Sulfa Drug Allergy - Need to find a safe sunscreen

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I have a Sulfa allergy. Never reacted to sunscreen before. Tried a new Neutrogena sunscreen in March while in Universal and had a horrible dermatitis reaction. Actually looked like a lizard.

Does anyone with a sulfa allergy have a sunscreen they recommend that is safe? I am going to ask the doctor next visit but every google search I do comes up with no real information to help figure this out.

If it is just a certain ingredient and you are aware can you please let me know? I will look for one without it.

I am taking my son back to college in August and have a week at Disney planned. I will wear a hat and loose fitting clothes that cover as much as possible, but I don't want to deal with heat stroke or anything else along with this horrible reaction.

I have never broken out before from sunscreen but now they all seem to bother me. Can anyone help?

 

[firecracker725]

I have a Sulfa allergy. Never reacted to sunscreen before. Tried a new Neutrogena sunscreen in March while in Universal and had a horrible dermatitis reaction. Actually looked like a lizard.

Does anyone with a sulfa allergy have a sunscreen they recommend that is safe? I am going to ask the doctor next visit but every google search I do comes up with no real information to help figure this out.

If it is just a certain ingredient and you are aware can you please let me know? I will look for one without it.

I am taking my son back to college in August and have a week at Disney planned. I will wear a hat and loose fitting clothes that cover as much as possible, but I don't want to deal with heat stroke or anything else along with this horrible reaction.

I have never broken out before from sunscreen but now they all seem to bother me. Can anyone help?

Likely your reaction doesn't have anything to do with your allergy. Lots of people have reactions to ingredients in sunscreen. You should talk to a dermatologist, but it would help if we knew the specific product you had a reaction to as well as some products that have worked for you in the past.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I reacted to Neutrogena ultra sheer dry touch. It is a SPF 70. It has Helioplex on the package. I have used all different types in the past from Coppertone to store brands, Banana Boat, whatever was on sale.

i realize that many people have problems with sunscreen. After researching what happened and googling the brand, many people with Sulfa allergies had a problem with this Sunscreen. Problem was - no one spoke of what ingredient brought them to the "Sulfa" connection. I tried another brand similar a few moments ago and am now washing it off and taking a benadryl. It is also a newer product on the market.

I will wait until the itches and reactions go away and will try Coppertone. Just would like to see if anyone had any answer before trying each one.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

I have a sulfa allergy, but I don't know of anything in sunscreens that can trigger my allergy. Are you certain there is a connection?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have a sulfa allergy, but I don't know of anything in sunscreens that can trigger my allergy. Are you certain there is a connection?

Me, too. Sulfa allergy and no reactions to sunscreens. I typically use the No-Ad brand from WalMart. But have also used Coppertone Water Babies.

 

[scrhsa]

My daughter has a sulfa allergy and never had a reaction to anything but the medication. We would even have to explain to the vet not to give anything with sulfa in it for our pets. We usually used Banana boat sun screen with no reactions. A friend of mine has severe reactions to some lotions. It is a particular ingredient. Sorry but I can't remember the name of it.. and even if I did, I bet I couldn't spell it She has to read labels on every product she buys. From lotions, perfumes, detergents...you name it!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I have a sulfa allergy, but I don't know of anything in sunscreens that can trigger my allergy. Are you certain there is a connection?

From researching yes there seems to be a connection. I did not know this and have never had a problem before. I am thinking that with the new formulas out there that there may be a new ingredient that is really good for sunscreen but reacts with people who have a Sulfa allergy.

As I said I am going to the doctors and will ask them their opinion. I was really hoping someone else had this reaction and could steer me to a safe product.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

My daughter has a sulfa allergy and never had a reaction to anything but the medication. We would even have to explain to the vet not to give anything with sulfa in it for our pets. We usually used Banana boat sun screen with no reactions. A friend of mine has severe reactions to some lotions. It is a particular ingredient. Sorry but I can't remember the name of it.. and even if I did, I bet I couldn't spell it She has to read labels on every product she buys. From lotions, perfumes, detergents...you name it!

I will get a small Banana boat. I never have reactions to creams or other products. This was a first and like I said it didn't even click until we got home. I started googling the actual product and people with Sulfa allergies noted problems. Then I googled sunscreen and sulfa and it does state that some products can cause a reaction, but I can't seem to find out what ingredient is the problem.

Maybe the articles were incorrect and it's not the Sulfa. But it is something and "lizard" is really not a good look on me. Plus the itching and stuff is a real problem.

