sunburn worse due to sunscreen?

I rarely burn and rarely use sunscreen. I always go out the first time in the sun without sunscreen or a minial amount. If I do- its a 4 or 8 on my face and chest. I am allergic to PABA. As I child I used the PABA and got a terrible rash and burn.
I used an SFP 8 sunscreen (hawaiian tropic- over 1 yr old ) applied 2-3 times during a 6 hr stint at the beach where I live in NJ. I got the worst burn I have gotten....ever. I only burned in the places I put the sunscreen- shoulders, chest and face. I always use a lip screen- but didn't have any so I put the 8 on my lips and they burned badly. My question- is it possible that the sunscreen made me burn worse? I know it sounds crazy, but really... the places I didn't use it did not burn at all- forearms, hands and knees up- areas that were definately exposed.
Thanks!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It is very surprising that the area that you had applied the sunscreen got the sunburns while the other areas did not. It could be due to applying products which are one year old. Sunburn results when the amount of exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light source exceeds the ability of the body's protective pigment, melanin, to protect the skin.

Apply cool compresses on the area and take bath with cool (not very cold) water. Do not scrub your skin or shave your skin and use a soft towel and gently pat your skin dry. Also use a sunburn Over-The-Counter remedy containing aloe vera and a light moisturizer or a dusting powder to relieve chafing. You can apply silver sulfadiazine (1% cream) on the skin except face and see if it helps. If the symptoms still persist then you should consult a dermatologist and discuss the option of dermabrasion or laser resurfacing.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.