3 Yr Old Reacts to Sunscreen

Updated on May 26, 2009
S.M. asks from West Grove, PA
25 answers

Help- my almost 3 year old is having a strange reaction to sunscreen. About a month ago I applied sunscreen to my son and the next day he woke up with a red rash all over his face and ears. It was bright red and blotchy but soon spread together and ended up looking like a bad sunburn. Also by the end of the day he had a spotty rash on his arms which is the only other area it had been applied to besides his face. This "rash" lasted about 3-4 days...lightening each day. he never complained he was itchy but it felt warm to the touch.
His previous summers- he has NEVER had any type of reactions to sunscreen. I felt horrible! I began brainstorming and thought maybe the sunscreen was too old or maybe it was because I used waterproof and he never actually got all wet(to dilute it or wash it off).
Anyway I purchased a NEW bottle of Coppertone Water Babies and applied it yesterday. He went in the pool and had a blast. About 4 hours later his face started to get blotchy again and this morning his whole face looks sunburned--- nothing on the rest of body-yet.
Has anyone had a similar experience and was anyone told the probable ingredient that could be the culprit? I saw a Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunscreen that says it has "no irritating Chemicals" but don't want to spend the $8.00 if the probable ingredient is in it too.
Thanks in advance for your help!

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So What Happened?

YET again the fellow Mommies come through! Thank you all so much for taking the time to help! I am just amazed by the cosmeticdatabase web site and alarmed too! I can't believe some of the things I discovered about some products I have in my bathroom closet. I did try the neutrogena sensitive skin a couple times and so far so good- besides the fact that it does wash off quickly when playing in water- but I just am sure to reapply. I will be sure to try the other suggestions too but the Neutrogena was readily available without ordering online or searching all over for the other brands. I wish that we could trust that the brands we are using are safe for our kids. I have always used the coopertone babies and now to find out that just because it has the cute baby on the bottle does not mean it is all that safe nor good for babies.
Anyway thanks again for all you kind words and advice and I have made a list of safer lotions and added www.cosmeticdatabase.com to my FAVORITES!

Featured Answers

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J.I.

answers from Pittsburgh on

The best lotion that I have found for babies is called "blue lizard". It is an Australian product that sits on the skin, and is not absorbed. Becuase of the intensity of hte Australian sun and the high rate of skin cancer, they have some pretty good sun products. It is difficult to find here in the states, though. CVS used to carry it, and you can get it on line, through Amazon.

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N.B.

answers from Lancaster on

My step daughter had the same reaction to sunscreen a few years ago when I bought the cheap brand sun screen. Now we use Banana Boat sun block and she doesn't have that problem anymore. Good luck!

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K.N.

answers from Philadelphia on

We just had the same thing happen also...I bought a new spray Coopertone from Walmart and my 5 yr old had a reaction (face is all red and pimpley)...we have used this type for 4 yrs with no issue. See other people have had the same issue-they must have changed their formula.

More Answers

S.Y.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I had the same problem. Try California Baby (pricey, but worth it). I just found out that they are putting chemicals that aren't regulated by the FDA in sunscreen. Check out www.cosmeticdatabase.com. They have more info on sunscreen. I'm also avoiding any beauty product with parabens.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.K.

answers from Erie on

I just had this happen to my four yr old. I looked on the internet and it says that titanium oxide (?) Is what you should get if kids have a reaction and that anything with ---benezone will cause the reaction. (please don't take this as gospel because it didn't come from a dr just google) I had put Neutragena (I forget which formula) on my daughter and her arms cheeks, and neck are all rashy and itchy. I haven't gone yet to the store to see if i can find somethign that has the oxide in it.

for what it is worth, Chris may have something there with the chlorine being the irritant, someone on the message board that i found the info about the ingredients mentioned that she didn't react to the sunscreen itself, but the combination of sunscreen and water (probably the chlorine) resulted in a rash.

IF i can find somethign that works for my dd, i'll edit this response or message you, and please do the same if you find something before i do.

Another tip, is that the "surfer" type swimsuits with the longsleeves block the UV rays, check the tag to be sure. that way your son is exposed to less chemicals. Don't solve the ears and nose but it might be an idea.

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K.F.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My kids and I are the same way. The ingredient we are allergic to is octyl methoxycinnamate. I am more sensitive to it tham my kids and the Neutrogena you mentioned is the only sunscreen I can use.

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N.P.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi S.,

My son had the same reaction. My pediatrician said to use avon or nuetrogena. I switched to avon and he was fine, but then they did away with the one I like to I switched to Nuetrogena and he is still okay. I have also tried Aveno with no issues. Good luck with your search. I know it is frustrating.

