I'm allergic to sunscreen!

[Dolby1000]

So, I've had rashes and all sorts of skin problems, mostly during the summer and my dermatologist has now told me that I should not/cannot use sunscreen! Also, aloe has the same effect on me.

I love being out in the sun during the day and I love visiting the water parks? What options do I have? Not visiting is not an option, there is always an alternative solution.

At the theme parks I can wear pants, shoes, t-shirts and a hat. Will the water parks allow track pants (or trackies) and a long-sleeve t-shirt or rash type shirt? I know water parks hate anything with rivets (even some board shorts have rivets on the pockets), but track pants usual don't.

I'm glad I can avoid getting a terrible rash, but there is no way I'm staying inside at Disney as I am a hot weather freak and just love being outdoors during summery weather.

I'll probably take a break during the midday to avoid the most direct sunlight, but otherwise, I'm not going to let this stop me from enjoying the FL sun in three weeks time.

Dolby1000

 

[bumbershoot]

You will likely want to find all the SPF clothing that you can.

Just in case you haven't tried *every* type of sunscreen, and this might be a really stupid suggestion BUT I didn't react to it and I react even to natural lavender laundry detergent...have you tried Walmart's NoAd sunscreen? It's the only thing I will go to walmart for, it's that nice and calm (and helpful).


And what about sun *block*? I guess it's a different sort of way of blocking the sun...did the derm test you for that too?

 

[imthatgirl]

We don't wear sunscreen in this house. We use sun protectant clothing instead. We buy a lot of things through Coolibar and Solartex. Have you tried looking into this option?

 

[MHSweb79]

I agree you might want to try a zinc-based sunscreen, in addition to sun-protection clothing.

Almost all lotions and sunscreens give me a rash (laundry detergents are a big offender too) but I can use Neutrogena Dry-Touch sunscreen, as long as the SPF isn't too high. I have very fair skin as well, and mainly I wear a big hat and avoid standing in direct sunlight too long.

My family makes fun of me in my giant Crusher hat (from Duluth Trading) but it's been a godsend.

 

[Schmeck]

We don't wear sunscreen in this house. We use sun protectant clothing instead. We buy a lot of things through Coolibar and Solartex. Have you tried looking into this option?

How do you protect your hands and face?

 

[imthatgirl]

How do you protect your hands and face?

Hats for our faces. Hands, well I don't put any worry into that.

 

[pigletto]

Last summer I developed an issue. Raised red bumps on my arms and chest area when I go out in the sun (looks like hives). It got very bad while at Disney this year... didn't feel itchy or sore but it looked terrible. I am trying to figure out if it's the sunscreen I use or the sun itself. Was this something you've always had? Mine just started last year and I can't figure it out

 

[SDSorority]

Last summer I developed an issue. Raised red bumps on my arms and chest area when I go out in the sun (looks like hives). It got very bad while at Disney this year... didn't feel itchy or sore but it looked terrible. I am trying to figure out if it's the sunscreen I use or the sun itself. Was this something you've always had? Mine just started last year and I can't figure it out

I used to get that at band camps I worked at. I'm not sure what it was either. I don't think it was from sunscreen, but it very well may have been. Could have been a form of heat rash.... and it sure FREAKED me out seeing it!!

 

[Finally08]

My dd is also allergic to almost all sunscreens. We tried the PABA free kinds (many many brands) because it seems that is the most common allergy, but even those made her face and eyes swell, and caused hives all over her body.
Finally a derm recommended Blue Lizard, which I had to order online. We have used it once and so far - success! I am excited to find something because she is white as a sheet, so our only other option was just avoiding outdoors during the daytime.

Maybe a more sensitive brand would work for you if you haven't tried it?

 

[Nettester]

My daughter has extremely sensitive skin and has rashed in just about every kind of sunscreen we've tried, including ones that say they are for kids and also for sensitive skin, etc. The ONLY kind that she can use is Waterbabies or the Target generic version of Waterbabies. She will be 12 this year, that still that is all that I ever allow her to use.

 

[ancestry]

Last summer I developed an issue. Raised red bumps on my arms and chest area when I go out in the sun (looks like hives). It got very bad while at Disney this year... didn't feel itchy or sore but it looked terrible. I am trying to figure out if it's the sunscreen I use or the sun itself. Was this something you've always had? Mine just started last year and I can't figure it out

My mother gets this. She was told it is sun poisoning and that she is basically allergic to the sun's rays. She has to really cover up when she is in the sun.

 

[An_Island_Girl]

Have you looked to see if it could be "prickly heat"? I get a terribly itchy rash, but only when I use sunscreen in tropical climates. At home here in New England, sunscreen doesn't bother me at all. It has to do with the heat and extreme humidity.

Just a thought?

 

[Mamu]

Two of my grandchildren have skin allergies and the dermatologist recommend Blue Lizard Sunscreens.

http://www.crownlaboratories.com/bluelizard

Don't know if your doctor has ever had you try this product, but both grandchildren have been able to use the product. Sometimes you can find it at CVS.

 

[allyphoe]

Will the water parks allow track pants (or trackies) and a long-sleeve t-shirt or rash type shirt?

I've worn long-sleeve LL Bean Tropicwear shirts over a swim top without any problem at BB and TL.

For bottoms, I'd go with something like this: http://www.hydrochic.com/longwaterpants.html unless you had experience with how something else reacts to water. (Thinking of "pants fall off when you climb out of the lazy river" more than anything.)

One of the girls at our pool swims in something like this: http://www.modestkini.com/?m=detay&urun=248 and they'll ship internationally.

 

[BLTLDZ]

Last summer I developed an issue. Raised red bumps on my arms and chest area when I go out in the sun (looks like hives). It got very bad while at Disney this year... didn't feel itchy or sore but it looked terrible. I am trying to figure out if it's the sunscreen I use or the sun itself. Was this something you've always had? Mine just started last year and I can't figure it out

I used to get that, and then sunscreen seemed to worsen it.
It is a slight sun allergy..


what helps me, is Blue Lizard.
It is the ONLY one that prevents the rash for me

http://www.dermstore.com/product_Blue+Lizard+Sensitive+Suncream+SPF+30_6808.htm

 

[Hoosier37]

What exactly are you allergic to in the sunscreen? I am allergic to triethanolamine, which is in a lot of goopy creamy type things. I can use spray sunscreen but not usually the lotion kind. I also cannot use the aloe gels, but I have found a Burts Bees after sun lotion that is soothing and cool and does not cause me to break out in a swollen itchy rash.

 

[ktlm]

Another vote for trying Blue Lizard here, and specifically the one for sensitive skin or the one for babies/kids (they are actually the same, just packaged differently for adults or kids).

 

[Goofy_Girl]

I use this , it's chemical free, I only use products from this company because of my sensitive skin so I hope this helps http://www.mychelle.com/Sun-Shield-SPF-28?sc=13&category=-113

 

[taylor3297]

I have to agree with the rest who recommend Blue Lizard. Both of my children can only use Blue Lizard. We buy the big bottle of Blue Lizard for sensitive skin, Spf 30 at drugstore.com. The stuff isn't cheap, big bottle is $25.99, but it is worth every penny.

 

[whitneyNC]

Hats don't protect faces from sun due to reflection off water, sand, light pavement, whatever. Blue Lizard, Clinique and Neutrogena all make physical sunblocks. They are chemical free (sunblock chemicals). They all work great. Neutrogena and Blue Lizard are available at my Target, Clinique at Dept. Store Clinique counters. Good luck, and don't think you are allergic to all sunblocks.