Sulfa Drug Allergy - Need to find a safe sunscreen

[Tiffylv]

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[AustinTink]

My son has a severe sulfa drug allergy and we have never been made aware of any relation to sulfa in sunscreens. That said, we all have very sensitive skin and this is our sunscreen of choice... http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/vanicream-sunscreen-spf-50+/ID=prod6179384-product

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Thanks, I think it looks more to be a chemical reaction that I am having but it's strange since I did itch and my throat was tingling and "off". I am going to research through that article and the suggestions here for the vanicream sunscreen.

its it just so tough because I have an auto-immune problem and have problems being in the sun already. This last time with the sunscreen I used it took 6 weeks for the the scaling and rash to even start to go down.

Thanks everyone, I really do appreciate all the advice.

 

[scrhsa]

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.

I'll have to ask my daughter if she has had any kinds of problems lately. I never would have thought there could be a relation. Hope all works out well for you!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks, I think it looks more to be a chemical reaction that I am having but it's strange since I did itch and my throat was tingling and "off". I am going to research through that article and the suggestions here for the vanicream sunscreen.

its it just so tough because I have an auto-immune problem and have problems being in the sun already. This last time with the sunscreen I used it took 6 weeks for the the scaling and rash to even start to go down.

Thanks everyone, I really do appreciate all the advice.

Perhaps here is part of the issue. Those on sulfa drugs are supposed to limit sun exposure while taking them. Maybe the combination of your auto-immune issue and the photo-sensitivity of sulfa drugs is a trigger for your reaction.

 

[minkydog]

Hmmm, never heard of this before. I'm allergic to Sulfa, too, but I don't think it's every caused me a problem with sunscreen. The one and only time I ever had a problem with sunscreen was when bought a new brand that was blue going on, then turned white then clear when as it was absorbed. I used it because it looked like a cool product and the kids were thrilled to put it on. I put it on all 5 of us and we went to the beach. When we returned about 2 hours later every one of us had some degree of rash and itchy skin, but only on those parts that had contact with the sunscreen. I threw that stuff away!

 

[Mokat76]

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

You're welcome. I just realized I spelled the product wrong. It's Cera Ve. I hope you find something that works for you.

 

[MainMom]

Try sunscreens not found in Walmart or target. Our preferred brands are badger, blue lizard, and kiss my face all unscented. Sunscreen is not regulated by the FDA there are tons of chemicals in them that are banned in other countries. Check out EWG's annual sunscreen guide for the best information. It's certainly eye opening reading.

 

[Superchikk]

I have a sulfa allergy. I can't use ANY Neutrogena products - they all cause a skin reaction.

I also have a history of skin cancer, so I'm pretty particular about my sunscreen because I use it a lot.

My Dermatologist has also told me that spray-on (aerosol) sunscreens are unreliable and he doesn't recommend them for anyone. I've tried a LOT of sunscreens on myself and my kids - we spend a lot of time at the pool in the summer. I really dislike some brands, but that's mostly for my personal reasons. Right now, my brand of choice for my kids is Jason. I buy it from Vitacost.com, but you can also find it on Amazon and at places like Whole Foods and other natural stores. It's about $7-8/tube. It goes on, stays on, doesn't leave a chemical smell in your clothes, and it WORKS. I'm currently using Rodan + Fields on myself. It's $22-$25/tube. I would probably never pay that for sunscreen, but it was a promo. I like it, but I don't know that I like it enough to continue to purchase it vs. use the Jason I already use on my kids. I also have some Kiss My Face brand that I like, but not as well. It doesn't seem to last as long.

 

[joannamet]

I have a Sulfa allergy. I can use anything on my body but sunscreen burns my face. I use baby sunscreen lotions; the white stuff. Works great and doesn't irritate my skin.

 

[disney world dreamer]

i don't see how sunscreen could be connected to a sulfa allergy.
no sunscreen i've ever used has sulfa in it.
you really can't have a reaction and say it has something to do with your sulfa allergy if there is no sulfa in the product.

my entire family has a sulfa allergy mine probably being the worst as my entire body broke out in giant hives that did not go away until i had two packs of steroids.

personally i'm a fan of hawaiian tropics. the "sheer touch" on as well as the "silk hydration" one smell very similar to the combo of oranges and pine trees in soarin.

i've used all different kinds of sunscreens in the past from neutrogena to banana boat to bullfrog as well as store brands and i've never had an issue.

i think you may be sensitive to an ingredient in that particular sunscreen and/or other sunscreens that have that particular formula but i don't think it has anything to do with a sulfa allergy.

i'm interested in knowing what your doctor thinks.

btw when i was just googling about sulfa allergy and sunscreen most of what i saw was either that sunscreens have sulfates in them (not the same as sulfa) or that when you are using a sulfa drug your skin can be more sensitive to the sun.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

People allergic to PABA may be allergic to other similar chemicals, including para-phenylenediamine (found in hair dye) and sulfonamide (sulfa) medications.

Above is from here: http://allergies.about.com/od/contactdermatitis/a/sunscreens.htm

There are other sites but they tend to be very technical and hard to understand.

I understand that many people with a sulfa drug allergy may not have problems with sunscreen and or any creams and others may have reactions rather quickly. I think of it as when someone is allergic to a certain food and other foods not normally associated with with it are also included.

I have gotten some great ideas and will be looking for a few of the products on this thread to purchase and try. If I can't use them, they all seem better for my family to use than the chemical-laden sunscreen I seem to have in my home right now. Those will be disposed of. Again, I really appreciate all the suggestions on the thread.

 

[SMD]

I have a sulfa allergy. I can't use ANY Neutrogena products - they all cause a skin reaction.

I'm also allergic to sulfa and get a reaction to all Neutrogena products that I've come in contact with in 20+ years. I don't think it's related as I have other allergies in addition to just sulfa.

 

[Meriweather]

DD has a sulfa allergy............since about 10 and now 32, never had a reaction to sunscreen

 

[Kellykins1218]

I slather myself in whatever sunscreen is available. I've tried almost every brand but usually stick with Coppertone for Kids and Waterbabies. No issues at all.

 

[LJSquishy]

Try Raw Elements Eco Form sunscreen...it's natural and not full of chemicals like Neutrogena, Coppertone, Banana Boat, Babyganics (this brand is deceiving), etc.

EWG rated it very high...I think their #1 choice actually.