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J.M.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My son has the same problem with sunscreens. I find it it is old, there is a problem, but I also find that he can ONLY use the Aveeno Baby Sunscreen - which is expensive - but it doesn't cause any rashes. I highly recommend trying it. You can buy it at most stores (I get mine at Babies R Us). When I used last years tube of Aveeno baby he also got a rash (because it was old), but when I bought a new tube this year, he was fine.

Good luck finding one that works for you.

J.

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M.R.

answers from Philadelphia on

The Neutrogena Sensitive sunscreen is great. My son has eczema and it is triggered by almost everything topical, especially fragrances. The Neutrogena sunscreen is the only one we've found that doesn't make him rashy and itchy. It's definitely NOT waterproof, though, so you may need to look for another option for swimming. (perhaps a sun hat and longsleeved rashguard with UPF in them?)

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R.G.

answers from York on

S.,
Suzie Y provided a great link www.cosmeticdatabase.com. Go to the skin care section to find sunscreen. I would start there and see what brands that are listed as safest you have easy access too. No money is too much when trying to protect your child from sunburn or in your case, a significant reaction to traditional store brands.

Personally, I used the database to find sunscreen for my family, and we have used UV Natural, as well as the California baby listed as 0 and the Badge Balm listed as 0 as well. Anything from 0-2 would be safe, with 0 scores being the best.

Good Luck with your search.

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D.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

unfortunately,you may not know unless you try the neutrogena sunscreen. watch also how much sun your son is getting. if they does not work right then call the doctors office or take him to the dermatologist. good luck.

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N.G.

answers from Allentown on

My daughter had the same experience with the Water Babies. We used it regualrlly with no problems & thean the next summer she had the same reaction your child had. I called the company & indeed they did change the formula. They added (increased)the oxybenzone to make the SPF higher. I had to try a few different brands before I found one that works. It's a green tea formula that can be found in the health stores or Wegmans. I also asked the health stores for samples before I bought new brands to try as you know it can get costly. Good Luck!

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L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My husband is allergic to the chemicals in regular sunscreen and has to use the zinc oxide stuff -- makes him look pale. Neutrogena sells some -- it is in a white bottle with a blue top and says that it is a no chemical sunscreen. Maybe that will help!

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A.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Same thing happened to my son...the Neutrogena Sensitive skin is the only one he can use. Well worth the $$.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Another vote for Aveeno.

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C.H.

answers from Allentown on

sounds more like an allergy to chlorine as i get that. Could be just too strong one day.

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R.G.

answers from Philadelphia on

S.--my little one and I have very sensitive skin. We have had reactions to sunscreens we have used the year before with no problem. It is very strange. I had a similar reaction to NO-AD Sunscreen a while back. Some of the sunscreens contain PABA or other additives that one may become allergic too....Here are some good ones to try...KISS MY Face paraben free sun spray SPF 30. Also try Weleda Children's sunscreen. Both of these are available at Whole Foods or online. Lastly...I just love BullFrog Sport Spray. I hope this helps...Seems some people just get a rash when they mix the heat from the sun on their skin treated with some allergic reaction causing chemicals. Good Luck.

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N.P.

answers from York on

My son and daughter also had reactions to coppertone for the first time this year, I'm not sure if they changed their formula but their reaction was the same as you are describing. I haven't figured out a solution yet either so I'm glad you asked! In our case we didn't go in the pool at all that day, I just knew we'd be at a nature preserve all day and wanted them protected!

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V.F.

answers from Scranton on

Traditional sunscreens contain a host of horrrible chemicals. There are some that think that they could actually be the cause for the rise in skin cancer. Try finding a natural sunscreen. Badger brand is one that I can think of. I wasn't real thrilled with the result of the Burt's bees one that I tried. There are several others. You can find some great brands at www.vitacost.com. You can read about some of the dangers at www.mercola.com

M.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Someone may have said this already, but we use coconut oil for all of our sunscreen needs, including our 1yo son. Works great, absorbs quickly, moisturizes at the same time, washes off easily, doesn't stain clothes.

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J.G.

answers from York on

my son had the same reaction to coppertone. I use Aveeno baby now, and he hasn't had a reaction with that.

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S.V.

answers from Philadelphia on

California Baby is all natural and I love it!

http://www.californiababy.com/

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S.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

California baby is supposed to be the least harmful sunscreen on the market. It has no chemicals, all natural ingredients. I recommend you try it. Target sells it. Its not available in all stores, so you may have to order it on line. Make sure you get fragrance free as fragrances can cause irritation.

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J.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

First, don't feel bad. It'd not like you knew he would have a reaction and put it on him anyway. I think you should look at the ingredients and compare to other sunscreens. I don't know but can you do an allergy test for this? I would call his pediatrician and tell them about this. Good luck!

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