My third child seems to be having an allergic reaction to sunscreen. I've used both Coppertone 50 and Banana Boat 50 (both for babies). Both times I've used them she has developed a rash that covered the area I put the sunscreen on. The rash is a bunch of tiny, pin-point sized bumps that she scratches like crazy. She is 20 months old. I rubbed some anti-itch cream on her, bathed her in Aveeno and then finally resorted to giving her a tiny bit of antihistamine since she was jerking around in her bed, itching, unable to sleep.
Has anyone else experienced this? And/or can anyone recommend a sunscreen for babies with sensitive skin? Do you know which specific ingredient(s) could be causing the reaction so I could avoid them?
I have two older children who have never had this reaction to sunscreen, and my 20 month old daughter has no other known allergies.
I appreciate the help!
Wow, Moms--Thanks for all the great suggestions. Since I now live in Canada (which means no Target and no Whole Foods, sigh...), I went to the local drugstore and searched for sunscreens without Paraben, oxybenzote (sp?) nor fragrance of any kind. What I found that met those requirements is the Aveeno Baby spf 30. Other than that, they only had Coppertone and Banana Boat brands that had lots of additives. We tried the Aveeno on Saturday and voila! No rash! So that's what we'll stick with. I appreciate knowing what to look for and what to avoid from all your input!
It is possible that she is allergic to some of the other "stuff" in the sunscreen, fragrance, etc.
I use a product called SolBar. It is not at all creamy, it is a thin watery gel. It absorbs immediately into skin and doesn't leave you sticky.
You can get it without a prescription, but most pharmacies don't stock it, you'll have to order it, or perhaps you can find it online.
I have a daughter that has sensitive skin too. There's a brand called Earth's Best,and it is all organic products. The have a product called Mineral Based Sunblock SPF30+.
Hope this helps.
My child is not allergic to sunscreen, but I am. I have had the best luck with those that are labeled "chemical free". Neutregena sells one. The active ingredient is titanium dioxide, which provides more of a physical barrier than a chemical barrier. Another one that I have not had too much problems with is Banana Boat Sensitive Skin Plus (SPF 30). The active ingredients are homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate, and titanium dioxide. Also, make sure that it is fragrance-free. She could have a sensitivity to the fragrance.
P. L
Hi L.,
I have 2 boys (age 3 & 6)with very sensitive skin & allergies. We have used California Baby fragrance free sunscreen for years and it works well for us. It is available at Whole Foods. Just this last year I ventured out & tried another brand also from Whole Foods and it seems to be fine too - Kiss My Face, fragrance free. This one is nicer because it is in a spray bottle but for an infant I would use the California Baby brand. Good luck!
A.
L.,
Arbonne's baby sunscreen is botanical-based with no artificial colors or fragrances, which is probably what your daughter's skin is reacting to in the commerical brands. Also, there is a school of thought that 30 spf is high as you want to go with kids- too high of spf can actaully "burn" their skin. Better to reapply often and be smart about how much suntime they get.
Write me or call me at ###-###-####. You need to go through a distributor for Arbonne- I'll order direct and have it shipped to you if you like with my 35% discount, or you can pick it up (I'm in Oak Park).
T.
Look at the ingredients and see what the sunscreen is. Try a physical block, like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, and try to stay away from combination sunscreens. If that doesn't work, time to try a pediatrician or a dermatologist. Good luck!
I am allergic to sunscreen SPF I can't have it in make-up lotions or chapstick. I get the same reaction your child has I finally figured just to avoid oxybenzone and the other chemicals in the tradional spf. I usually avoid the sun or have had luck at the health food store Zerbos they have a lot of products and you can use the same products on children and adults usuall products for kids don't have the irritating ingredients like adultsunscreen might have.
Hope this helps,
A. Mom of 4 Redford
I don't remember the exact name. I am at work and unable to look. My son also is very senitive to sunscreen. Anyway It is only at CVS. It is call Lizard something. It comes in a little white tube. Costs more, but works great.
Hope that helps.
I get a similar response. From what I have read, it is actually a reaction to the sun and the sunscreen may or may not make it worse. I would check with your doctor to be sure. In my case, it improves as the summer goes on. I have tried different sunscreens and none of them make a difference!
http://thegreenparent.blogspot.com/search?q=sun+block
This ming give you a hand in finding a good one fore your family.
:) A. H
Many, many sunscreens include chemicals that can be toxic to the skin and other organs. There is a website (www.ewg.org) where you can find sunscreens that are natural and non-toxic. You might pay more, but it's worth it.
Good luck!
L.
Have you tried Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion? My daughter has fair skin and a sensitivity to suncreen and this brand work out well for her.
I am allergic to paraben (a preservative found in just about EVERY kind of cream, lotion, etc...) and I have a similar reaction with red itchy bumps on my skin. I was told by my dermatologist that this allergy is very mild (compared to other ingredients I am severely allergic to) and the itching I get is almost unbearable. So I can sympathize!!! If you don't want to take your baby to a dermatologist for an allergy test (which I would highly recommend because she may be allergic to other ingredients as I am), you could start by getting a paraben-free product. You have to really read labels, it can be called methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben - they are all parabens. I am going to try Aveeno sunscreen this summer - I think they are paraben free but haven't investigated fully yet. I do use their lotions for my whole family and their body wash for my son with great results. Here is a link about paraben-free sunscreen if you are interested. Good luck!
http://www.ehow.com/how_###-###-####_find-paraben-free-su...
It sounds like she is allergic. Call your doctor.
L.,
I agree that you should consult her doctor - at least it's worth a phone call to see what they say.
One of my boys had a reaction to one of the "cheaper" brands of baby sunscreen last summer. Now I only use California Baby no frangrance. It is more expensive, but certainly worth the extra money!
The Skin Deep website is a great reference for safer products if you haven't already found it. All products labeled "baby" are not the same! :)
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/browse.php?category=baby...
My daughter doesn't typically have sensitive skin but I've always used organic sunscreen. And the one time that someone put non-organic sunscreen on her (I think it was water babies), she broke out in a rash and her eyes got all red and watery. So my best suggestion is to use organic or all natural sunscreen. I would recommend staying away from the Earth's Best brand. It works just fine but the consistency is very pasty and it's difficult to rub in.
California Baby...you can get it at Target or at Whole Foods. Its the gentlest sunscreen out their for babies. It is a little pricy, but trust me, a little bit goes a long way!
Good luck!
