Skin allergy from suncream in 2yr old?

[boo64]

Hi

Since we started using sun cream on ds's skin a few weeks back he has had spots on his face - quite red with some white centres in some.

He doesn't have this anywhere else. It starts getting a bit better then gets slightly worse again even though we haven't used any sun cream for over a week (given the cr*p weather!)

Anyone else got experience of this or any clues on what the problem is? Are there any non-allergenic sun creams out there?

I could take him to the GP BUT the rash isn't itchy or bothering him at all and he has no other symptoms so I feel it is a bit minor for a GP appt.

[Dandi]

suncream seems to make my dds excema worse, so I went to Boots and they recommended the Simple and E45 brands of suncream. We've tried them and they seem to be better - don't know whether they would be any good for your ds

[TooTicky]

This is excellent. No chemical rubbish, really gentle.

[mosschops30]

was it Soltan, lots of people react to this (including me) however I can wear any other suncream HTH

[boo64]

It was Nivea for kids - with the colour in it.

I have fairly sensitive skin and e.g am quite allergic to fake tan - gives me blistery spots on my legs - so maybe he takes after me poor chap.

Will try E45 or simple I think. But I kind of wish there was some sun to try it under right now!

[Washersaurus]

We found that suncream aggravated DS' eczema rash so we switched to E45 Sun factor 50 suncream from Boots - fairly expensive but we haven't had any problems with it so far.

[Pimmpom]

Is it just his face that reacted?

I usually use sun cream especially for the face and put that on ds's. He used Asda face cream spf30 and my Avon anti-ageing bronze cream spf30 on his face and didn't react. They are lighter than creams for all the body.

[boo64]

It is just on his face yes. It's not like standard eczema - more like good old-fashioned zits really - but quite red and clustered. He does get a little eczema too elsewhere though

[Furball]

If you go to your local health shop there are quite a few non chemical sun creams about. Try giving those a go. They are much more natural Jason stuff is always good

[Sugarmagnolia]

my friend's dd is allergic to suncream and uses simple

[boo64]

Hi

Do you know what sort of reaction your friend's dd had - if a rash what did it look like roughly? Knowing might help me get to the bottom of whether it is suncream causing this - not 100% sure yet.

[luciemule]

I'm allergic to most 'sensitive' suncreams and even putting it onto my kids makes my hands flare up terribly so I try just to cover up or stay out of the sun - with kids too, although they seem more tolerant.Try to get a non-perfumed one.

[haggisaggis]

My dd goes bright red if we use "sensitive" suncream on her - but is fine with Avon kids!

[boo64]

Ds got zits basically - red and some with a white centre. They have lingered for quite a long time after we stopped using the cream (ha like he needs suncream in this sh*t weather anyway!!)

Would be interested if this sounds like the kind of reaction any of you/ your dcs had.

Lucie - sounds a bit like it's going to have to be a trial and error thing for me to find one that's ok for him...

[boo64]

Hi

Tooticky I've ordered the organic one - thanks for the tip - hope that solves it.

I tried a face sun cream and that didn't help so it is probably some sort of standard active ingredient in most suncreams that is the problem.

[Nemo2007]

Hi if the one you have ordered doesnt work then try Aveeno suncream. All my children have reactions to every other suncream and DD1 has bad excema. I ordered 3 tubes for £10 from america on ebay where here it is £10 for one tube. Not a single sign of any irritation here.

[boo64]

Well I used the organic one today and sadly the rash flared up worse again. It really annoyed dh who says he is 'banning suncream' and why can't I just keep ds out of the sun. Well I could if ds and I have zero social life.

I don't let him out in the sun at lunchtime anyway as he naps still but at some stage he won't anymore and whilst I would still avoid sun exposure in the middle of the day we need to solve this.

Seeing the Gp tomorrow to organise a dermatologist appointment.

[lisa34]

Hi Boo64, my son had this problem with sun cream - eventually we found out that he was allergic to lanolin which is found in alot of sun creams. I've found 2 which are lanolin free. Boot's own suncream it is a green lotion and kids suncream from Avon. We haven't had any more problems since we have been using these. Hope you get sorted soon.

[boo64]

Hi
Went to the GP who says it is ezcema - even though it is not dry. He didn't say we should stop using suncream or change brand. I am surprised at this. I amgoing to do what he suggested and use lots of moisturiser even though the skin isn't dry and see what happens to the rash. Those of you who know about ezcema does that sound right? It just seems strange to me to keep moisturising skin that isn't dray and is spotty??

[lisa34]

What moisturiser did he tell you to use? E45 is not a good one to use if he is lanolin allergic - I get mine for ds from the doctors - it's called creamy parafin - there's nothing in it - it's really good - ds rash cleared up in no time. Good luck and keep us posted with his progress

[crayon]

DS is similar and I find that if he wears a long sleeved shirt and legionnaire's hat, there is little area left to put the cream on. We use E45 which was recommended by a eczema nurse.

[boo64]

Hi

We've put 1% steroid cream on the rash about 3 times now and it is almost gone. I definitely want to minimise use of this cream though as it's not good for them apparently (does anyone know why?)

After that I will try E45 suncream.

I am lucky because ds has quite olivey skin so at least I don't have to worry quite as much about the sun as if he was as white as a sheet like I am! Not that I'll take any chances of him getting sun damage but a few mins won't burn him the way it could others.

[crayon]

I think steroid cream over a large area for a large duration time can cause thinning of the skin - that's why it is used with caution.

Glad to hear he is getting better.