1 year old reaction to Sunblock

My 13 month old daughter has had several reactions to different sunblocks, and we're getting concerned.

We first tried: Aveeno Baby. We took her to the beach, and she broke out in hives, and was clearly having an allergic reaction. We gave her Benedryl and called our Pediatrician, and he suggested that we try some completely chemical free products.

We next tried: Blue Lizard. This actually seemed to work pretty well a few times, but the 3rd time we used it, she appeared to be having the start of a reaction. Note: we were in a pool this time. The tip or her nose got red, the area around her mouth got a little red as well, and she had a runny nose. I felt like this may have just been a reaction to being in the chlorinated water of the pool for a while, but my wife feels like it was a reaction to the sunblock.

Last we tried Neutragena for Sensitive Skin, which is chemical free, and hypoallergenic. With this, she seemed to get a rash on her body. We've given her Benedryl each time she's had a reaction, but we're definitely concerned. We're trying to get her an appointment with a local dermatologist, but the soonest we can get is 1.5 months out. What would your recommended course of action be? Could the chlorine in the pool cause the symptoms we've witnessed? Such as the red nose, runny nose, and red around her mouth?

Thanks

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I doubt that either of the skin changes you've described are real reactions, in the sense of an allergy to the sunscreen (or anything else.)  First of all, sunscreen allergies consist of scaly patches of skin that take days to go away.  Runny noses aren't part of the package either.  Second, light-skinned kinds (and people) get all sorts of minor variations in their skin appearance that mean little or nothing.  Third, even if it was a minor irritant reaction of some sort, so what?  Those generally mean little and go away on their own without stopping the offending agent.  Plus, they're better than a sunburn.  Bottom line: use any sunscreen for kids, make a note of anything you think is a reaction--photography is best--and see if it doesn't just go away by itself.  Bring this information with you to the dermatologist.  

Covering up is much better than sunscreen in a baby anyway, of course, so use the sunblock just where necessary.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[goatgirl]

We had this same problem with our 3 yr. old son this summer.  We had been using a particular brand of sunscreen on him the last 3 summers with no problems at all, and then suddenly this summer he broke out in hives (especially on his face, ears and neck).  So we tried Banana Boat's Baby Magic (the spray-on kind), the label says "as mild as water," and so far have not had any problems.  We also purchased a solid stick type of sunscreen (kind of like a giant chapstick) for his face and ears just because it is easier to apply than the lotion, and have had no problems.  We have used the above sunscreens on our 18 month old as well and he has not had any negative reactions to these sunscreens either.  Hope this helps and that you find something that works for your daughter.

[Jeannie0008]

A related discussion, hives and sunscreen was started.

[squest]

A related discussion, allergic reactions to sunblocks was started.