Itchy Red Bumps from the sun, sunscreen or tanning oil?

[asga]

My friend and I went away on vacation to the Bahamas in February of this year. After the first day of tanning my friend noticed that she had these itchy little red bumps all over her chest and neck areas. I didn't have them. The next day was cooler out so we didn't get much sun. However, I discovered that I too had these itchy red bumps all over my chest, neck and upper arms. These bumps got much worse every morning and the itch decreased just a little bit before 8 pm each night after the application of a lot of makeup.

We tried taking benadryl, cold shower, aloe and all kinds of itch creams from the store they had in the hotel. Nothing worked. Each day for 6 days the rash got worse. The rash spread to other areas (legs, stomach etc.) and became more red and bumpy.

We think it might be from the tanning oil we used?
I have only experienced a minor rash on my hand 7 years ago in florida using and spf 4 sunscreen. She experienced a minor rash in Aruba using the same tanning oil.

We frequently go in the sun and this was the first time this occurred so intensely.

What could this be? How can we cure it? How can we prevent it from happening?

[Mora80]

Omg I went to the beach sat and for the first time I used banana boat dry tanning oil spray and my whole body has itchy tiny bumps and hives and it's almost a week later. Sighs I thought this would go away but I may need to go to the dr. Smdh. I guess I need to write a complaint to banana boat never had this rash with no spray or Hawaiian tropics shouldve stuck to that.sighs

[PJTipp]

My forearms are broke out horrible.. Same too.. Regular tanner ..not light skinned.. At cape san blas Florida and take the sun seriously so as not to
Burn... Ran in cvs and purchased banana boat dry spray 30 and used the heck out of it all day Tuesday, especially on my arms.  Last night and all day today... Itchy and the more I scratch the more it produces welts. Only place I am really broke out is arms.  Banana boat REFUND!!  Thanks for info.

[beachnmb]

July 2015 I am experiencing the same raised red rash with the common denominator of banana boat suntan oil.  The rash is not in all areas which is strange and it is getting more itchy.   How long til it goes away?  I am on vacation and picked up a cream for dermatitis but if there is a better OTC that works fast I would love to know. Thanks

[BB__]

I used to tanning oil Sunday and today marks day 3 of having the rash. I've taken Benadryl the night before last and last night and have used alcohol on the areas that I have the rash which is arms, stomach and thighs. Should I see a doctor or keep taking the Benadryl and let it TRY and die out on it's own?

[Alwyslukn4help]

I have had this same thing for last 2 to 3 years always thinking it was sun poisoning, and finally decided to read up.  My chest usually always got it horribly now this year and last it is my upper arms and on my back.  I have used spf30 banana boat.  So it has tbe them.  I even asked my pharmacist about them and she was like omg my kids and I have the same thing, and she said she was assuming it was the sunscreen.  I will be telling her today about what I read.

[PdezPrince]

I had this exact rash!!! It went from my arms, and upper legs with very little rash showing, to being on my stomach and then it was on my chest and kept getting worse on my forearm and upper legs when i scratched it! Bananna Boat officially ***** with the tan oils!!