We know what sunscreen Ds is allergic to ... Whoop

[GlaikitFizzog]

Octocrylene also known as eusolex OCR.

So far every ingredient list I have checked includes this. Anyone here have experience of this, and what sunscreen did you use instead.

The reading I've done suggests it can also be in certain cosmetics, so I guess it's a case of checking everything first.

[Seeline]

No answer I'm afraid but as a fellow sufferer how did you find out it was that exact ingredient?

[GlaikitFizzog]

Patch tests. The dermatologist was sure it was just an irritation, but the tests show an allergy. He said it rare, but becoming more common.

You have my sympathies, DSs reaction was scary with swelling on his face and eyes and an itch that drove him mad. It appears to be common in childrens sunscreens, so might have to look outside that range.

[Pseudonymity]

Oh good you found out. I have a sunscreen allergy that is quite severe. Started suddenly in my v early twenties, don't know if that coincided with a certain ingredient being used but I can't use ones that are marked 'sensitive' (bitter experience) and was told by the derm that it would be impossible to find out what the ingredient was...

Have you checked E45 one and Simple?

[GlaikitFizzog]

Funnily enough this one is fairly new and is on the ingredient list of ever cream I've found marked "hypoallergenic" so far! Typical!

I didn't know e45 and simple did sunscreens! Will check them out. Thank you.

[Seeline]

DS uses the Simple ones as he is prone to react to some.
I was sent to an allergy clinic by my GP and they said it was impossible to find out what caused an allergy to sunscreen. I've spent the last 10 years cowering in the shade...
It's great that you have managed to isolate the cause - now just to find hte right one!

[GlaikitFizzog]

I've checked Nivea and that's out, ambre solaire is out. There is one own brand one in boots but its only SPF6.

I probably shouldn't be getting to worried right now. We live in Scotland where the sun hasn't shone for months! I'd just like to know there is a cream out there he can use if we decide to go abroad this summer!

[Pseudonymity]

Yes one of the reasons it's hard to find out is because it can be phototoxicity - I.e. you become allergic to the ingredient when it reacts to sunlight.

[GlaikitFizzog]

Simple is out too! This could be pointless!

[browneyesblue]

What about mineral (physical barrier) sunscreens? These are usually better for people with allergies than chemical sunscreens - I'm allergic to a different sunscreen ingredient, but these are fine for me.

I googled and found www.greenpeople.co.uk/no-scent-childrens-sun-lotion-spf25-150ml.aspx which I don't think has your problem ingredient, but there are loads of physical barrier sunscreens out there. I'd forget about the chemical ones if I were you.

[browneyesblue]

Ultrasun looks okay too: www.expresschemist.co.uk/Ultrasun-Reflex-30-Physical-Sunscreen.html

[freefrommum]

We use Sunsense Sunsensitive as is has no chemical absorbers, looks as though it should be OK for your DS too: www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/sunsense-sunsensitive-spf50%2B-p2844.html

[GlaikitFizzog]

Thank you browneyesblue and freefrommum there are exactly what I need! My friend has said her Liz Earle sunscreen should be ok too, so I can rest easy now knowing they are put there! Now just to decide where to go on holiday!