from the sun. I found some message board that lists the "harmful" ingredients to avoid in sunscreen. Sorry I didn't mean to give you more to worry about but here is what the Australian government says about the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide http://tga.gov.au/npmeds/sunscreen-zotd.htm
also this message board or blog has some good info in it http://www.thegreenguide.com/blog/worrywart/423

hope all of this helps - I too have to make this decision come summer and I am not looking forward to it. I think I will probably go with Blue Lizard as it is the easiest one found for me. Here is one more that is chemical free though the spf is not very high http://www.albabotanica.com/?id=72&pid=137

My daughter had the same problem She also has very sensitive skin, but I have found a wellness company that is 30-40% cheaper than walmart and they have a great sunscreen with natural ingrdients and she has NEVER broken out with this. If you want more information about the company email me or call me I do not sell these products I am just a customer. Also I am doing a wellness presentation Monday night @ 8PM EST in regards to items in the home that could be linked to allergies, asthma, cancer etc... I would love for you to listen It is over the phone and it lasts about 30mins. I was traveling and doing these presentations at facilities, as I am in the medical field, but now it is so much easier over the phone, so I don't have to worry about the kids! When you email me I will give you the # to call. I look forward to hearing from you
D. ____@____.com

You don't have any idea what is the sunscreen he is allergic too?? it's weird that it never bothered him until last summer...I wonder if you've changed anything else in your home that may make him more sensitive and react differently....
there are so many chemicals in everything we use, we really don't know WHAT we are putting in and on ourselves and our children....
I know a woman though who has very sensitive skin but has to use sunscreen as she has many moles and has to get them checked often....she told me she uses one without..titanium??
I don't remember, I can call her to find out..and also what she does use....I know titanium is in most of them...
I use a sunscreen made by a wellness company that does not use any harsh or toxic ingredients..it stays on really well so you don't have to reapply it often and it works great!
I get many health related e-mail newsletters (I am interested in more natural health care) and one of them recommended NOT using sunscreen because of the potential danger of one ingredient....they suggested gradual exposure..10 minutes out in the sun the first day, a little longer the next and build up your own protection...but not to ever burn..
If you'd like me to call that woman to find out what she uses I will...I'm new to this site, I don't know if you give info like that over the internet or if you'd have to call me or something...how does that work?
C. D.

Hi C.,

I have heard of this just recently with a friend. Oddly enough, it seems it's becoming more and more popular.

She now uses a botanical sunscreen with SFP 30+ made especially for babies on her son. Because it's made with hers and plants, it doesn't contain any of the harsh ingredients found in many sunscreens. She swears by this product. She orders it on-line, let me know if you're still looking for a good sunscreen and I'll get you more information.

Hi C.!

I thought my daughter was allergic to sun block as well. Turns out that she is allergic to the zinc that most sun screens have. I did find some that she can use but it was a hassle. Anyway we bought her the long surfer type swim suits from old navy and they work pretty well. Hr grandmother has a wet suit that she bought at a local scuba store but i know most department stores have stuff like that. I just saw some at marshalls!

Hi C.
I was JUST looking through a kids catalog called "One Step Ahead". They have a website too...www.onestepahead.com
They have UPF 50+ rompers up to 4T and they also have 2 pages full of summer beachwear that have a UPF of 50+. I REALLY hope this helps you, I can't imagine what you're going through with the stress of an allergy to something that is so important! Good Luck! Let me know if you find anything :-)
S.

LL Beans have full body swim suit for kids you should check it out.

Its called and its 29.50
Wave Bodysuit Sun-blocking swimwear – rated at UPF 40

Hi C.,
I had the same problem with my 10yo last summer and we found that the only two sunscreens that we could put on him that he wasn't allergic to, were Neutragena Fresh cool body mist and Coppertone water babies. We used the 45 spf ones. It was also a huge surprise to us since he wasn't having any problems with sunscreens until last summer and then all of a sudden he broke out is rash with every kind we tried except for these two. From that moment on- we mostly used the Neutragena one because it was very convinient since it was in a mist form, yes it was a bit more expensive, but at least it was easy to cover all of his body, he didn't suffer and we knew he was protected- he went to a summer camp where he was in the sun most of the day around the pool and he was fine (never got sun burnt).

Hope this helps.

M.