OK is this a really silly idea?

[Katymac]

I don't "catch" the sun & I never have

It's not a case of going red/pink/brown or anything - I just stay white (or beige as DD likes to say) my dad has always described my skin colour as uncooked biscuit dough

In 76 I had a pale smattering of freckles accross my shoulders after a 2 weeks beach holiday (aged 8) with no sun cream!!

When I had DD I decided that I should use sun cream as it would be the only way to make her....you know monkey see monkey do (I did the same with cycle helmets)

I have sensative skin so have always used a "good" brand - but at Christmas was persuaded to buy a new make used it and got slightly red shoulders (it's a factor 30 & I assumed Egypt sun was much stronger)

Today I used in on my arms, neck & chest while at a car boot sale (not my legs - tho' I was wearing shorts)

Everywhere I put it I have burnt and my legs/lower arms and face are fine - at first I thought this was 'cos they got more sun - but my hands are burnt too

Could the suncream have caused me to get burnt somehow?

It is a silly idea in't it....sorry

[chapsmum]

was the sun cream in date??
how long have you had it?

[marthamoo]

Is it definitely sun burn or is it an allergic reaction to the cream?

[Katymac]

I had it since December (I usually replace each year)

It could be a reaction but it is responding to lavender and aloe - so I assumed it was sunburn

I have been sunburnt once my mum has reminded me when I was 16/17 I was on antibiotics and the dr said to keep ou of the sun & I ignored him

I reall y hurt atm

[PrettyCandles]

It sounds like an allergic reaction to the suncream. It's unlikely that the cream would have lost all its protective properties since Xmas, and in any case you had a reaction when you used it that time. I know to my regret that some chemicals that are innocuous indoors or at night can cause you to react unpleasantly when exposed to sunshine.

If I were you I would stop using it at once. And, if you can, for this summer cover up rather than use sunscreen. If your skin has been sensitised you may just make things worse by using other sunscreens.

[MerlinsBeard]

are u reapplying it properly or just putting it on first thing?

Only asking coz our bodies do funny things when we have had children!

[Katymac]

It shouldn't be too much of a problem to cover up....I've not got the best figure for exposing

It will get better if I take a piriton if it is an allergy I guess - I better take one in case

After all this time of never burning it seems a bit sad

[Katymac]

Well I pt it on my upperarm & shoulder 3/4 times (worst burn)
I washed my hands after each time (least burn)

Neck & chest 2/3 times (sort of in the middle)

legs no cream no burn

I was in the sun for 2.5 hrs

[Katymac]

Can I take piriton & paracetamol together?

[Katymac]

What the H*ll I took both anyway

[PrettyCandles]

AFAIK, yes.

In case this is an allergic reaction (and you'll know, if the piriton has an effect) don't use anything fragranced to soothe your skin. I find that it's best not to put anything on my skin while the reaction is at its worst, but when it has started calming down then the sorts of creams suitable for soothing excema work well.

[Katymac]

OK I know it must be coincidence - but my arms are burning much less now

Paracetamol or piriton (or psycosomatic?)

[PrettyCandles]

Psychosomatic - the drugs don't work quite so fast.

[Katymac]

That's what I thought....

[Tommy]

this happened to DS1 when he was about 6m. I was really embarrassed that he'd got sunburnt and phoned the HV to confess (first child - I was anxious about such things )
Nest day - put a load of cream on the same - and came up all red again - knew he had a reaction to it that time so went back to Johnsons which seems to be fine for him.

[Katymac]

I'm fairly certin it was an allergic reaction - there is very little redness in my skin atm and virtually no soreness

Last night it was livid and looked about to blister - so I need to find a new suncream (or go back to Nivea)

[Sugarmag]

My friend's dd has allergic reactions to suncream except for Simple. Anything else and her skin comes up red & hot & puffy. Looks quite a lot like sunburn.