 

[cabanafrau]

I'd be interested in hearing what you find out. I don't have a certain allergy to sulfa, but as of about 12 years ago I was at least sensitive. Never had a problem with sunscreen before either.

Don't forget to pay attention to your makeup and hair products, most have sunscreen these days.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I'd be interested in hearing what you find out. I don't have a certain allergy to sulfa, but as of about 12 years ago I was at least sensitive. Never had a problem with sunscreen before either.

Don't forget to pay attention to your makeup and hair products, most have sunscreen these days.

Thank you. Didn't even think of that. I really think it is a new ingredient as I have had this allergy a long time. Used sunscreen with no problem. It only happened so far with newer sunscreen products. But if the ingredient works I am sure it would be used in more products as time goes on.

 

[Mokat76]

I recently developed a horrible allergy to most sunscreens, but only on my face and neck. It sounds somewhat like what you're describing. My face got red and swollen. Looked and felt worse than any sunburn. Someone recommended products using zinc oxide. I use Cera Vie for faces 50 spf and it works like a charm. No burn. No breakout. They offer an spf 30 body sunscreen, too. It disappears into the skin without the creepy pasty white tinge. It's not cheap but it works. I found it at Walmart and CVS.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I recently developed a horrible allergy to most sunscreens, but only on my face and neck. It sounds somewhat like what you're describing. My face got red and swollen. Looked and felt worse than any sunburn. Someone recommended products using zinc oxide. I use Cera Vie for faces 50 spf and it works like a charm. No burn. No breakout. They offer an spf 30 body sunscreen, too. It disappears into the skin without the creepy pasty white tinge. It's not cheap but it works. I found it at Walmart and CVS.

Thank you I will look for this product. I was reading more and Zinc Oxide was being talked about a lot.

 

[firecracker725]

How timely... http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2015/06/neutrogena-sunscreen-toxic-avoid/

A quick Google search led me to many mentions of reactions to that particular product, but I couldn't find anything linking it to sulfa drugs. Personally, I use Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple for myself and my children. It's zinc oxide based, so it's a physical block that sits on top of your skin to block the sun. Works well for us.

 

[Bilberry]

I have not tried it myself but have thought to buying in the future. I've seen this sunscreen advertised as being hypoallergenic. It doesn't have any artificial ingredients in it.

http://shop.mercola.com/product/natural-sunscreen-spf-50-54-fl-oz-per-bottle-1-bottle,158,71,0.htm

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I have really bad reactions to Sulfa drugs and have no issues. We use Aveeno products because my son is sensitive and I haven't had a problem.

 

[CaoilinnsMom]

I have a sulfa drug allergy and I cannot use most chemical sunscreens. I don't think the two are related, just a coincidence. I use physical blocker sunscreens, I just found a good one for my face and upper body that I like it is made my Babo, I think. Goes on shear and is easy to apply. I think it is a new product, but they just started carrying it on Amazon. $20 for a little tube, but I have been using it for a while now. Seems good.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am seveerely allergic to sulfa. Can not take Sulfa antibiotics at all.

I have used a few Neutrogena sunscreen products, and have had no reaction to these.
Just got back from vacation not too long ago, and used like 3 neutrogena products.
(Did have one BAD reaction to an Hawaiian Tropic product a few years ago.)

If sunscreens, in general, are causing reactions, then that might be a totally different thing, but just co-existing.
Sensitivities can be that way.

I wish I could help you determine what is causing this for you!!!
But, I really have no idea.

Have you tried some sunscreens that are supposed to be less 'sensitive'.
Products for babies?
All natural or 'reef safe' products?

 

[E&Cmom]

Interesting. I have a sulfa allergy but have no issues to sun screen. I did have a reaction to shellfish a few months back which I never had before but I know some allergies develop as you get older.

 

[Christine]

I have a sulfa allergy and can also not use chemical sunscreens. I don't think this is related, though. I've been allergic to sulfa since I was a baby but only reacted to chemical sunscreens in the last 10 years. So I used them for 20 years with no problems.

Besides all that, I have very sensitive skin so I react to many things on my face and my neck that are in makeup or lotions.

I have ZERO issues with physical sunscreens--these are the ones containing zinc oxide (and there's another one). Anyway, I've used the Vanicream brand as well as Cere Ve. In fact, any of them have worked out well for me.

 

[Gracie09]

I have a severe sulfa allergy and never had an issue with sunscreen. I use neutrogenia and blue lizard generally. But occasionally branch out to others