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?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination it is very difficult to confirm a diagnosis, but the symptoms are suggestive of prickly heat(malaria) or sweat dermatitis. Prickly heat (miliaria) is an itchy skin rash caused by trapped sweat. It tends to occur on areas of the body where skin touches skin, such as under the breasts, on the inner thighs, and under the arms. Tiny red spots with itching and pricking sensation are the characteristic appearance of this rash.

Avoid using any lotions and creams for the meantime. Use a mild cleanser with moisturizing properties like Cetaphil. Also use cotton clothes and change the clothes twice if there is any increased sweating.Try keeping the skin free of sweat as far as possible. If the symptoms still persist then you can apply mild steroid like dermacort.For the itching antihistaminics like Benadryl or Claritin can be taken.

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 doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[asga]

Thank you for taking the time to comment on my post.

The prickly malaria sounds possible. I also read about contact dermatitus?
We have been in the sun at the beach every weekend this summer and the rash has never returned. I have also been on tropical vacations every March for the last 5 years.
I cannot understand why this time we both got this rash.
The only thing I did differently was use the Banana Boat spf 4 tanning oil.

[asga]

Also, the rash is an area usually the size of my rand that looked raised and red which increased intensely if scratched.

[nae0085]

I got the very same rash.  I am pretty sure it is honestly the banana boat oil.  I've used tanning oil for years, and laid out with or without lotion; yet, never had this reaction to the sun or oil.  The rash started on my arms one day, spread to my legs, neck, and finally stomach.  There really wasn't any way to stay out of the sun because I only have five days in Hawaii, and honestly, I wasn't about to stay in my hotel room..  I finally had to go to the doctor and get a shot and steroid cream.  The rash got really scary! The shot and cream worked though.  Defintely won't be using the product again!

[AndreA793279]

OMG, my daughter and I have the same rash on our shins. She is naturally of much darker skintone than I, so the fact that we both have the same rash in the same place was puzzling. HOWEVER, we both used the banana boat spf 4 tanning oil!

Guess what's goin in the trash?

--Andrea

[jeb2012]

My wife has recently used a banana boat tanning oil as well which is the only thing we can think of that could be causing an itchy red rash that has been spreading and medicine and creams arent working

[maggie958]

I have the same thing!!! Just used Banana Boat tanning oil the last couple of days and I have an itchy rash on my stomache, chest, the top of my arms, and the top of my thighs. Definitely won't be using their tanning lotion again.

~MM
http://maggiemaeijustsaythis.wordpress.com/

[Melissajaclyn]

I just used the same banana boat spf 4 oil and same thing. Itchy red bumps a rash on my chest only! I used that oil before but not since last summer when i bought hawiian tropic. I must of used it all in mexico cause i couldnt find it.
I do not have this rash anywhere else and i put the oil on my legs and arms. It is so itchy on my chest :(

[arieshelena]

That is so weird that banana boat would give red bumps like that! I have the same thing right now my arms and chest are coved and it itches so badly!! I will not be using banana boat anymore!

[Dimason1987]

I have this rash after using banana boat spf4 oil!!!  Just awful!  Aloe hasn't done anything!  So glad I researched and found others had this. Thought I had sun poison! I am regular tanner-tanning bed good base tan.  First sunny weekend.  Rash is every where I put oil.  Took claritan and used Benadryl gel tonight. Hope it helps!

[Stella89]

This is really really bizarre... I have the same rash all over my legs and arms. I was in the sun all day and got a little sunburnt and I was applying coconut oil (which I have been using for a few years now) the next day. The following day when I could get to the shops I bought the Banana boat after sun aloe mist and then all of a sudden the next morning I had these bumps over my body.
It sounds to me that Banana boat is putting harsh chemicals and other odd ingredients that are not good for your skin at all.
I will be stopping use of all banana boat products from now on.

[1899]

I have the same rash...going on day 6....how long did it take for your rash to clear up? What helps...I have tried almost everything!
Thank you!

[kimmyb16]

Just cam back from vacation and used Banana Boat 15 oil spray and I am going crazy scratching myself!! of my knees is the worst as well as my legs and arms! What is in this stuff??????

[Dene999]

Yep same here, I'm currently living in St. Maarten and have been here for months with no problems until my sun protection ran out and i bought some Banana Boat spray oil, now I'm covered in itchy (understatement) red blotches and guess what...nothing works!! been trying to stay out of the sun but here?? impossible!! It is 100% the Banana Boat!!!

[ariannaag]

I've been super itchy for the past two days after spending three days on the beach with the banana boat tanning oil - but it doesnt sound too similar to what any of you have. It's only on my chest/lower neck, and isn't noticeable until I itch it, and then lots of weird welt/hive type things start popping up. I don't have small red bumps, just the welt-type things, and my skin doesn't really look burnt, only tanned. Does anyone else have similar symptoms?

[vicki147]

Do you use the Banana Boat dry oil spray?

[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!!

[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.

[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?

[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

[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.

[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

[Mora80]

How are you getting a refund i need to do this as well

[Mora80]

Yes I have the exact same thing, I really want to know how to get rid of it, after one week im losing my mind. Im omw to work and besides this my allergies are kicking my *** so I took allegra meant to get some hydro cortisone for this crazyyy invasive rash or i may resort to some calamine tomm. Sighs