I'm allergic to sunscreen!

[sammielynn]

Another Blue Lizard fan. But look close, the Blue Lizard Australian sun screen is made in Tennessee!

 

[CTmommyx3]

my middle son had this happen 3 years ago on a disney trip. It was the same sunscreen we used since he was tiny. I found out later that they changed the ingrediants in it.
I tried many for him including blue lizard some from a company called kiss my face i think. In the end the only one I found that did not cause any issues was neutagena sport silver lotion bottle he can also use that same kind in the spray.
any other kind seemed to bother him
Maybe I would get some new kinds that are less harsh and test them before your trip.
I always tested any on him on the back of his neck or ears.. where if it broke out it would not be crazy bad.
good luck

 

[alloyd1170]

I ran into that problem with Neutrogena's Helioplex sunscreen. Check out Coolibar for clothing. etc. We have swim shirts and hats and they have held up for several years of pools, boating and salt water. Columbia Sportswear also has lightweight sun (and even some with bug) protection built in.

 

[bytheblood]

You need to go back to your dermatologist and ask this question - not a public forum. It is best to seek medical advice from a professional - and one that has seen you personally is the nest way to go.

 

[My2Pixies]

My girls and I have very sensitive skin and have to use California Baby No Fragrance sunscreen lotion. They also have a stick formula for faces. I have seen them at Target but they are very popular products and disappear quickly.

 

[DramaGirl]

My brother is allergic to sunscreen as well, and there's a specific kind he uses. I'll look into it and let you know what it is.

 

[Dolby1000]

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

I'll ask my Doctor about Blue Lizard and the others, and I'll look up the clothing options.

I knew the Disboarders would have some suggestions I would not think of.

Dolby1000

 

[MeganFyne]

I am not terribly allergic to sunscreen but am totally allergic to deodorant so I've just been using whatever sunscreens etc I can get from my local organic store and haven't had problems in ages (my skin would peel in sheets, be red, and inflamed etc from aluminum, similar problems from sunscreen and sweat) and have found that since I've done the organic thing I can go out in the sun! I cannot, unfortunately, think of brands off the top of my head, but if you PM me I'll do some investigative reporting, however, I will say any brands you get at your local health food store or whole foods will help if you have the same problem that I do.

 

[codimouse]

my 8 year old is allergic to all sunscreens too. we use sun protectant clothing on her. we also keep avoid having her in the sun for long periods of time.

 

[disfan07]

Also ask about vanicream. I have severe eczema and I am allergic to lanolin and parabens and PABA is often cross-reacted with parabens (meaning, if you are allergic to parabens you are usually at least sensitive to PABA).

 

[squirrel]

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 niece had that too. The people at First Aid said it could be anything (detergent on the bedding, sun, sunscreen, etc). We never did find out what it was.


For the water park you can get rashguards with long sleeves. I would try and find out what exactly you are allergic to in the sunscreen.

I use to use No-Ad sunscreen but now they made the bottles smaller and added Disney Characters to them and raised the price a lot. I really like that brand but got great deals on Hawiian Tropic and Banana Boat almost two years ago. I picked up some that had a long expiration date.

 

[kaligal]

Long, flowy clothing. An umbrella.

But first, I'd try a new dermatologist.

 

[cm8]

we use one made with organic and natural ingredients and have not had a problem since it's made by Mercola

 

[WrenNCuckoos]

My daughter, who never had a diaper rash or rash from anything really, developed an allergy to almost every sun screen the summer she turned 2, after having no problems with baby sunscreens the two years before that. California Baby works for her, but it's definitely not cheap here in the UK. Blue Lizard was next on my list to try when researching it.

 

[mousireid]

We use california baby lotion because it is NOT absorbed or sunbum has a spray that is. They are a little more expensive but you are paying for natural products, no alcohol, Paraben free /PABA free, Hypoallergenic.
The very harmful chemicals you use in sunscreen are dangerous and are absorbed - often causing reactions and irritations. I wouldn't spray my child with cleaning products either! But I know sunscreen (if you can use it) is better than no sunscreen.
There are great hats, sun protective clothing available - but ANY exposed skin can be burned and cancer doesn't care what is exposed!
Some people swear by eating broccoli, tomatoes with olive oil and green tea for example as natural booster to 'help' protect against the sun (but I am guessing they would need to be in great amounts as they only offer spf of 2 or 3 when consumed).
No one wants to burn or blister so if you can find a product that works its great! Some stores offer small trial packs or have trial bottles available in store. You could do a test area on your arm for example? Even ask their websites to send a sample to try - instead of buying another useless product?!
Best of luck, hope you can find something that works for you!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

For those liking the No-Ad sunscreen, I got some at Target yesterday in the dollar spot (well, it was a $2.50 item). They had 15 and 50. Not a huge amount (3 oz), but a decent size and small enough to throw in my backpack for the day.

 

[Dolby1000]

Long, flowy clothing. An umbrella.

But first, I'd try a new dermatologist.

Why would I get a different one? Finding out exactly what ingrediant or combination of ingrediants is affecting me isn't an easy answer. That is why I am working with a Dermatologist to find out what the issue is. But, this is not stopping me from visting FL in May. I'll work around it.

This only started happenning a last year when I was in Aruba. I am 49 years old! So this is something that is only occuring lately; up until now I have always used SPF 45 or higher and have had success with regular sunblock creams or sprays. Knowing how much I enjoy being outdoors, I have always been extra careful to protect myself from the harmful sun rays, maybe I have used to much, I don't know. Been a bit fustrating, really. But I take skin cancer very seriously, so I do want to be protected.

Also, and I do truly appreciate everyone's suggestions and help, I am a male, don't be surprised if I go a different direction on some of the clothing choices. I forgot that my log on name is gender neutral. That is why I asked about track pants because I can pick up a $5 pair at Wal-mart or target and it is a cheap option.

Dolby1000

 

[alloyd1170]

Not all clothing is sun proof. A lot depends on the fabric and how it is woven. A white tee shirt, for example, is not good. As a male, do check out Columbia Sportswear as I mentioned above as they are geared more towards men. I picked up several of the fishing type shirts for a trip to the Galapagos (on the equator). They are lightweight, vented for airflow, and with the long sleeved version you can roll up the sleeves. I didn't use any sunscreen where the shirt covered me and I never got burned. They also have some regular tee shirts and polo tops that offer sun protection (as well as pants, zip off pants, etc). It's about all I took on my trip, plus it was easy to wash in the sink as it dries fast!

 

[kaligal]

Why would I get a different one?

If it were me and my dermatologist was telling me not to wear sunscreen, I'd seek a second opinion.

A second opinion is, for some people (like me), a good idea.

But if you don't want a second opinion, by all means, stick with your doctor. No skin off my nose (tee hee, little joke there).