Sunscreen problems with my kids..need advice

[K&KsMom]

Have any of you experienced a child being allergic to sunscreen? DS (3) breaks out in a red prickly rash every time we put it on him and it lasts a week or two depending how often we put it on him. Our ped. recommended Water Babies and DS still broke out. Any other suggestions?

 

[Gillian]

We also use Bullfrog Gel, but not the spray. We use the gel for our faces & it works!

Also the coppertone sport spray was wonderful for my pasty white son last summer. We spray it on before he gets fully dressed. It gets used up very quickly and is expensive, but worth it. It's convenient before and during camp.

I am an Avon rep and also use our products. They work very well, but also get used up quickly.

 

[princessjv]

Have any of you experienced a child being allergic to sunscreen? DS (3) breaks out in a red prickly rash every time we put it on him and it lasts a week or two depending how often we put it on him. Our ped. recommended Water Babies and DS still broke out. Any other suggestions?

I would try the Vanicream Sunblock, it is developed by derm. My DS & DD both have allergies and severe eczema. Neither have had an issue with it.

Good Luck!

 

[nbodyhome]

I bought my first Solumbra shirt last year (I play to buy a couple of more pieces of clothing from them this year). The clothing is pricey, compared to what I normally spend - but I don't have to wear sunblock on my arms/torso when I wear it, and the clothing is actually quite cool. One bonus also - the fabric dries VERY quickly. So you can probably just wash it in the sink, and it will be dry within an hour or so. I wash my shirt normally, and it takes like a half hour to dry out of the washer.

http://www.sunprecautions.com/cgi-bin/sgdynamo.exe?HTNAME=_home.htm

IMHO, this is better than worrying about sunscreen on the arms. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied, sweats off, and I never get a burn when I wear my shirt. You would bring one or two per person, and just wear it during the day (and wash it at night).

I wish I'd done it sooner! I had a pre-melanoma about 6 years ago, so I really need to be careful. And the clothing isn't all stylish, but I don't care. I'd rather live healthy than be trendy.

 

[littleteapot]

When researching the Rosacea I found a lot of information on sunscreens. Europe has several better sunscreen ingrediants approved that the FDA is taking their time approving.

I ordered Bioderma spf 100 Photoderm Max. It is fantastic stuff and my red headed child made it through an entire season of swim team without even getting pink. I ordered from delivereddeals and beautycenter
It is expensive, but goes a long way and IMO is totally worth it.

hth,

 

[iamjkmb]

I have THE BEST sunscreen ever made!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My daughter was in a really bad accident a couple of years ago and completely messed up her face. We live in Utah and the summers here are very hot, plus we're elevated and so it only takes a few minutes in the 110 degree sun to get completely sunburned. We were told that my daughter had to stay out of the sun for 2 years after her accident. She was only 8 and it was near impossible and depressing for her. So, I did a lot of research. I found this sunscreen that hikers, fisherman and proffessional surfers use. I couldn't find it in the grocery stores, but they have it at places like RCI and Cabella's. It's called Aloe Gator 40+ gel. It says it's total sunblock, super waterproof, lasts 8 full hours, broad spectrum sunray protection, won't sting eyes. This stuff is amazing! It's been 2 years now and not once did she get sunburned or even any color on her face. She got my mom's Italian skin and so she gets really dark, but for the last 2 summers her body was dark and her face was completely white...looked a bit funny, but it was AWESOME!!!!!

 

[Alexander]

I would also recommend you talk to the children's pediatrician. My sister bought bullfrog for her boys and they totally, completely burned. Her ped. said that different brands will work differently on different people, skin types, etc. We use water babies in the pink bottle. DS (now 7) makes me hide the bottle so no one knows we are using something he deems is for babies!

 

[iamjkmb]

Also, the Gator sunscreen doesn't cost a whole lot and it lasts for ever!!! I have 5 kids and use it on each of them. I've been recommending it to friends and family because it's worked so well. We had some friends visit from Ireland and we took them to an amusement park. I put some on their teenage daughter and she was very upset because she didn't get any color at all.

 

[Mom2R&D]

And a friendly reminder: Don't forget to put sunblock on the part in your hair! I slathered myself from (almost) head to toe on our last WDW trip and never gave a minute's thought to the TOP of my head. The part in my hair got completely ROASTED and was so painful! It only took a day to figure out that I needed to apply sunblock there, too. Consider it a lesson learned the hard way.

 

[KristiKelly]

Our Pediatrician gave us samples of Blue Lizard to use on DD when we went to WDW last September. She was 3 mo. at the time and we had no problems with her getting any sun.

 

[rparmfamily]

I live in Florida and use Baby Magic (I think) pink bottle sunscreen. It's very thick and pasty to put on but really works. My kids don't have tan lines and we spend all summer in the sun! (one exception, see below!) I also use the spray, but it's not as thick and you have to reapply more often.

My MIL & FIL came down and we took the kids to Blizzard Beach for the day, DD got some sun (first time ever!) and I think MIL used some cheap adult kind (was SPF 30 it said). It just didn't cover like the Baby Magic did.

FYI, our hottest part of the day is 3pm. I'd avoid the sun from about 12-5 if possible! Go take a nap, rest, chill out, that's what Floridians do!

 

[Figment&Piglet]

Have any of you experienced a child being allergic to sunscreen? DS (3) breaks out in a red prickly rash every time we put it on him and it lasts a week or two depending how often we put it on him. Our ped. recommended Water Babies and DS still broke out. Any other suggestions?

This happens to me every time and I'm 37 y.o.! I'm no dermatologist, but here's what I've deduced: it's the "chemical" sunscreens that do it. Most sunscreens (including Water Babies) block the sun using some kind of chemical.

If I use a "physical" sunscreen, i.e., one with titanium dioxide like Neutrogena Sensitive Skin or Baby Magic, voila, no rash! They're much thicker and tougher to apply, and they do show white a bit, but I think that's how they block the sun. The Neutrogena works well, but is not waterproof, so I bought the Baby Magic and use it on my daughter AND myself. It stays on really well and no burn (and believe me, I look like Caspar).

Hope this helps!

 

[TinkerbellMama]

Have any of you experienced a child being allergic to sunscreen? DS (3) breaks out in a red prickly rash every time we put it on him and it lasts a week or two depending how often we put it on him. Our ped. recommended Water Babies and DS still broke out. Any other suggestions?

We use only non-chemical sunblock for our son. He is extremely fair-skinned and blond (like both his parents!) and has never burned. Frankly, I am not a fan of anything that goes in or on the human body and contains chemicals, but that's just me...and YES we buy non-chemical toiletries/cleaning products and 90% organic foods...we are "those people"... The non-chemical ones are much more expensive, but well worth it. To avoid any type of favoritism, I'll not mention brand names and just let you do a search for "non-chemical sunscreen" so you can decide which type might work best for your family. Good luck!

 

[ruttie]

Live in florida near beach all my life have blondies and rediies for kids BULLFROG is the best they have one called WATER PRO GEL from bull frog it is amazing my kids can go to the beach and spend most of the day and not get burned we live in our pool, and you practically have to scrub it off with soap and water... PLUS we are all very sensative skinned