Allergy To Sunscreen: Symptoms, Treatments and Prevention

Sunscreens usually contain chemicals that are known to cause allergic reactions in some people. The allergy can either be a contact allergy or photoallergy. Contact allergies are when you get an irritation where sunscreen was applied. A photoallergy is as a result of the interaction between sunlight and sunscreen chemicals.

If you are allergic, you might notice an adverse reaction when you first start using sunscreen or even after many years of use. Some of the symptoms include:

• Swelling

• Red skin

• Itching

• Fluid filled blisters

The symptoms will appear anywhere in your body where you have applied sunscreen or in the case of photoallergy, where your skin was exposed to the sun. This is normally on the face, back o the hands, arms, lower neck and upper chest.

PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic Acid)

This was among the first ingredients used in sunscreen. However, it has been dropped by most manufacturers due to its many side effects. It causes contact dermatitis and has a tendency to stain clothes. Some of the chemicals still in use to date that are closely related to PABA include padimate A and O. While many manufacturers label their products as hypo-allergic since they do not contain PABA, it is advisable to check whether there are any other PABA related ingredients. If you’re allergic to PABA, there is a high chance that you’re also allergic to sulfonamide (sulfa) and para-phenylenediamine.

Benzophenones

These have been in use for over 50 years now. They are one of the reasons why many people are allergic to sun screen. Benzophenones are the most common cause of contact dermatitis caused by sunscreen in the US. The chemical is also referred to as Eusolex 4360, oxybenzone, methanone, diphenylketone or Uvinal M40. You should also look out for any chemical in the ingredients ending with “-benzophenone”.

Cinnamates

Cinnamates are quite a rare ingredient. They are used as fragrances and flavorings in many home products including toothpaste and perfumes. Cinnamtes aare closely related to cinnamon oils, Balsam of Peru and cinnamic acid. If you are allergic to cinnamates, then you should also avoid these other chemicals. They are also referred to as Parsol MCX.

Salicylates

The first sunscreen ever used in the US was Benzyl Salicylate. Chemiclas falling under this group include homosalate and octyl salicylate. While there is a chance you could be allergic to sunscreen containing salicylates, it is often not the culprit.

Dibenzoylmethanes

Dibenzoylmethanes are often used in combination with other chemical absorbers in sunscreens. They first appeared in sunscreens in the US in 1997. They include chemicals such as Eusolex 8020 and avobenzone.

Octocrylene

Compared to the rest of the chemicals, octocrylene is relatively new. It is said to cause contact dermatitis and is very similar to cinnamates. It is often used along with cinnamate chemicals in many sunscreens.

The easiest way to avoid adverse reactions to sunscreens is to use products that do not contain allergy causing chemicals. The following tips can help a great deal if you are allergic to sunscreen:

1. Use organic sunscreens. They protect the skin by shielding it from UVB and UVA light whilst allowing it to breathe.

2. If you’re buying sunscreen for your kids, pick fragrance-free to avoid adverse reactions.

3. If you’re prone to getting heat rashes, you should limit your time in the sun. Whenever you’re outdoors sit in the shade or wear a wide brimmed hat. You can also take frequent showers or use ice packs on the areas that have been exposed to the sun.

4. Do not use waterproof sunscreens since they’re likely to cause heat rashes. Instead, use alcohol based water resistant sun block products. When exposed to the sun, the alcohol evaporates and leaves the s leaving little or no residue.

5. Doctors usually recommend that people use products that contain soothing ingredients such as calendula or aloe vera, which help soothe the skin. Avoid oil and gel based after-sun products since they clog the sweat glands. You should also steer clear of moisturizers since they have the same effect and will aggravate the allergic reactions.

Treatment

Even after taking all the above precautions, you can still get an allergic reaction to sunscreen. When it happens, you need to consult your doctor on the best course of action. Once they confirm that the adverse reaction is caused by sunscreen, they should prescribe cortisone based creams or antihistamines. If the adverse reaction doesn’t subside after treatment and the rash turns into pus filled Miliaria Pustulosa, you should consult a dermatologist.