to think that smearing chemicals on my children every day would do them more damage than the sun?

[morningpaper]

I feel terrible smearing chemicals all over my children and then terrible sending them into the sun with no sunscreen on.

Which is worse? I seem to go through phases of using creams and watching them spend days covered in rashes and itching like mad, and then weeks when I do nothing and feel guilty about that instead.

I've tried lots of brands and really can't afford to keep trying them and finding them useless after a day because they sting the children or make them half-blind with allergies and itching.

[whoisasking]

Have you spoken to your GP or pharmacist to find a hyper allergenic sunscreen which may prevent the allergic reactions?

And you know the answer to your question really. Of COURSE YABU. Skin cancer is a very very real threat.

[Casserole]

What about UV suits MP? I think they come in "normal" (ish) T-shirt and shorts combos these days rather than just the wetsuit type ones.... Obviously wouldn't cover all of them but would at least cut down on the areas needing applying.

Have you tried posting in the allergy section to see if anyone's found anything that works for children with sensitive skin? I know you're an old hand here so sorry if I'm suggesting stuff you've tried.

Poor you, and poor them.

[pagwatch]

MP
my son has ASD and reacts badly to all sorts of chemicals. He is also ( unlike the rest of us) very very pale and burns easily.
I get his suntan lotions at the local health food shop. Green people is pretty good.
I don't think it is any more expensive than other brands and it works for him - and he does react really easily.
There is another good one - Jason something I think - I will find the name and post it.

I know they are expensive but I am way happier knowing that he won't be itchy and hyper and he will be better protected from the sun
(especially as he is the frequently naked 12 year old in the naked thread . His naked trampolining is a particular crowd pleaser - especially as he jumps so high you can see him over the fence. It is like acrobatic flashing. Who says men can't multi task )

[sphil]

I know exactly what you mean MP. I tend to make sure they're covered up, sit in the shade and apply the minimum amount possible -this is mainly with DS2, who has eczema. They've never burnt - but it does mean constant vigilance and moving from place to -place as the sun moves - which is a pain!

[Alibabaandthe40nappies]

It's horrid if they are allergic, but there are ones that you could get on prescription which might help.

Please please don't let them spend too much time outdoors without cream. A few minutes is fine, they need a little exposure to get some vitamin D, but not much more than 10 mins per day.

Other than that long sleeved clothes and a big hat!

[BonsoirAnna]

MP - you are quite right to be worried about the chemicals in sunscreen. Buy very good quality sunscreens only and use them parsimoniously.

Covering up with clothing and hats and sunglasses is a much better policy.

[morningpaper]

They seem to be like me, although they are pale they don't tend to burn or go red

They are generally naked in the garden, they don't want clothes on

I have spoken to the GP but he just mumbles on about trying different brands

[silverfrog]

I go fro the cover-up approach - long (lightweight) trousers, and linen type smocks.

Then at least it si only hands/neck/face (and face wise I use sunhats, which both girls are surprisingly good at keeping on)

I cannot use chemical stuff on dd1 (reacts to all sorts of stuff), and so this is the only way...

Mind you, am finding it tricky to find light smock type tops with long sleeves for her (she's 5ish) - they are all strappy tops etc. Thankfully dd2 is still tiny, so fits inot baby clothes, where the attitude of cover-up with clothes not chemicals is more widespread.

I found some UV'd clothes the other day - Spotty otter, I think the make was - any good to you?

[morningpaper]

they do wear hats

they are generally naked with hats

[littlelamb]

I find it a complete misnomer when people say 'chemicals'. You cover yourself in chemicals every day, from your shampoo, deodorant, perfume, make up, you drink your diet coke....
I have covered mine up in long sleeves too but given the choice I would always put suncream on.

[morningpaper]

sunscreen companies should really provide free samples shouldn't they

[silverfrog]

your only ooptions are clothes or creams, tbh.

I'd get tough - wear clothes, or no garden.

[BonsoirAnna]

littlelamb - many chemical agents in sunscreens are known carcinogens and pharmaceutical companies are working on finding less toxic alternatives.

[silverfrog]

er, actually, littlelamb, I don't

all soaps, shampoos, deoderants, even cleaning products in our house are artficial chemical free (or as reduced as is humanly possible)

this isn't just some crusade I wage against suncreams - dd1 really cannot tolerate any "chemicals", and we go to great lengths to avoid exposing her.

[morningpaper]

the Body Shop used to do one type which they both were fine with - but it is now discontinued. I bought their remaining stock but we are now out of it...

They are also in and out of the water/sprinklers/waterslide CONSTANTLY

[spicemonster]

I have a very bad allergic reaction to sun exposure but burned skin is much worse. Uvistat and Piz Buin anti-allergy don't cause me a reaction.

They didn't have those UV suits when I was a kid though or I would have worn those. Incidentally my allergy is much exacerbated by salt water drying on my skin (and salt in the air) so you might want to avoid beach holidays

[morningpaper]

silverfrog - here too, we don't use any soaps/shampoos/creams on the children (or on DH) as they react to everything

[belgo]

Hats are important

Littlelamb, many of us are aware of chemicals in daily life and steer clear of them as much as possible.

[littlelamb]

Silverfrog, that wasn't directed at anyonein particular. I just find the attitude on here over the last few days towards suncream very surprising, thats all. But obviously I need to educate myself a bit more because I had no idea they contain carcinogens

[BonsoirAnna]

This product is without any doubt at all the very best foaming cleanser for sensitive/dry skins.

[silverfrog]

dd1 is ASD, mp, and reacts shockingly to most things. we have had great success with reducing her "chemical load", and she is now far more interactive/aware of her (and us in relation to her) etc.

the Spotty Otter clothing is like outdoors gear - dies on you in an instant, etc.

or use sun suits - dd1 lived in hers when we went to Portugal - if you buy a size too big, they cover to mid-forearm, and mid-shin (ish, dd1 has short legs ), and are more or less like wearing a swimming costume.

[christiana]

Message withdrawn

[expatinscotland]

i use UltraSun on DD1. she is pale as a lilly and also reacts to nearly everything. she's allergic to SLS and even normal toothpaste gives her a rash.

[silverfrog]

ooh, thought you'd found one that had passed me by there, Anna, but sadly, dd1 can't have xylitol, or SLS, or any fragrances...

we use Urtekram products (the unscented ones), and I found an interesting site the other day with loads of cocnut oil based products - will have a dig around... (cocnut oil is the best stuff around - can use it for everything form eating to moisturiser)

sorry, littlelamb, if I snapped, but you'd be surprised how often people say something like that, as htough I am unaware of what chemicals go into daily products, and just have a fanatical hatred of sunscreen, or bubblebath, or diet coke, etc

[morningpaper]

Where do you get that from expat? I can't find any stockists near me (one is named on the site, but they don't exist)

Have ordered two samples from the Greenpeople.

Cannot justify stupidly priced UV clothing