sunblock on lips

Starting about a month ago, every time I put sunscreen on my lips (either chapstick types or regular creams), I get a terrible taste inside my lips and on my tongue that doesn't go away for hours and sometimes days, and makes everything, but especially sweet things, taste like shampoo. No swelling or itching, just this terrible taste that is constant, whether I am eating or not. Sometimes the taste is especially on the tip of my tonge, sometimes all over, and sometimes running all the way to the back of my throat. If I have the taste and happen to wash my hair, without getting any water or shampoo in my mouth, the taste gets stronger. Anyway, I would like to know how to make the taste go away, and also if this is a common reaction to over the counter sunscreens, and if so, how to protect my lips from sunburn, since I spend a couple of hours outside everyday in California.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I am not familiar with this reaction, never having encountered it.  The only thing it occurs to me to suggest is to put sunscreen on your lips only in the form of a sunscreen-containing lip balm, rather than a cream or lotion intended for the skin.

The taste should go away completely at some point, once your mouth is no longer exposed to regular sunscreen.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[badtastingblock]

A related discussion, Sunblock was started.